YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp was celebrated by Airmen, Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors in joyful farewells last week as he prepares to relinquish command of U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force.
Rupp was inducted into the Pacific Air Forces Order of the Sword on Oct. 4, becoming the seventeenth leader to be inducted in the order.
In the Air Force, the Order of the Sword remains the highest honor presented by the enlisted corps to a senior-ranking officer and is maintained by the command chief master sergeant of the designated command. Induction into the Order of the Sword is recognition of the enlisted force’s firm belief that an officer is an outstanding military leader.
“Lt. Gen. Rupp embodies and exemplifies all aspects of the Air Force Core Values while maintaining a strong identity with Air Force ‘Family’,” said Chief Master Sgt. Shaun Campbell, 5AF command chief.
During the ceremony Campbell noted his appreciation for Rupp’s emphasis on Airmen.
“True leaders are rare, but it is even more rare to find one who so naturally exemplifies the principles of servant leadership. Servant leadership demands placing the needs of others—your people, your mission—above personal ambition,” said Campbell. “It calls for a heart of selflessness and a mindset of deep empathy. A servant leader carries the torch for those who cannot always speak for themselves, and you have done just that.”
Rupp commanded USFJ and 5AF from August 2021 to October 2024. During his tenure he worked to improve the quality of life for all status of force agreement personnel and their families. He collaborated closely with service components and the Department of Defense Education Activity to have 5AF and USFJ lead a number initiatives that occurred only in the Pacific. Those initiative like conditional enrollment, the Universal Pre-K pilot program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and middle/high school performance reports helped to improve the quality of life for Airmen and their families, becoming yet another highlight of Rupp’s contributions to the enlisted force.
Rupp advocated for improved access to both medical care and emergency medical care for the SOFA members. Under his command an operational planning team consisting of medical providers and subject matter experts from the service components developed recommendations ranging from improving emergency medical dispatch services and reviewing unit aeromedical capability to standardizing civilian hiring announcements.
Those actions did not go unnoticed or unappreciated by the senior enlisted leaders of USFJ and 5AF.
During a farewell lunch Chief Master Sgt. Leon Calloway, USFJ command chief reflected on Rupp’s impact quoting Mother Teresa’s, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples,” and emphasizing the positive ripple effect that Rupp’s leadership has had across the force.
While always prioritizing service members and their families first, Rupp significantly enhanced the United States-Japan alliance. During his tenure he championed increased security cooperation between the United States and Japan. Assuming command amid the intricate strategic landscape in Japan during the novel coronavirus disease pandemic in August 2021, Rupp demonstrated exceptional leadership by prioritizing alliance management and swiftly reorienting his headquarters to address the pandemic's impact. Rupp maintained close coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and fostered clear and consistent communication with the Government of Japan, thereby strengthening the alliance between the two nations.
Rupp’s direct, personal interaction with senior Japanese military and civilian leaders, along with senior Department of State and Department of Defense leaders, has made USFJ and 5 AF more effective instruments of national policy during a period of unprecedented change in the Indo-Pacific.
All his actions have culminated in this celebration of his leadership and impact, and his induction into the PACAF Order of the Sword.
“The Order of the Sword is a rare form of recognition from Air Force enlisted men and women to an officer or senior leader. This ceremony to recognize and honor Lt. Gen. Rupp is made even rarer by having enlisted men and women from the other branches of service attend and participate,” said Calloway. “It is truly unique to be able to recognize Lt. Gen. Rupp with the Order of the Sword in a joint environment with enlisted men and women from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast guard and Space Force in attendance. It truly highlights him as a ‘Leader amongst Leaders’. It is a special event for Lt. Gen. Rupp as well as the enlisted force and we are proud to have served with him.”
Lt. Gen. Rupp will relinquish command of USFJ and 5AF to U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost on October 8th.