Kadena members receive Okinawa Police recognition

  • Published
  • By Mr. Ed Gulick
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Three 18th Security Forces Squadron members were recognized today at a ceremony at the Okinawa Police station by the senior superintendent for their actions in detaining an inebriated local national.

Officers Hiroyuki Miyagi, Senior Airman Jeremy Hammer and Airman First Class Marlyn Pereyra received certificates of appreciation along with engraved glass awards from Okinawa Police senior superintendent Seiei Ishiara.

All three were recognized for their role in detaining two local contractors attempting to gain access to Kadena with an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.

"I'm very glad you recognized and reported this DUI incident and that we have good cooperation with Kadena on criminal investigations," Ishiara said.

Ishiara formally presented the recognition to each member and then all sat in his office for an informal discussion.  He asked each about the training to become a military police officer, their perceptions of relations with local law enforcement and if they had any suggestions for improving relations.

"I'm really honored to be here and to receive this recognition," Airman Pereyra said.

Airman Hammer said the recognition was unexpected, and that they just reported the incident to local authorities.

Airman Pereyra was on scene at Gate 1 when she noticed two Japanese contractors switching seats so that the driver would be the passenger. She attempted to communicate with them and also noticed an open bottle in the vehicle.

Unable to speak Japanese, she called over Miyagi, a native Japanese speaker, and relayed what she had seen.  She asked him to question the contractors.

Miyagi was able to discern that the open bottle with a Japanese label was alcohol and that the two individuals had switched drivers.

Airman Hammer was the Gate 1 supervisor at the time and went to the scene to coordinate and relay information about the situation to the Kadena Law Enforcement desk.

The two individuals were detained and handed over to Okinawa Police.

Their Airmen's flight chief, Master Sgt. Brent Stiefel, was at the ceremony and said:  "I'm glad they were down there (at Gate 1) doing their job well and I'm glad they are finding things that aren't supposed to be on base."