5th AF commander takes to the skies one last time

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  After flying with the U.S. Air Force for 33 years, the 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan commander, flew the F-16 for a final time Feb. 6, at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright flew in a four-ship formation with wing leadership, while the 35th Fighter Wing stood in formation along the flightline.

The general's first introduction to Air Force aircraft came when he flew in the T-33.

"Pilot training and my early flying career became the absolute best part of my life and I could never imagine doing anything else," the general wrote in his last flying operations and safety message as an operational U.S. Air Force commander.

During his career, General Wright led the 35th Fighter Wing.

From 1997 to 1998, he served as the commander of Misawa Air Base and was able to work with the late Mayor Shigeyoshi Suzuki, who inspired events like "Japan Day" and "American Day" where 80,000 residents merge annually with American families to share in each other's culture.

While in command at Misawa, General Wright has credited successes to the late Mayor and during his visit, he was able to take part in a dedication ceremony here of the new "Suzuki Room at the base's Collocated Club."

Mayor Suzuki was Misawa City mayor for more than two decades and laid the foundation for strong relations between the base and local area. The General was able to pay a visit to the current mayor, Mayor Kazumasa Taneichi, who he admires as well.

"I am so appreciative to Misawa City - Misawa is ichiban (number one)," said General Wright to members of the Misawa City Press Corps.

"We will always do our best to be with you. We look at you as the flight lead and we are with you in everything you do," said the general to the Mayor.

Before departing Misawa for the final time, the general spoke to Airmen of the wing.

"No words can describe what great human beings you all are," he said. "It has been an honor to be with the warriors that are committed to an enduring presence in Japan."

The general also spoke about Airmen he met along the way as well as the unparalleled trust within the family of the Air Force.

"There is no organization where you can walk up and know this ... that you can trust them with your life. That's what we are all about. That's who we are. That's the one thing I want to thank you for," he said.

General Wright will have a change of command ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan in late February. He is scheduled to retire in April.