YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The Air Force Junior ROTC headquarters recently awarded three Defense Department schools in the Pacific with top honors.

Air Force Junior ROTC commanders at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., named Yokota High School and Kadena High School on Okinawa distinguished units and Osan American High School in South Korea an outstanding unit.

The instructors at Yokota, retired Lt. Col. Gary Ardo and retired Master Sgt. Marc Renta, were also noted by Maxwell commanders for excellent performance during the school year.

“These cadets have all worked so hard this year and we are particularly proud to see three of our 12 units recognized for their achievements in the classroom and community,” said Phillip Norris, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who oversees Junior ROTC programs at base schools in the Pacific.

Air Force Junior ROTC programs are located in 884 high schools across the U.S. and at selected schools in Europe, Asia and outlying U.S. territories. Some 117,000 cadets are enrolled in the program, according to a Maxwell Air Force Base news release.

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