To facilitate communication among top U.S. military leaders in Japan, Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright is hosting his first installation commander’s conference in June at Yokota Air Base.
Wright, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander since February, intends the conference to be a forum for commanders to exchange information and discuss issues of mutual interest, said USFJ spokesman Col. Victor Warzinski.
“Come up with common problems, common issues,” he said. “The idea is, we’re trying to find common ground.”
The conference, tentatively scheduled for June 1, involves a half-day of meetings. Previous USFJ commanders have hosted similar conferences, but Wright would like to hold them quarterly and rotate them among bases, Warzinski said.
In keeping with his top three priorities as USFJ commander, Wright will seek feedback on areas USFJ can assist commanders with, as well as discuss ways to strengthen U.S.-Japan joint and bilateral defense capabilities and promote better relations with local communities and mayors, Warzinski said.
With a nod to budget constraints, at a time when military commands are limiting temporary duty and other travel, “we’re working very hard to make sure this is an effective use of people’s time,” Warzinski said.
“We are experiencing a time of change and a time of real progress within the alliance … as we try to focus our efforts to work more effectively with our Japanese counterparts and better train, equip and posture our forces,” he said. “It’s helpful to sit down on occasion and get a sense of where we are and where we need to be. Face-to-face communication is still the most effective way to do things.”
Wright also wants to communicate with service and support agencies, such as the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Defense Commissary Agency and Department of Defense Dependents Schools, Warzinski said, “in trying to address and resolve issues of concern.” Agency representatives may be invited to one of the meetings, depending on the agendas.
Warzinski noted Wright recently hosted his first component commander’s conference with top brass from 5th Air Force, Commander Naval Forces Japan, U.S. Army Japan and Marine Forces Japan. Issues discussed, he said, included realignment, force restructuring and the need to develop close, continuing and improving relationships with local mayors and community leaders.
