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even Japan Air Self Defense Force noncommissioned officers recently traded work secrets with USAF counterparts at Kadena Air Base on the island of Okinawa, Japan. The bilateral exchange program with the JASDF featured airmen in specialties ranging from air traffic control to F-16 maintenance. Each Japanese NCO worked with a Kadena NCO in a matched career field during the 10-day program, one of dozens of exchanges that have been set up since 1996 with Air Force and Japanese units. In February, Kadena sent six of its NCO’s to Nyutabaru Air Base to work with JASDF colleagues at the F-15 Eagle base.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.