The 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota AB, Japan, airlifted 10,000 pounds of water and 100 air conditioning units to the Japanese prefecture hit by the July 16 earthquake, reports SrA. Veronica Pierce. The US Ambassador to Japan, Thomas Schieffer, and Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, US Forces Japan commander, flew with the supplies to meet with Japanese officials. Schieffer called the airlift a “small gesture to say thank you” for Japan’s help during Hurricane Katrina.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.