More from Chitose AB

(The author, Major Marcelo Morales, is currently on temporary duty at Chitose Air Base)

As a staff officer with Det 1, one of my primary duties is to coordinate Aviation Training Relocation (ATR) events in support of USFJ.
During an ATR, either US Air Force or Marine Corps aircraft "deploy" to a JASDF base to conduct bilateral training. I'm also an F-15 instructor pilot and get to train with the Japanese pilots.

In the video, Hatada-san from the 2nd wing PA shop took some of us to a sushi restaurant for lunch. I've lived in Japan for almost a year now, but I never knew why ginger is served with your food...

Hatada-san explained that the Japanese use ginger to "rinse the palate" between pieces of sushi so that you can enjoy the full flavor of each dish. He was gracious enough to give us an expert demonstration. The bad news -- I don't like ginger!

In this picture, I'm getting ready for a public affairs event with the local media and local government officials. It has been several years since USAF F-15s have flown at Chitose, and this was the first time as an ATR event. The room was full, and I'm not accustomed to speaking in front of cameras, but Beth and Sayaka prepared me well.