JASDF Crews To Use Boeing's KC-767J Refueling Tanker

Three members of the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) completed a four-month training program in the US, making them the first boom operators in their military.

The boom operator sits in the back of the tanker and operates the controls connecting the refueling boom to the receiver.

"I'm proud to be one of the first three students from Japan to complete this training," said Technical Sergeant Masaaki Takahashi.

Master Sergeant Randy Kawasaki, Master Sergeant Etsuro Mizokami and Technical Sergeant Masaaki Takahashi were selected from JASDF headquarters because of their previous experience as aircraft loadmasters.

Then they attended a three-week basic boom operator training course at Altus AFB, OK before heading to Travis AFB, CA. There, they trained with 60th Air Mobility Wing airmen earning their basic KC-10 Boom Operator qualification.

According to Mr. Earl Winders, assistant aircrew training manager, the students begin with computer-based training, then move on to simulator training with the KC-10 boom simulator. The final phase of training is actual in-flight refueling under the supervision of an instructor boom operator.

Though the Japanese students train with the KC-10 simulator and receive actual in-flight training with the KC-10, the aircraft they will be using in Japan is the Boeing KC-767J.

"Although the Japanese tanker, KC-767J, is a completely different piece of equipment from the KC-10, the aerial re-fueling operational procedure and the essence of boom operating skills are the same," said Sergeant Kawasaki.

According to Sergeant Kawasaki, Japan won't have a boom operation simulator until 2009.  Consequently more than 12 future boom operators will trained here in the US.

"The class required more of a mental demand then expected, especially the in-flight communication," said Sergeant Kawasaki. "The language barrier with the in-flight jargon and the speed of the language made it difficult, but towards the end of the training, we started to get a feeling of good communication." 

Besides the training they received, the Japanese students noticed some differences from their homeland in Japan.

"What astonished us most is the diversity of races in the military," said Sergeant Kawasaki.  "The various culture backgrounds allowed us to relax.  We felt like we fit in."

Another similarity was the rank structure between the JASDF and USAF.

"The Japanese rank system is similar to our own, however, our enlisted (Airmen) salute any ranks higher then their own, both enlisted and commissioned officers.  I salute quite a bit on Japanese bases," said Sergeant Mizokami.

Training managers and instructors at Travis AFB had a positive experience working with the Japanese students.

"They were self-sufficient and extremely polite -- I was surprised of their knowledge of our customs and courtesies," said Mr. Winders.

The last Japanese student is scheduled to graduate November 18.

ANN salutes SSgt Matt McGovern of the 60th Air Mobility Wing public affairs.

FMI: www.af.mil