Change of command

The U.S. Forces Japan commander position is always held by an Air Force officer who also serves as the commander of 5th Air Force.

Oh new Commander! Please keep us, the poor weak defenseless Japanese, safe! All hail Commander Lt Gen Salvatore A Angelella!!

Wow, really, meandmybigmouth?! Soooo not cool.

@Ms. Alexander: What else I could say? The US army here is nothing but a Vendor who provides so called security service and get paid....in other words, a paid security guard of large scale. I could understand if it was Japanese army who was doing this, at least they would have some patriotism! When the things get worse, a US force personnel can just run away saying "I am not getting paid enough for this!". Do you know why? Because this is not their country!!

First off none of those guys are "US army" personnel. It is two air force officers and a marine officer.

When the things get worse, a US force personnel can just run away saying "I am not getting paid enough for this!". Do >you know why? Because this is not their country!!

Highly unlikely scenario.

Commander Lt Gen Salvatore A Angelella, the names sounds Italian, wonderful, Italian decent can become General in US Air Force. Multi culture at work!

Hey this guy was up in Misawa a few years ago. I met him a few times, really nice guy! Congratulations.

Wonder what he got all those medals for...

Camp Zama remains so they can protect the golf course.

@bigmouth - maybe you need to do some history homework and learn by the US military (not just army) is here. Then further your research and learn why YOUR government doesn't have their own army be "paid security guards".

I'm not military but as an American, I resent you "hailing" the general.

Is he wearing those nipple covers externally? Oh, sorry they must be medals.... just places in a funny place. but not put them to one side, might look better.

@meandmybigmouth: They are here by treaty.

@techall: They are here by treaty....yes...and they won't leave that beautiful island! Geez...how many times people need to show them the door!

@Ms. Alexander: Yeah Yeah....what choice did Japan had that time? It was nothing but desperation. US Military (army, navy, seal, penguin, dorkfish ...what ever!)....is nothing but our highly paid security guard, who does nothing for us. Too bad, we can not make them patrol the disputed islands.

I am reading this and notice a Lt. Gen. is taking the post from a outgoing Lt.,, WOOH!! I think JT, misspelled here, I think it is Lt. Gen. Burton, because a Lt(1st or 2nd) could not hold that post..

@techall: They are here by treaty....yes...and they won't leave that beautiful island! Geez...how many times people need to show them the door!

@Ms. Alexander: Yeah Yeah....what choice did Japan had that time? It was nothing but desperation. US Military (army, navy, seal, penguin, dorkfish ...what ever!)....is nothing but our highly paid security guard, who does nothing for us. Too bad, we can not make them patrol the disputed islands.

Come on...if Japan could have their own Military , they could do without the US one. Since you can not have one, you need to pay the US to stay! Deal with it!

@Roughneck: OK fine...I give up. We can not have our own military, because Big Brother US won't let us. So why not get a Quotation? Other countries may do the same "waiting and occupying Okinawa" job for less money! May be Philippines will be cheaper! Many of them already there anyway!!

@Roughneck: OK fine...I give up. We can not have our own military, because Big Brother US won't let us. So why not get a Quotation? Other countries may do the same "waiting and occupying Okinawa" job for less money! May be Philippines will be cheaper! Many of them already there anyway!!

Dude, you are really going off topic now. I can understand you do not like the US base in Japan. But this forum will not change anything, so don't B***h about it. If you can not say anything nice about picture of the day, say nothing!

Come on...if Japan could have their own Military

They do have their own military.

U.S. Forces Japan have contributed a lot to keeping Japan out of trouble since 1945.

I must say, lovely crisp uniforms.

Synchronized clapping.

Big hats.

Sure this ain't from a North Korean military parade?

＠ bigmouth - I bet you go to all the base friendship festivals though, don't you?

@ roughneck - exactly. There's no need for anyone to mock the pic of the day.

@ Serrano - I guess Operation Tomodachi meant nothing.

When the things get worse, a US force personnel can just run away saying "I am not getting paid enough for this!". Do you know why? Because this is not their country!!

Absolute nonsense. A truly uninformed comment that belies the writer is most likely not Japanese. An informed reader would know that all 50K US military members, and another 15K from outside Japan combined to conduct Humanitarian and Disaster Relief efforts during the earthquake and tsunami (Operation Tomodachi), working with the Japan Self Defense Force and other Japanese agencies, assisting Japan and it's people when it needed it most.

Sushi: "Sure this ain't from a North Korean military parade?"

We're sure.

Wonder what he got all those medals for...

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters Distinguished Flying Cross Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster Joint Service Commendation Medal

Loved the comment comparing the shot to North Koreans... never thought of that until I looked again, lol

To those (like meandmybigmouth) who don't understand why the U.S. has forces stationed on Japan, take a real long look at Japan and the mentality of the Japanese people at the end of WWII. The Japanese population was disgusted with their military leaders, leaders who had been telling them right up to the end that Japan was in the right and would ultimately prevail if everyone just gave their "all". Well they gave their "all" and were stunned when they heard their Emperor's voice over the radio FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, and that voice was telling them Japan had lost the war. Where were those military leaders who'd been lying to the Japanese people for so long? Why didn't they make the announcement, rather than force the Emperor to make that unprecedented public announcement?

Japanese citizenry were disgusted with the military and wanted nothing to do with them after that. That's all well and good, but the Soviet Union, China, and the newly split Koreas were chomping at the bit for their share of the spoils of a defeated Japan. They clamored for Japanese territory as compensation. The Soviet Union was partly mollified when they were given control of the northern half of Korea. While not a part of Japan itself, it WAS an acquisition of land and ports farther south than any of the previously existing Soviet ports. The U.S. managed to hold off the worst of the land grabs after the war, but there was STILL the issue of Japan's recent history of aggression. No one believed that Japan would really abandon their military because the country STILL needed to be defended even if they never staged another offensive operation for the remainder of eternity. The U.S. was already there as an occupying force, so it was easier for them to tell the Russians and the Chinese, "Don't worry, we got this." That worked fine for the length of the occupation, but what about when the occupation ended? Japan had two choices, thank the U.S. for all they've done but decide that they can handle the rest on their own, or continue in a partnership with the U.S., with the U.S. bearing part of the cost of defending Japan. Japan chose the latter option. The treaty that was signed that codified this arrangement specified that the treaty was "locked-in" for ten years, but after ten years either party could terminate the treaty without cause after giving a year's notice (so Japan would have time to ramp-up defense and so the U.S. would have time to move out before the treaty expired.) As the treaty was signed in 1972, the Japanese have had the ability to tell the U.S., "Sayounara" for the last 30 years, but so far have not felt the need to do so. If Japan asks the U.S. to leave, they WILL do so. They have in the past. In the 1980's, the Phillippines didn't renew their base agreements with the U.S. and the U.S. left. We didn't shun the Phillippines after that.

U.S. forces are still stationed in Japan because the Japanese government WANTS them there. If you really don't want them there, all you have to do is convince your politicians of that fact. Then, a year after notice is given, the only U.S. servicemen stationed on Japan will be the embassy guards (and technically even they aren't "in" Japan as the embassy is considered sovereign soil of the country the embassy represents)

Japan does need stability in East Asia therefore American bases are needed . United States troops as in Europe aid in keeping the stability of the region and preventing war. East Asia is perhaps the region that needs this source most as it is a region with several great powers and needs to adapt to the rise of China. Essentially American troops in the region provide reassurance to everyone in the region. For Japan, South Korea and the ASEAN nations they provide reassurance that Japan won't return to bad old ways of being an imperialist power which I believe will never happen. The United States forces in Japan do exactly what NATO did in Europe with different players. It keeps Japan down for China and China out Japan. Hence it is crucial for the region's stability and economic prosperity and Americans should continue to develop its regional institutions, strengthen its relationship with their allies and continue to remain deeply engaged in Asia.

meandmybigmouth

OK fine...I give up. We can not have our own military, because Big Brother US won't let us.

I hate to break it to you but there isn't enough backbone and guts in Japanese youth today to field an effective standing military force. The JSDF, which are fine at what they do (HA/DR, peace-keeping, and territorial defense) but they're the extent of what Japan can muster, not because of a lack of technology or funds but because of a lack of able minds and bodies to fill the uniforms.

Meandmybigmouth is really living up to his username. I also find it hilarious that the heavy handed JT mods haven't deleted his off topic comments yet. Oh well, that's JT, if they agree with what you say then you'll get a lot more leeway.

I pesonally know him as I worked directly for him a few years back. He rose to this level because he has a distinguished career and is an outstanding individual. Always fair and ears wide open when you have something to say.

USNinJapan2, it is the job of the Japanese Self Defense Force to defend Japan. Not the Republic of China or the Republic of Korea. Japan is a peaceful country and am against Japan getting in a conflict to defend people who hate our guts.

Anyhow this guy looks a bit stiff under the collar. Michael how can you say that never meeting him?

@Fadamor, USNinJapan2, & Stephen Jez:

Excellent posts!!

How do you spell "raspberry?"