MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Fleet Air Wing 31 welcomed Rear Adm. Masanori Uetsuki as their new commanding officer while bidding farewell to Rear Adm. Kodo Iwata in a change of command ceremony at the JMSDF flight line here March 27.
The change of command also served as a retirement ceremony for Iwata, whose retirement was effective immediately after handing the FAW-31 reins to Uetsuki.Uetsuki graduated from Japan’s National Defense Academy, similar to the U.S. Naval Academy, in 1975 with a bachelors in aeronautical engineering. Upon graduation, Uetsuki was trained as a pilot on the SH-60J and K helicopters and served with Flight Squadron 123.
Prior to taking command of FAW-31, Uetsuki served as the vice principal of the JMSDF Officer’s Academy in Tokyo.
Along with a decorated history in naval aviation, Uetsuki has a great deal of experience working alongside his U.S. counterparts.
“I have worked with the U.S. Navy at Atsugi in Kanagawa Prefecture when I was the commanding officer of Air Development Squadron 51,” said Uetsuki, a native of Okayama Prefecture. “I have also worked with the administration of the Joint Chief of Staff Office. I don’t see anything different from that experience to this command, sharing the same space and working together with the U.S. forces. I look forward to working close together to accomplish our missions as I begin my tenure here.”
While serving aboard the station, Uetsuki has pledged to continue the work of his predecessors.
“I would like to continue to build on what the commanders before me have passed down,” said the two-star admiral. “Air Wing 31 is tasked with various missions. We would like to train hard and maintain the best possible conditions for each and every one of our personnel in order to accomplish our mission.”
Although this is Admiral Uetsuki’s first opportunity to work with the Marine Corps, he has high hopes on sharing the station with leathernecks.
“I feel that it is good when both Japanese and Americans work in their own responsible areas to complete their missions under the alliance,” said Uetsuki. “I would like our personnel to work together in the spirit of cooperation and friendship in order to complete the mission at hand.”