Consul General Sunaga Visits Fort Bragg, North Carolina
(March 31, 2015)

    On March 31st, Consul General (CG) Sunaga visited Fort Bragg Army Base in North Carolina, where he paid a courtesy call on Major General Jefforey A. Smith, the XVIII Airborne Corps’ and installation’s Deputy Commanding General, conducted a base tour, and gave a presentation on Japan/US strategic alliance to those military and civilian members who had served in U.S. bases in Japan. Fort Bragg is one of the largest major U.S. Army bases with the headquarters of the U.S. Army Airborne Forces and the Special Forces. The U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) and the U.S. Army Reserve Command are also headquartered at Fort Bragg. It also is the home of the XVIII Airborne Corps, one of the three major Corps of the FORSCOM. Fort Bragg’s strategic importance to the Department of Defense is its status as the Army’s premier power projection platform; it stands ready to deploy forces worldwide in support of myriad global contingencies.

    Following the briefing on the missions and functions of Fort Bragg by Deputy Commanding General Smith, CG Sunaga discussed with him the Japan-U.S. alliance and outlook on Asia. Also, as the month of March marked the 4th commemoration of the East Japan Great Earthquake and Tsunami, he took the opportunity to express his sincere gratitude for the U.S. Armed Forces’ emergency rescue activities under “Operation Tomodachi” in 2011.

    At Fort Bragg, many military and civilian members have had the experience of serving at U.S. bases in Japan. CG Sunaga had an opportunity to meet with 15 such members during the visit. He discussed Japan’s current defense policy and U.S.-Japan security alliance, which was followed by Q & A. Among the participants were two officers who actually participated in the “Operation Tomodachi,” and CG Sunaga expressed to them his most sincere gratitude in person.

Photos courtesy of XVIII Airborne Corps Public Affairs Office.