KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — Members of the United States-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange visited Kadena Air Base on February 18, 2026 to learn about the installation's community engagement efforts and its role in strengthening ties with Okinawa.
Established in 1961 as a result of a series of discussions between the leaders of the two countries, CULCON is a U.S-Japan binational advisory panel that works to broaden the vital cultural and educational foundations of the U.S.-Japan partnership and Alliance.
“The panel also serves as an opportunity to strengthen connections between U.S. and Japan leaders in the cultural and educational spheres,” said Charles D. Lake II, U.S. CULCON chairman. “Through dialogue and collaboration, we’re able to identify shared priorities and emerging issues that shape the future of our partnership.”
In addition to regular engagement sessions, CULCON members convene for a biennial plenary to address topics of mutual importance. This year’s plenary took place on February 19 in Nago City.
“With this year’s plenary taking place in Okinawa, CULCON requested the opportunity to visit Kadena the day prior,” said Aoi Takubo, 18th Wing Public Affairs community engagement specialist. “One of the key themes for this year’s discussions is subnational diplomacy; focusing on goodwill efforts between the local communities of each country.”
While many municipal visits to Kadena feature a mission brief outlining the 18th Wing’s role in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, this visit emphasized the base’s ongoing outreach efforts.
The visit’s mission brief, held at the Tee House restaurant overlooking Kadena’s flightline, was spearheaded by U.S. Air Force Col Robinson Mata, 18th Mission Support Squadron commander, who highlighted the base’s commitment to being an engaged and responsible community partner.
“Our community engagement program is one of the most important programs to the wing,” Mata said during the brief. “It’s very near-and dear to our hearts.”
Kadena’s community engagement efforts include regular meetings with local town mayors, honorary commander and civic leader programs, and language and cultural exchange events.
“Additionally, the 18th Wing’s munition storage area houses multiple family tombs, which are regularly maintained and cleaned by Kadena volunteers for sacred site observation holidays like Obon,” Mata added.
The base also supports large-scale community events, including tsunami evacuation exercises, the annual Kadena Special Olympics and Okinawa Marathon events, which can draw up to 10,000 local participants each year.
“Additionally, our largest annual community engagement event is America Fest, scheduled this year for April 11 and 12,” said Takubo. “It’s one of the clearest examples of how we open our gates and invite the community in to experience who we are beyond the mission.”
After the briefing, panel members enjoyed a meal courtesy of the Tee House staff.
“The brief was very informative,” said Lake. “I’ll be happy to continue to discuss Kadena’s efforts to be good neighbors as well as good allies.”
Community engagement activities like this not only foster stronger relationships between the Okinawan community and U.S. service members but also reinforce the broader U.S.-Japan partnership. These exchanges play a vital role in promoting mutual understanding and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific.