U.S. military in Japan gets new commander
Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright assumed command of the U.S. Forces, Japan and of the Fifth Air Force on Thursday, becoming the most senior U.S. military representative in this country. Wright, a fighter pilot who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1973, took over from Lt. Gen. Thomas Waskow, who is retiring. Wright comes to Japan after heading the Air Combat Command, which is headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. It is Wright's fourth assignment in Japan. He came here first in 1978 as a pilot and instructor for the F-4C "Wild Weasel" at Kadena Air Base on the southern island of Okinawa. "It's a great day," Wright said after assuming the post. "It's awesome to be back in Japan."