by Osakabe Yasuo, 374th Airlift Wing public affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Royal Australian Air Force Group
Captain Michael Jansen assumed command of United Nations Command Rear, from
Royal Australian Air Force Group Captain Barbara Courtney during a change of
command ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26.
The reviewing officer
of the event was U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. James Slife, deputy chief of staff
for United Nations Command and U.S. Forces Korea at Yongsan Garrison, Seoul,
South Korea.
"For over 60
years the unwavering commitment of the UNC has brought stability, security, and
economic prosperity to Northeast Asia. Nevertheless, recent events remind us of
the need for a ready and capable force to maintain the Armistice and deter
aggression on the Korean peninsula. Part of the UNC's mission requires
maintaining the longstanding UNC (Rear) Headquarters here in Japan to ensure
the capability for sending states to provide follow-on forces in the case of
hostilities.
"Through her
relationships with the Government of Japan and Korea, the many UNC sending
Sates, the U.S. Forces Japan team, and the staff of UNC, Group Capt. Courtney
has built a framework which will withstand the stress of war, should it come to
that." Slife said during the ceremony.
As the United Nations
Command's principal representative in Japan, the UNC (Rear) maintains the
status of forces agreement regarding United Nations Forces in Japan during
armistice conditions. During hostilities, the unit supports UNC operations
within Japan and Facilities the movement of UNC Sending States' Forces through
the country of Korea.
The UNC (Rear) is
composed of eight nations accredited to the United Nations Command: Australia,
Canada, France, New Zealand, The Philippines, Thailand, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.