U.S. Forces Japan, 5th Air Force welcome new commander Published Feb. 26, 2008 YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) -- Members of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force welcomed a new commander during a change-of-command ceremony here Feb. 25. Lt. Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr. assumed command of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force as he replaced Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright, who retired. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, the Pacific Air Forces commander, officiated over the ceremony. Prior to assuming command, General Rice was the PACAF vice commander, which is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He credited General Wright for his work on the Security Consultative Committee, a U.S.-Japan alliance to promote regional security, and his efforts on the Roadmap for Alignment Implementation. "A large measure of the credit for that progress rightfully goes to General Wright for his stewardship of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force over the last three years," General Rice said. "He was the right leader at the right time, and his contributions to the alliance will surely stand the test of time." General Rice also served as an Air Force Recruiting Service commander from May 2002, to January 2004.