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Staff Sergeant Ryu Yamakawa

Staff Sergeant Ryu Yamakawa serves as a guitarist and Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of “Final Approach,” a premier popular music ensemble within the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

A native of Chiba, Japan, and resident of Tampa, Florida, Sergeant Yamakawa enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in February 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Professional Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. While pursuing his degree, he toured Europe as a sideman guitarist and studied under world-renowned instructors including Tomo Fujita, Mick Goodrick, John Baboian, and Tim Miller. Prior to his enlistment, he performed as a house band musician for Princess Cruises, touring across Asia, Australia, and the Americas.

A graduate of the Airman Leadership School at Yokota AB, he was awarded the prestigious Commandant’s Award. He currently serves as a LEAP Scholar in Japanese, providing high-level language and cultural support to international operations. His recent contributions include interpreting during Resolute Dragon 23 and Northwest Pacific 2024, enabling seamless coordination between U.S. and Japanese forces.

EDUCATION

  • 2014 Bachelor of Professional Music, Berklee College of Music, Boston, Mass.

  • 2017 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas

  • 2024 Airman Leadership School, Yokota AB, Japan (Commandant’s Award)

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. Apr 2017 – Nov 2019, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

  2. Nov 2019 – Present, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • Air and Space Commendation Medal

  • Air and Space Achievement Medal

  • Joint Meritorious Unit Award

  • Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster

  • National Defense Service Medal

  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

  • Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border

  • Air and Space Longevity Service Award with one oak leaf cluster

  • USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon

  • Air and Space Training Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs Airman of the Year, 2022

  • PACAF Public Affairs Airman of the Quarter, 2nd Quarter 2021

  • PACAF Public Affairs Airman of the Quarter, 3rd Quarter 2023

  • PACAF Band of the Pacific Airman of the Quarter, 2nd Quarter 2021

  • PACAF Band of the Pacific Airman of the Quarter, 2nd Quarter (additional)

  • PACAF Band NCO of the Quarter, 1st Quarter 2025

  • Commandant’s Award, Yokota ALS, Class 24-B

  • LEAP Scholar (Japanese) – Interpretation and cultural liaison support for Resolute Dragon 23 and NWPAC24

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

  • Airman First Class – 21 Feb 2017

  • Senior Airman – 21 Feb 2020

  • Staff Sergeant – 1 Sep 2023

(Current as of May 2025)