Conferment Ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for Brigadier General Nicholas B. Evans (July 9, 2026)
On July 9th, 2026, a ceremony for the 2026 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals was held at the Consul-General's official residence. At the ceremony, Consul-General Okajima presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon to Brigadier General Nicholas B. Evans, former Commander of the 18th Wing, U.S. Air Force in Japan and current Vice Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Brigadier General Nicholas B. Evans has made significant contributions to promoting cooperative relations between Japan and the United States in the defense sector.
Following the presentation, Brigadier General Evans delivered remarks, and congratulatory speeches were given by Lieutenant General Tony D. Bauernfeind, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Colonel Yukihiko Hayakawa, who is on secondment from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to the U.S. Space Force headquarters as a liaison officer.
To honor his achievements, the ceremony was attended by the family and relatives of Brigadier General Evans, and celebrated his conferment.
Since assuming the position of Commander of the 18th Wing, 5th Air Force at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan in July 2023, Brig. Gen. Evans has demonstrated exceptional ability, a strong sense of mission, and outstanding leadership in commanding his unit. He has contributed greatly to maintaining and strengthening the Japan-U.S. Security Alliance, as well as enhancing Japan’s defense posture and promoting goodwill between Japan and the United States. During his tenure, Brig. Gen. Evans strove to foster mutual understanding and trust between the U.S. Air Force and local residents, and contributed to strengthening close ties with the local community through initiatives such as “America Fest,” a public open-base event at Kadena Air Base. Having fulfilled his duties as Commander in July 2025, he currently holds a key position as the Vice Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.