Ambassador Joseph W. Prueher is briefed by the U.S. Deputy Commander in Chief, Pacific, Lt. Gen. Randolph W. House, while en route to China as the new US envoy. Ambassador Prueher, who retired in February 1999 as a full admiral, is the former US Commander in Chief, Pacific.

Then Rear Adm. Chet Komonthiti, Deputy Commander, Royal Thai Marine Corps (now Vice Adm. and Commander), flood relief task force commander, receives donated US relief goods from Rear Adm. Timothy J. Keating, Commander of the USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Battle Group. The Joint US Military Advisory Group Thailand (JUSMAGTHAI) procured US Commander in Chief, Pacific-funded building materials and US Navy donated medical supplies for victims of floods in ThailandŐs Chanthaburi Province.

More than 200,000 citizens visited the annual Friendship Festival hosted by the US Air Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan. More than 40 aircraft displays, a parachute team, live bands, fireworks, and food and recreational booths greeted Japanese visitors to acquaint them with the US Forces mission in Japan and to strengthen community relations.