‘Committed to connecting’: Air Force chaplain stands by flight line to help airmen in western Tokyo

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — When airmen from Yokota’s 374th Maintenance Squadron want to see a chaplain, all they have to do is knock on an office door inside Hangar 15.

For the past year Chaplain (Capt.) Antonio Rigonan, 57, a Catholic priest from New York, has spent two days a week inside the largest hangar on this western Tokyo air base. From his office window, Rigonan on Monday had a clear view of a C-130J Super Hercules parked nearby.

It’s a short walk across the hangar to a workshop where, most days, young airmen are turning wrenches to keep the C-130Js ready for action.

“When you talk with them, they become more comfortable with you,” Rigonan said. “They usually request a chaplain they know when they want counseling.”

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