Kadena Air Base News

18th CONS and Society of American Military Engineers Japan Post hosts the Okinawa Vendor Symposium

Senior Airman Austin Howton — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:08:00 GMT

The 18th Contracting Squadron partnered with the Society of American Military Engineers Japan Post to host this year’s Okinawa Vendor Symposium at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 4, 2026. The symposium welcomed 48 Okinawa businesses interested to learn about U.S. government contracting opportunities. The event connected command teams, resource advisors, government purchase card holders and requirement owners with local companies and contracting offices to help plan budgets, address challenges and support the 18th Wing mission.

Remembering STRAY 59: Airmen honor fallen special operators

Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:35:00 GMT

353rd Special Operations Wing conducted a ceremony preceding a memorial flight honoring the 23 service members who died when a 1st Special Operations Squadron MC-130E Combat Talon I, call sign STRAY 59, crashed during an exercise in 1981. The victims included personnel from the United States, the Philippine Navy, the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and the New Zealand Special Air Service.

U.S., Japanese providers align capabilities at Camp Foster Nurse Symposium

SrA Jamal Berry II — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:29:00 GMT

Closing those gaps was the purpose of the annual Nurse Symposium, hosted at Camp Foster, Japan, Feb. 19, 2026. The event brought together more than 100 medical professionals from three U.S. military branches and Japanese partner organizations to strengthen coordination across the full spectrum of care.

Legacy of service: Third-generation Airman continues family mission at Kadena

Airman 1st Class Francisco Huerta — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 04:32:58 GMT

Long before he wore the uniform, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Angelo Libunao walked the halls of the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron as a child, watching Airmen prepare to launch into the Indo-Pacific skies.

U.S.-Japan cultural exchange panel tours Kadena Air Base

Staff Sgt. Hilton — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:07:00 GMT

Members of the United States-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange visited Kadena Air Base on February 18, 2026 to learn about the installation's community engagement efforts and its role in strengthening ties with Okinawa.

Drumbeats and Friendship: Kadena, Chatan students unite through Okinawan culture

Capt. Mary Turpin — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:22:00 GMT

The steady rhythm of taiko drums echoed through a community hall in Chatan on Feb. 21, 2026, as American and Japanese children clapped, laughed and stepped in time, turning a cultural exchange into a shared celebration Co-hosted by the installation’s honorary commanders and local goodwill associations, the event was dedicated to fostering friendship and understanding. The event focused on an understanding of Okinawa’s rich heritage, including the vibrant Okinawan Eisa dancers.

From tanker to lifeline: 909th ARS, 18th AES train over Pacific

Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:28:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and 909th Air Refueling Squadron practice aeromedical evacuation procedures over the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 17, 2026.

Sticks up, borders down: International lacrosse in Okinawa

Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 04:29:00 GMT

During the sixth annual Lacrosse Okinawa Open held Feb. 19-21, 2026, at Shintoshin Park, Japan, teams representing 17 Southeast Asian countries converged for three days of fast-paced international competition.

18th Wing welcomes JAAGA for tour and awards ceremony

Senior Airman Catherine Daniel — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:32:00 GMT

Members of the Japan-America Air Force Goodwill Association visited the 18th Wing for a flightline tour, mission briefing and the wing’s annual awards ceremony Feb. 18, 2026.

Area Defense Counsel: Defense starts here

Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 01:52:00 GMT

When members of the U.S. Air Force or Space Force face investigations, adverse actions or potential disciplinary proceedings, knowing where to turn can make all the difference. The Area Defense Counsel provides free, confidential and independent legal defense services to Air Force members across Kadena Air Base, Japan.

Keeping it McCool – PACAF command chief visits Kadena Air Base

Senior Airman Jamal Berry II — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:29:00 GMT

Chief Master Sgt. Katie McCool, Pacific Air Forces command chief, visited Kadena Air Base, Japan to exchange perspectives, praise the efforts of exceptional Airmen, and experience the keystone of the Pacific, Jan. 22 and 23, 2026.

Faces of Kadena: The people behind the mission

Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:08:00 GMT

Kadena Air Base is home to over 19,000 personnel including U.S. Air Force Airmen, sister service members, and both U.S. and Japanese civilians who each have their own story to tell.

Practice makes perfect: 909th ARS refuels F-16Cs and F-35As

Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers assigned the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, F-16C Fighting Falcons assigned to the 120th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, and F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conduct aerial refueling operations over the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 29, 2026.

Career Summit connects service members to future careers at Kadena

Airman 1st Class Francisco Huerta — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:37:00 GMT

The 18th Wing hosted a career summit at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 5, 2026, aimed at expanding career opportunities for service members, veterans, military spouses, caregivers and civilians.

Under Secretary of the Air Force visits Kadena to conclude Indo-Pacific tour

Airman 1st Class Karina Lopez — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:29:00 GMT

Under Secretary of the Air Force Matt Lohmeier visited Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 4, 2026, concluding his tour of Pacific Air Forces installations across the Indo-Pacific region. The visit capped a weeklong engagement that included stops at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Osan Air Base, and Yokota Air Base, where Lohmeier met with Airmen, Guardians and senior leaders to assess readiness, connect with the force and reaffirm the Department of the Air Force’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Precision under pressure: Kadena hosts quarterly load crew competition

Pentagon News — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:16:00 GMT

The 18th Maintenance Group hosted the quarterly weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan 30, 2026, bringing together weapons load crews from across the group to test their speed, precision and teamwork.

Live Fire Immersion strengthens U.S. Air Force, JASDF readiness

Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:41:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force Firefighters from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron trained alongside members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Airmen assigned to the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 28–29, 2026. The two-day event sharpened combined aircraft rescue and firefighting capabilities while enhancing interoperability between U.S. and Japanese partners. Crews executed joint fire suppression drills, canopy access techniques, and coordinated command and control procedures to strengthen readiness for real-world aircraft emergencies.

Rain or shine; 18th OSS weather Airmen take flight

Senior Airman Jamal Berry II — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:34:00 GMT

For most people, weather is a matter of convenience — what to wear, whether to drive, if an umbrella is worth carrying. For the Airmen of the 18th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight, weather means something else entirely: mission success or failure, aircraft safety or risk, life or loss.

Joint postal operation brings Kadena services to White Beach

Senior Airman Jonathan R. Sifuentes — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:36:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 718th Force Support Squadron launched a mobile post office at White Beach Naval Facility, Japan, Nov. 30, 2025, to deliver postal services directly to service members operating at the port.

Project Valkyrie builds livesaving readiness across the Indo-Pacific

Senior Airman Jonathan R. Sifuentes — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:37:00 GMT

The 18th Medical Group hosted Project Valkyrie, a joint-service medical training course focused on emergency blood transfusion procedures, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2025.