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  • Forward area refueling point Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group prepare an MC-130J Commando II for FARP operations during Exercise Westpac Rumrunner, July 31, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The FARP mission supports contingency and exercise operations to refuel aircraft and equipment in austere locations where typical air-to-air refueling or established refueling stations are not available.

    Exercise WestPac Rumrunner – the second iteration

    The 18th Wing hosted the second iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner – an exercise designed to train and improve capabilities and joint interoperability using agile combat employment (ACE) concepts – July 31, 2020, at Kadena Air Base. The exercise allows for the United States Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force to meet up, train, and fight as a cohesive unit all in one day’s time. WestPac Rumrunner enables units and assets currently stationed or TDY in the Western Pacific area of responsibility to train together without the typical demands of a TDY.
  • Racial disparity conversation.

    Acknowledging racial disparity within our ranks

    Since the death of George Floyd, discussing and addressing racial injustice throughout the ranks has become an important part of our total mission success. U.S. Air Force senior leadership has prompted all servicemembers to take the time to learn and show humility by addressing racial blind spots and looking inward, at every echelon of command, so we emerge stronger as a profession of arms.
  • U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt Lucas Balcarce, boom operator assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, prepares to refuel a B-1B Lancer from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, to refuel over the Pacific as part of a bilateral U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRACTCOM) Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission July 17, 2020. USINDOPACOM has the capacity to conduct training and exercises focused on the full spectrum of military operations, from combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, anywhere throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)

    B-1s refueled by 909th Air Refueling Squadron

    A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron prepares to refuel a B-1B Lancer from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., over the Pacific as part of a bilateral U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRACTCOM) Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission July 17, 2020. The Unites States security presence, along with our allies and partners, underpins the peace and stability that has enabled the Indo-Pacific region to develop and prosper for more than seven decades. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)
  • Two B-1B Lancers, assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., conduct a flyover before landing at Andersen AFB, Guam, July 17, 2020. The Bomber Task Force is deployed to Andersen AFB in support of Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with allies, partners and joint forces. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

    B-1s return to Indo-Pacific, conduct bilateral training

    Air Force B-1B Lancers returned to the Indo-Pacific region to conduct bilateral Bomber Task Force operations out of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 17.
  • Senior Airman Dorien A. Hamilton, 18th Wing Judge Advocate military justice paralegal walks a stack of documents into the court room at Kadena Air Base.

    18th Wing Law Center wins Legal Office of the Year Award

    The 18th Wing Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, commonly known as the Kadena Law Center, received record-breaking inspection results and won the highly coveted Air Force’s Legal Office of the Year Award for 2019.
  • Members work inside an office.

    Team Kadena’s Intel, Recon squadrons outsmart COVID-19

    The COVID-19 pandemic has birthed many obstacles, but the ingenuity and fighting spirits of Team Kadena’s 82nd Reconnaissance and 390th Intelligence Squadrons have persevered against the virus with new policies and an unfaltering operations tempo. The powerhouse duo hustled right at the beginning of the pandemic and worked to accomplish their vital mission and persistently protect their Airmen from harm by enacting several health safety measures throughout their squadrons.
  • A U.S. Air Force 67th Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle and a 909th Aerial Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker prepare to conduct air-to-air refueling during a training exercise July 8, 2020, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Fighter squadrons from Kadena Air Base conducted a joint small force employment exercise to enhance fighter intercept strategies, bomber escort, and small force employment. U.S. Air Forces are postured and ready to respond to crises and contingencies throughout the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, contributing to regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)

    67th FS fighters conduct a small force exercise

    A U.S. Air Force 67th Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle and a 909th Aerial Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker conduct air-to-air refueling during a training exercise July 8, 2020, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. The 67th FS conducted small force employment combat exercises to demonstrate how U.S. Indo-Pacific Command units can execute dynamic force employment while maintaining the capacity for agile combat operations. The United States security presence, along with our allies and partners, underpins the peace and stability that has enabled the Indo-Pacific region to develop and prosper for more than seven decades.
  • Air Force servicemembers conduct paradrop training at the Ridout drop zone July 9, 2020, on Kadena Air Base, Japan. All training on Kadena AB is conducted in accordance with bilateral agreements between the United States and the Government of Japan. Ie Jima is the primary location for overland U.S. military paradrop training in Okinawa. The bilateral agreements allow for the use of Kadena AB as an alternate location when Ie Jima is not available to meet the immediate training needs of U.S. forces.

    Jump training conducted at Kadena's Ridout DZ

    U.S. Air Force servicemembers conducted paradrop training at the Ridout drop zone July 9, 2020, on Kadena Air Base, Japan. All training on Kadena AB is conducted in accordance with bilateral agreements between the United States and the Government of Japan. Ie Jima is the primary location for overland U.S. military paradrop training in Okinawa. The bilateral agreements allow for the use of Kadena AB as an alternate location when Ie Jima is not available to meet the immediate training needs of U.S. forces.
  • A U.S. Air Force joint terminal attack controller assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron fills in information for a 9-line at Draughon Range, near Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 15, 2020. A 9-line is a standardized format in which a JTAC gives targeting information to aircraft pilots. Brandt and other JTACS from the 320th STS came to Draughon Range to maintain their currency as combat controllers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Moore)

    Misawa, Kadena Airmen train at Draughon Range

    Airmen assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron and the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, conducted close air support training at Draughon Range, near Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 15-17.
  • Misawa F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, in collaboration with Kadena Air Base Airmen, executed a unique refueling capability for the first time at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 25.

    Misawa, Kadena Airmen further ACE capabilities with FARP training

    Misawa F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, in collaboration with Kadena Air Base Airmen, executed a unique refueling capability for the first time at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 25.
  • Teem center coordinator speaks.

    Ribbon cutting ceremony held for new Teen Center

    After being closed due to moving buildings, renovations, and COVID-19 restrictions, the Teen Center on Kadena Air Base has officially reopened. Wing leadership celebrated the grand reopening with a ribbon cutting ceremony held June 24, 2020.
  • Photo of an AWACS takeoff

    Kadena E-5 becomes first PACAF enlisted ASO

    Recently, the Air Force made the decision to send highly qualified enlisted members to the air surveillance officer training course.
  • Photo of COVID-19 testing

    18th Dental Squadron creates COVID-19 test swabs

    While we’ve seen no new cases of COVID-19 on Okinawa, the threat of the pandemic is still very real. The Regional Dental Laboratory, which falls under the 18th Dental Squadron, has played an instrumental role in the 18th Wing’s innovation efforts to help flatten the curve. The RDL wasted no time in using their 3D printing capabilities to create face shields, door handle openers, and other personal protective equipment when protective measures were first implemented on base.
  • Chief Master Sergeant Tracie Duvall, 18th Mission Support Group command chief, speaks to participants before the Walk for Unity 5K at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, June 20, 2020. The event signified Team Kadena’s commitment to bringing the community together and resolving racial divides and inequalities in our nation and Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryn Murphy)

    ‘Walk for Unity’ brings Team Kadena together, builds understanding

    The 18th Wing hosted a 5K “Walk for Unity” on Kadena Air Base, June 20, 2020. The event signified Team Kadena’s commitment to bringing the community together and resolving racial divides and inequalities in our nation and Air Force.

  • Innovative Dental Swabs

    The 18th Dental Squadron on Kadena Air Base, Japan put their skills to the test by 3-D printing naso-pharyngeal swabs to test any potential COVID-19 patients. The dental lab is working diligently to ensure the swabs are approved for testing use. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)
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