8 Aug 2018

This plane is on fire!

For the first time at Kadena Air Base, joint live-fire training between the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron and Japanese Self-Defense Force firefighters from Naha Air Base occurred as part of a new knowledge exchange agreement, August 7, 2018.

7 Aug 2018

The Parade of 10,000 Dancers

An Okinawan women’s dance group performs with yotsutake castanets during the annual 10,000 Eisa Dance Parade Aug. 5, 2018, in Naha, Japan. Eisa dancers used traditional taiko drums and choreographed music to pay homage to their ancestors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristan Campbell)

5 Aug 2018

Learning to fly

Special operations squadron Airmen have a different skill set than other aircrew members – whether it’s performing specialized jobs in a forward deployed location or being tasked as part of a rescue operation – to be an Air Force Special Operations Command Airman takes specific training and a different mentality than other Air Force Specialty Codes.

2 Aug 2018

Alpha Warrior Fitness Challenge tests warrior strength

As part of the Air Force’s fitness initiative, the 18th Force Support Squadron hosted the Alpha Warrior fitness challenge July 28, at the Risner Fitness Center. The challenge was hosted on the ‘battle rig’, a course designed using equipment similar to that of a popular obstacle competition television show. Open to all services, the event gave participants the opportunity to test the physical and mental pillars of the Air Force’s Comprehensive Airman Readiness program.

2 Aug 2018

Inspected and ready

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jasmine Arce, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron interpersonal protective equipment journeyman, checks identifying paperwork Aug. 1, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Maintaining accountability of items ensures parts and equipment will be available and in good order when needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman

26 Jul 2018

18th FSS hosts river trekking

22 Jul 2018

Raise the Flag

U.S Air Force Senior Airman Rodulfo Castro, 18th Aerospace Medical Squadron bioenvironmental engineering technician, relays the current flag condition to the Command Post July 17, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th AMS Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight is responsible for testing Kadena's water supply, heat index and air quality. (U.S Air

20 Jul 2018

International rescue effort saves trapped soccer team

Twelve boys ranging from the age of 11 to 16, along with their soccer coach, found themselves stranded in a cave in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province, June 23, 2018. After 17 days of being trapped, an international rescue team was able to successfully bring an end to the nearly 3-week rescue operation.

20 Jul 2018

Full speed ahead

The term ‘full throttle’ is often translated as doing something completely or without restraint. Here at Kadena Air Base, the 18th Component Maintenance Squadron and 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit are training to do just that – powering aircraft full speed ahead.

18 Jul 2018

Gobbling up the competition

Staff Sgt. James Smith, 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew chief, inspects AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missles during an annual "turkey shoot" weapons load competition July 16, 2018, on Kadena Air Base, Japan. Airmen competed to load two AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and one AIM-9X heat seeking missile

13 Jul 2018

Fueling the Airmen

The Marshall Dining Facility remains empty just minutes before opening for lunch July 13, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The DFAC is the primary place for dorm-resident Airmen to have their meals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica H. Smith)

9 Jul 2018

How to prepare for typhoons

Living on a tropical island may seem like a breeze, but during typhoon season it’s possible to be blown away with never-ending safety precautions.

6 Jul 2018

Typhoon Readiness: Team Kadena assesses lessons from Typhoon Prapiroon

Typhoon Prapiroon kicked-off the 2018 typhoon season, mildly impacting the area July 1-2, and Team Kadena leadership gathered to discuss its impacts. In a post-typhoon discussion, key leaders from across Kadena discussed how to more effectively communicate Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness (TCCOR) Conditions as well as lessons learned from the first typhoon of the season.

5 Jul 2018

Hard to Raptor head around

As the morning sun rises over the base, the pilot walks to his aircraft. Both man and machine will work as one unit in the sky today. The pilot looks at the crew chief, who is waiting at the aircraft, and gives a thumbs up. As the pilot buckles into the cockpit and the canopy closes, the crew chief ensures that the final touches are completed and clears the jet for launch.

2 Jul 2018

Trial procedures are nothing to mock

While the Uniform Code of Military Justice may be the same across the services, each branch still has their own quirks when it comes to serving justice. All four branches on island, as well as their Japanese counterparts came together June 29, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, to participate in a mock trial. The day started with an introduction to military justice and moved on to investigations, commander’s discretion non-judicial punishment, and ended with the mock trial.