Expect traffic delays and gate closures during Okinawa Marathon

A portion of the 2011 Okinawa Marathon is scheduled to go through Kadena Feb. 19.During the event, Gates 2 and 5 will be closed to vehicle traffic from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Roads will be closed from Gate 2 on Kuter Boulevard to Vincent Avenue, from Vincent Avenue to Schreiber Boulevard and from

18th CONS celebrates 20 years

The 18th Contracting Squadron recently marked an extraordinary achievement by celebrating their 20th anniversary on island.Maj. Gen. Wendy Masiello, the deputy assistant secretary for contracting, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C., recently visited

Kadena chaplain spreads Christmas cheer to fellow deployed Airmen

Chaplain (Capt.) Kevin Humphrey is not what you would call a social media fanatic. He is nowhere to be found on the top 10 most followed Facebook users list. However, when he posted a simple Facebook status several weeks ago, he sparked an unusual response from friends and followers."In about a

1st MAW invites Team Kadena to Iwo Jima

Darkness and cool winds surrounded the flight line as U.S. Marine Corpsmen, Sailors and Airmen out of Futenma Air Station and Kadena Air Base; boarded a KC-130J to fly into Iwoto Air Field, Iwo Jima, Japan.The tactical significance of the capture of Iwo Jima during the Pacific campaign of WWII was

Assistant Secretary of the Air Force visits team Kadena

Message from wing commander on civilian workforce adjustments

Shogun Family In August, I sent a message regarding the Air Force 90-day civilian hiringfreeze and I want to provide another update on the latest changes impactingour civilian workforce.The Air Force recently announced several adjustments to the civilianworkforce. "In response to direction from the

Operations contribute to maintenance mission

While the 18th Maintenance Group performs aircraft and aircraft support equipment maintenance, the 18th Maintenance Operations Squadron is responsible for administration, analysis, training management, and programs and resources necessary to support the 18th MXG production efforts."The 18th MOS

First sergeants' operation warms Team Kadena hearts

Team Kadena members gathered at the Risner Fitness Center before sunrise Sept. 30 to help Kadena's first sergeants help others.More than 300 people registered to participate in a 6-, 10- and 20-kilometer challenge run fundraiser the "diamonds" hosted to support their non-profit program, Operation

18th AMXS keeps Kadena F-15s airborne

By the time 10 years rolls around, most automobile owners are looking to replace their quickly outdating car, because without continuous maintenance, it will wear out and become unreliable. This situation holds just as true for the F-15 Eagle's advanced, multi-million-dollar weaponry the U.S. Air

A day in the life of firemen

Ever wondered what the life of a fireman is like? My curiosity led me to spend an entire 24-hour shift with the heroes at Kadena's Fire Station 1 to see what the rigorous daily grind is like.My day started at 7:30 a.m.Eager to see what lay ahead, I met Senior Airman Sean Murphy, a 27-year-old,

Mission continues despite Mother Nature's fury

Three C-130 Hercules aircraft were evacuated from Yokota Air Base to Kadena just hours before Typhoon Roke struck mainland Japan Sept. 21. The typhoon, which stopped short of hitting Okinawa days earlier, strengthened before heading north -- triggering the evacuation of the aircraft and aircrew.Each

Team Kadena, schools join to keep education flowing

Understanding the proverb, "It takes a whole village to raise a child," Team Kadena has joined Department of Defense Dependent Schools Pacific - Okinawa to help educate the base's youth.Managed by Ami Prince, Air Force school liaison here, the Adopt-A-School program is a Kadena Air Base and DoDDS

Crash course in crash recovery

With more than 180 sorties flown out of Kadena every week, it's no surprise that not every one is going to be smooth. That's why Kadena's 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron has crash recovery units, North and South, to respond for heavy aircraft and fighter jets, respectively."We respond to all

TMO Airman helps move Kadena along

Whether it's obtaining orders or simulating a deployment, chances are many Team Kadena members have been helped by Senior Airman Cristofer Mercado, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron passenger travel clerk, at one time or another."Right now, my main job is passenger travel," he said as he prepared to

18th MUNS operates more than munitions

Kadena's 18th Munitions Squadron operates the Air Force's largest conventional munitions storage area, a total of 5,900 acres, to support all U.S. military and Japan Ground and Air Self-Defense Force activities.The squadron provides the wing and associate units with munitions for more than 12,000