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  • U.S. Air Force Captains Marissa Strauss and Tyler Branyan, 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilots, conduct a preflight check prior to a sortie Feb. 27, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 909th ARS supported the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) with training and refueling operations during the carrier’s regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of the U.S. 3rd Fleet in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft/Released)

    Kadena 909th ARS refuels USS Carl Vinson Super Hornets and Growlers

    U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron supported the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) with refueling support for fighter aircraft over the Philippine Sea throughout last week.
  • Airmen from the 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit dispose of leaves during a volunteer event at Yara Elementary School March 5, 2017, at Kadena Town, Japan. Airmen from the 909th AMU volunteer in Kadena Town to better their selves and build community relations with local Okinawans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Omari Bernard/Released)

    Tigers in Kadena Town

    Airmen from the 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit volunteered with the Kadena Ryoku Ju Kai, to landscape Yura Elementary School March 15, 2017.
  • Instructors and training managers from the 18th Maintenance Training Flight, provide hands on training on the flightline Feb. 28, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th Maintenance Training Flight introduced a new core task for new electrical and environmental maintainers station on Kadena. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Omari Bernard/Released)

    Starting off right

    The aircraft maintainers of Kadena Air Base, Japan, work hard to fix and keep aircraft flying. With the busy operations tempo of the U.S. Air Force’s largest combat wing, it can be difficult to provide quality training to brand new Airmen while quickly readying an aircraft to fly again.
  • U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Brock McGehee, 44th Fighter Squadron F-15 Eagle pilot, shows Kadena Middle School students the cockpit of an F-15C Eagle, March 3, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. KMS students learned about the 18th Operations Support Squadron during a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math tour. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Omari Bernard)

    Fighter Pilots teach STEM

    More than 100 middle schoolers from Kadena Middle School toured the 18th Operations Support Squadron March 3 to learn how the U.S. Air Force's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math initiative relates to its work force.
  • U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joshua Tuckett, 18th Operations Support Squadron weather technician, is on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to participate in annual Exercise Cope North. Tuckett is responsible for providing essential weather information to aircrew and mission planers before every flight. Members of Kadena Air Base, Japan, are among 2,700 U.S. Airmen, Sailors and Marines who are training alongside approximately 600 combined JASDF and Royal Australian Air Force service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

    Team Kadena: The faces of Cope North

    U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Justin Olivo, 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, is on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to participate in annual Exercise Cope North. Olivo and other members of the 18th Wing are among 2,700 U.S. Airmen, Sailors and Marines who are training alongside approximately 600 combined JASDF and Royal Australian Air Force service
  • U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Luke Story, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, prepares to conduct aerial refueling while being observed by Japan Air Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Yoshifumu Takase March 1, 2017, off the coast of Guam. The refueling was conducted for exercise Cope North, an annual gathering of Japanese, U.S. and Australian service members who train to increase combat readiness and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

    Takin’ allies for a ride

    U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Luke Story, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, prepares to conduct aerial refueling while being observed by Japan Air Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Yoshifumu Takase March 1, 2017, off the coast of Guam. The refueling was conducted for exercise Cope North, an annual gathering of Japanese, U.S. and Australian
  • A 44th Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle flies through the sky Mar. 2, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Pilots bear the responsibility of defending Okinawa and Japan from adversaries seeking to harm U.S. and allied partners within the Indo-Asian Pacific Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Omari Bernard/Released)

    ‘Vampires’ can fly in daylight

    A 44th Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle flies through the sky Mar. 2, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Pilots bear the responsibility of defending Okinawa and Japan from adversaries seeking to harm U.S. and allied partners within the Indo-Asian Pacific Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Omari Bernard/Released)
  • U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Austin Perry from the 962nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepares to marshal an E-3 Sentry from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron during annual exercise Cope North Feb. 23, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The exercise provides opportunities for Airmen from different units and nations to train and work with each other’s airframes. The Sentry has rotating radar that has a range of more than 250 miles, providing early warning and detection for missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

    Cope North on radar

    U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Austin Perry from the 962nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepares to marshal an E-3 Sentry from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron during annual exercise Cope North Feb. 23, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The exercise provides opportunities for Airmen from different units and nations to train and work with
  • An F-15 Eagle pilot and maintainers from the 44th Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit, test an Eagle prior to takeoff, Feb. 14, 2017, on Kadena Air Base, Japan. Members of the 44th FS and AMU conducted training as part of a multi-branch exercise with U.S. Navy pilots and maintainers from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nick Emerick/Released)

    Teamwork makes the dream work

    Members of the 44th Fighter Squadron on Kadena Air Base, Japan, hosted training as part of a multi-branch exercise with U.S. Navy pilots and maintainers from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. The exercise took place Feb. 13 – 17, and allowed members from both services to learn about the different types of operations conducted by each other, as well as the capabilities of the other’s aircrafts.
  • U.S. Air Force 33rd Rescue Squadron has been station on the island of Okinawa, Japan, uninterrupted since 1971, they officially joined the 18th Wing in 1993. The 33rd RQS plays a vital part in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific Region by providing forward power projection as well as search, rescue and recovery mission capabilities. The HH-60G Pave Hawk, which is capable of rescue missions in different environments, night or day, is used by the 33rd RQS. The 33rd RQS maintains readiness for mobilization, deployment and employment of helicopters and rescue of U.S. and allied military members, and civilians when necessary. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman Nick Emerick/Released)

    Then and now

    U.S. Air Force 33rd Rescue Squadron has been station on the island of Okinawa, Japan, uninterrupted since 1971, they officially joined the 18th Wing in 1993. The 33rd RQS plays a vital part in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific Region by providing forward power projection as well as search, rescue and recovery mission capabilities. The
  • U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 67th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron form up before conducting a foreign object debris walk Feb, 23, 2017 on the flightline of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The 67th AMU flew from Kadena Air Base, Japan, to support one of the 22 flying units participating in annual exercise Cope North. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

    Weapons Airmen prep jets for combat

    Weapons Airmen flew to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to support 15 Eagles from the 67th Fighter Squadron for this year’s iteration of Cope North. The exercise includes a total of 22 flying units comprised of members from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force, U.S. Navy, Air force and Marine Corps.
  • U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Jaeger and Airman 1st Class Bradley Romaker, 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit aerospace propulsion technicians, prepare to conduct an engine power run onboard a KC-135R Stratotanker Feb. 16, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Aerospace propulsion technicians maintain engines to ensure safety of flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Omari Bernard/Released)

    Full Throttle

    The KC-135R Stratotankers stationed on Kadena Air Base have a critical role in the U.S. Air Force’s mission in the Pacific. It provides global reach and air refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft in the Pacific Theater.
  • U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Detrick Hysaw, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron AE technician, configures a Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130 Hercules with Royal Australian Air Force Airmen for patient transport Feb. 21, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Aeromedical evacuation Airmen from Kadena Air Base, Japan, completed medical training with Australian and Japanese airmen during annual exercise Cope North. The 18th AES maintains a forward presence and supports medical contingencies in the Pacific, reaching from the Horn of Africa to Alaska. (Courtesy photo)

    Trilateral training expands life-saving capabilities

    Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron conducted trilateral training with members of the Royal Australian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Feb. 21, at Andersen Air Base, Guam, as part of annual exercise Cope North.
  • U.S. Air Force Maj. Marc Morris, 67th Fighter Squadron F-15 Eagle pilot, speaks to media Feb. 22, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. A flightline tour was conducted as an opportunity for reporters to observe operations of annual exercise Cope North. Squadrons from various U.S., Australian and Japanese air force units provided aircraft static displays to reporters, demonstrating their level of commitment and posture to protect and stabilize the Indo-Asia Pacific. Participants from Kadena Air Base included the 909th Air Refueling Squadron and 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

    Team Kadena: Cope North on display

    U.S. Air Force Maj. Marc Morris, 67th Fighter Squadron F-15 Eagle pilot, speaks to media Feb. 22, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. A flightline tour was conducted as an opportunity for reporters to observe operations of annual exercise Cope North. Squadrons from various U.S., Australian and Japanese air force units provided aircraft static
  • U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Voorhees, 909th Air Refueling Squadron instructor boom operator, provides a safety brief to local and foreign reporters aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker Feb. 21, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Reporters flew with the 909th ARS to observe air refueling operations during trilateral exercise Cope North. The exercise is held annually to improve combat readiness, develop synergistic humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, and increase interoperability between the U.S., Royal Australian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier/released)

    909th ARS refuels Cope North

    U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Voorhees, 909th Air Refueling Squadron instructor boom operator, provides a safety brief to local and foreign reporters aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker Feb. 21, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Reporters flew with the 909th ARS to observe air refueling operations during trilateral exercise Cope North. The
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