29 Dec 2016

Top Notch Maintainers

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Murrell, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs pre-flight checks on an F-15 Eagle Dec. 28, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th EMS performs power-checks on F-15 Eagles before routine flying missions. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Lynette M. Rolen/Released)

19 Dec 2016

Making new friends

Okinawan and American schoolchildren, along with volunteers from the two communities, take part in a community event meant to build new relationships for the students and to provide insight into another culture, Dec. 17, 2016, at the teen center on Kadena Air Base, Japan. The event included food, games, holiday lights and a song sung in both

16 Dec 2016

Out with the old, in with the new

Members of the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Water and Fuels Systems Maintenance team prepare a garbage disposal for installment at the Tee House Dec. 7, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. WFSM is responsible for installing equipment related to water and fuels to different areas of the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lynette M.

15 Dec 2016

Midnight Emergency

Kadena's rescue squadrons saved five crew members of an Osprey after a shallow water landing Dec. 13.

15 Dec 2016

Bellows honors Dec. 7 attack heroes

Approximately 100 people came together in honoring the legacy and heroism of Bellows servicemembers during a commemoration ceremony Dec. 8, 2016. The ceremony commemorated the heroic acts on display at Bellows during the Dec. 7, 1941, attacks on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. “It’s incredible to have this ceremony out here when for so long all the

15 Dec 2016

Best of the best

Eight of Kadena’s senior noncommissioned officers were recognized for their selection to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant Dec. 8.

13 Dec 2016

JASDF, USAF rescue five crewmembers after water landing

Members of the 33rd and 31st Rescue Squadrons from Kadena Air Base worked seamlessly with the Japan Air Self Defense Force and Japan Coast Guard as well as Marine assets to successfully rescue five MV-22 Osprey crewmembers with Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing following a landing in shallow water off the Okinawa coastline near Camp Schwab at approximately 10:00 p.m., Dec. 13.

13 Dec 2016

Civilian overseas assignments: A great way to serve

The thought of serving the country overseas as a civilian had never crossed my mind, never seriously anyway. I had received previous email solicitations for civil service jobs overseas and had always deleted them.I read an email asking for interest in a job at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, and I deleted it. After all, I was settled in my

13 Dec 2016

Testing... testing

Members of the fitness assessment cell, physical training leaders and Airmen participating in the Air Force physical fitness test gather inside of Risner Gym on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1 to assess current fitness levels. Physical fitness testing is a requirement for all Airmen, making sure they are fit-to-fight and carry out their unique components of the Air Force mission across the globe.

12 Dec 2016

Like Clockwork

Forklifts are driven to and fro in a warehouse as cargo is transported to pallets and readied for the long trip ahead. Airmen work quickly to tie down the cargo and as levers crank straps taught, and the package is secured, another forklift appears with another package and the Airmen start the process again – like clockwork.

12 Dec 2016

Time after time

Master Sgt. Thundercloud Hirajeta enlisted in the Air Force after graduating in 1996 from Kubasaki High School on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. He was sworn in by retired United States Marine Corps Maj. John Glenn, who had been his Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps instructor

12 Dec 2016

Fit to fight

U.S. Air Force Airmen participate in the run portion of the physical fitness test with physical training leaders, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Risner Fitness Center on Kadena Air Base, Japan. The running portion of the physical fitness test is a key part of the test and worth the most points toward a total fitness score. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman

8 Dec 2016

Renovating mission capability

The 18th Civil Engineer Squadron is conducting structural maintenance on a facility to be used by the 18th Munitions Squadron.

8 Dec 2016

Pacific Air Power

A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle from the 67th Fighter Squadron taxies on the runway Dec. 6, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather tactical fighter capable of maintaining air supremacy in any environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lynette M. Rolen/Released)

6 Dec 2016

Blades of Glory

U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 33rd Rescue Squadron take off Nov. 30, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. HH-60G rescue equipment includes a hoist capable of lifting a 600-pound load from a hover height of 200 feet, and a personnel locating system that is compatible with the PRC-112 survival radio and provides range and bearing information