Shoguns welcome new operations group commander

A University of Colorado alumnus and two-time Distinguished Flying Cross recipient assumed command of the 18th Operations Group during a ceremony June 28 in the AWACS Hangar here at Kadena Air Base.Colonel David Nahom took command from Col. Ronald Banks, who served as the 18th OG commander since

Wing vice commander has final flight

Colonel Lenny Richoux, 18th Wing vice commander, flew his final sortie as a Shogun June 25 as part of a fomation of four KC-135 Stratotankers.Photojournalist Senior Airman Amanda Grabiec was on the flightline to capture his last flight at Kadena. The colonel will assume command of the 6th Air

Sentry of the skies

18th MDG welcomes new commander

Col. Barbara King took command of the 18th Medical Group from Col. Frederick Schaefer during a change of command ceremony at the Rocker NCO Club June 25. Colonel King recently served as the Director of Dental Programs and Resources for the Air Force Medical Support Agency at Bolling Air Force Base

Opening Gate 4 at Kadena easing traffic, adding convenience

Kadena Air Base has a population of more than 20,000 servicemembers and civilians. Obviously, this can cause heavy traffic at the gates. Marine Lance Cpl. Nate Carberry explains how the opening of one of the previously-closed gates is making trips to and from Kadena more convenient.

Security Forces keep Kadena safe

The men and women of the 18th Security Forces Squadron are charged with securing Kadena Air Base's perimeter, as well as maintaining order inside the fenceline. After 13 weeks of technical training, Security Forces airmen are ready to protect and serve miliatry members at duty stations across the

Voluntary separation, retirement deadlines near

As the window to voluntarily separate or retire closes, Air Force officials urge Airmen impacted by force management who are interested in transitioning from the active-duty force to do so quickly before the cutoff dates later this month."Volunteering ahead of retention boards will give officers

Okinawa Expressway goes toll-free June 28

Travelers on Okinawa's Expressway will have a little more money in their pockets starting June 28 when the requirement to pay tolls is eliminated. According to Nihon Expressway Company Okinawa Branch, the toll-free expressway is a pilot program for that will run until March 31, 2011. Although the

Kadena Base Bulletin

To submit an announcement for the base bulletin, please email a short paragraph (NOT bullets) containing essential information (who, what, when, where, why, how) to kadena.basebulletin@kadena.af.mil. Announcements typically run for two weeks beginning two weeks prior to an event. Submissions must be

Spouses create a network of friends

Where can you find free food, free child care for the evening, make new friends, and create a network with squadron leadership and agencies? You can find all this and more at the Deployed Spouses Dinner held once a month, courtesy of the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The spouses of deployed

390th IS brings USAF to the top of Battle of the Services Fitness Challenge

It started with 13 eight-person teams represented by Airmen, Sailors, and Soldiers. All competing for the chance to claim this year's title as the Battle of the Services Fitness Challenge Winner. At the end of the elimination round, which consisted of four person push ups, sit ups, and a litter

Eye on fitness: Staying fit through weightlifting

How do you stay fit? Kadena members currently score an average of about 80 out of 100 points on their fitness test, while about eight percent of testers fail altogether. The fit test you know and love is changing, are you prepared for those changes? There are numerous physical activities at Kadena

718th CES recognized for environmental efforts

Kadena's 718th Civil Engineer Squadron was recently recognized by Headquarters U.S. Forces Japan for its environmental efforts. The 718th CES was awarded the Installation Environmental Excellence Award for Pollution Prevention during a ceremony at Camp Foster May 27. "In a world of ever decreasing

Kadena to celebrate July Fourth with a bang at Marek Park

The Schilling Community Center in cooperation with other Force Support activities brings to Kadena Air Base what will be the biggest event of the year, with this year's July Fourth Celebration from 3-9 p.m. at Marek Park. Festivities will conclude with a fireworks show beginning at 8:30 p.m.Other

More than 200 selected for promotion to TSgt

More than 200 of Kadena's promotion-eligible staff sergeants were selected to become technical sergeants following the Air Force Personnel Center's release Thursday night.Overall, Air Force officials selected 7,752 of 37,185 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant for a