33rd Rescue Squadron returns from Afghanistan

After saving 48 lives and transporting 17 injured people to safety, Airmen from Kadena's 33rd Rescue Squadron returned home from a three-month deployment to Afghanistan between Jan. 15 and 19. While deployed, the 33rd RQS conducted 24-hour combat search and rescue alerts in support of U.S. and

Team Kadena prepares for triennial PACAF audit

Team Kadena is preparing for an external Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program audit that will be conducted from Jan. 26 through Feb. 3. During the audit, Pacific Air Forces assessment teams will visit various units and evaluate Kadena's

Unleash your inner dragon

In a few months, the weather will be warmer, flowers will bloom and the beaches will fill with sun worshippers. Another sign that spring has come will be noticeable at Naha Port, where the air will be filled with the sound of cheering spectators and the rhythmic beat of a metal gong. Those sounds

Team Kadena celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. would be proud of the changes that have taken place in America, said "second generation" Tuskegee Airman Col. Richard Toliver Jan. 16. Col. Toliver, a retired Air Force F-15 test pilot, spoke to more than 400 Kadena Airmen and civilians at a luncheon honoring Dr. King. "Martin

Unmatched Airpower

DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam surveys students and parents

A customer satisfaction survey for families with children in DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam is currently being conducted through Feb. 28. The survey provides valuable feedback to the Department of Defense Educational Activity from its most important customers - students and parents - about the quality of

Okuma Recreation Facility provides affordable R&R opportunities

Where can servicemembers, civilians and their families go on Okinawa to unwind and recharge for the weekend? The Okuma Recreation Facility, run by Kadena Air Base, is located in the northern part of Okinawa and offers outdoor sports and activities and a relaxing environment at affordable rates. "We

18th Wing aircrews excel in DMO Turkey Shoot

18th Wing aircrews showed their skills in a virtual combat environment recently during Air Combat Command's second annual Combat Air Forces simulator competition. The Distributed Mission Operations Turkey Shoot, held Dec. 8-12, placed F-15 and E-3 AWACS crews from ACC, USAFE and PACAF in realistic

Kadena turns on the heat

With an unusually cold winter upon us here in Okinawa, it's important for Kadena residents to understand how decisions are made with respect to heating in base housing. The 718th Civil Engineer Squadron activated the heat in housing units serviced by central heat plants Jan. 15, and some base

New command chief lays out priorities

The new 18th Wing Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Michael J. Warner, is ready to lead the wing's Airmen to new heights.Following his command chief assignment with the 100th Air Refueling Wing at Royal Air Force Station, Mildenhall, England, he was honored to be selected to serve as Kadena's senior

Commentary: "Get Movin' Rocks"

I don't remember where I heard this parable, but the moral of the story has stuck with me. A king completed construction on an immense road through his land and offered a contest to commemorate its grand opening. He selected three great sportsmen to travel along the road and promised a large prize

Raptors begin training with 18th Wing

F-22 Raptors took to the skies here Jan. 14 as the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron began flight operations with the 18th Wing. The Raptors will spend the next several months conducting air combat training alongside Kadena's F-15s and will work to integrate with all of the aircraft assigned to

Kadena dorm residents competing for $3,000 in inspection money

Kadena dormitory residents recently swept, mopped, vacuumed, straightened, rearranged and tidied up for a team of "white-gloved" inspectors as part of the base's quarterly dorm competition. This was no garden-variety dorm inspection, however, because $3,000 is at stake in this highly competitive

Kadena Civil Engineers earn top Air Force honors

Kadena's 18th Civil Engineer Group was awarded the Major General Robert H. Curtin Award as the most outstanding civil engineer unit in the Air Force. Competing in the large unit category, the 18th CEG, which is comprised of the 18th and 718th Civil Engineer Squadrons, won the most prestigious award

Raptors return to the Pacific

Six F-22 Raptors arrived at Kadena Air Base Jan. 10 and another four arrived Jan. 12 as part of a three-month deployment in support of U.S. Pacific Command's security obligations in the Western Pacific. To see video of the arrival Jan. 10, click here.The planes landed each day after a 10-hour flight