ORI kicks off at Kadena

Operation Beverly Bearcat 08-01 officially kicked off here Sunday as the 18th Wing began its Pacific Air Forces Operational Readiness Inspection. The inspection is scheduled to run through March 14. Inspectors from PACAF will formally evaluate the wing's ability to fulfill its commitments to defend

Airmen awarded Bronze Star, combat action medal

Three NCOs here were awarded the Bronze Star Medal, and one of them also received the Air Force Combat Action Medal, Feb. 27, for their actions while deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Master Sgts. Douglas Moore and Christopher Pollock, and Tech. Sgt. Stephen McGrath, all with the18th Civil Engineer

Spouses take ‘Shogun Look’ at wing mission

About 30 senior leader spouses got a sneak peek behind the scenes here Feb. 28 as part of a program designed to increase understanding of the Kadena Air Base mission. The Shogun Look Program is meant to give spouses of commanders, chiefs, and other senior leaders a closer look at the various

18th Wing goes to great lengths for OPSEC

Members of the 18th Wing Operations Security team are going to extremes to ensure that the wing is adhering to OPSEC principles. The team members randomly visit units on base and dive into the dumpsters to try and find sensitive material that has been thrown away, as part of an overall effort to

Game On: Kadena prepares to start ORI

Members of the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General team began arriving here at Kadena this week in preparation for next week's Operational Readiness Inspection.The ORI will test Team Kadena's ability to mobilize forces for deployment, generate combat aircraft and conduct operations from Kadena

Here she comes...

Period of Reflection ends, curfew implemented

Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, the Okinawa Area Coordinator and senior U.S. military commander on Okinawa, met with senior military and civilian leaders from all the services March 3 to evaluate the effects and impacts of the "Period of Reflection." During the past two weeks, leaders from each of the

Kadena supports 16th Okinawa Marathon

More than 300 volunteers and spectators gathered between gates 2 and 5 here Sunday to cheer on the nearly 9,335 runners in the 16th Okinawa Marathon. The first competitors through Gate 2 were greeted with cheers and signs of encouragement. "Kadena has opened its gates for the event since 1993," said

Shoguns continue final preparations for ORI

Next week the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General team will begin arriving here for the Kadena Air Base Operational Readiness Inspection, scheduled to officially begin March 10. Team Kadena Members have spent the past eight months preparing for this upcoming inspection by conducting local

National Prayer Breakfast: preparing for next month's ORI

Survive and thrive...getting ready for the Operational Readiness Inspection was the theme for the National Prayer Breakfast held at the Rocker NCO club here Feb. 22. Organizations gathered to be spiritually uplifted and offer prayers for the nation, plus something a little closer to home --

Survey to help determine Cost of Living Allowance

Service members with dependants assigned to Okinawa longer than three months will be required to participate in a Living Pattern Survey in March to determine if people need more or less Cost of Living Allowance in their paychecks. The LPS is sponsored by the Per Diem Travel and Transportation

Legendary pilot pays a visit to Kadena

A surviving pilot of a legendary aviator group spoke at the Rocker NCO Club Monday of a group of determined black men at the forefront of historic social change during World War II. Retired Lt. Col. Charles W. Dryden was one of 992 Tuskegee Airmen who answered the call to serve his country at a time

Honor Guard; Not just an extra duty, it's a lifestyle

TEN-HUT! Prepare for inspection! The entire honor guard flight moves as one with fluid precision. Standing motionless, every inch of their uniforms are scrutinized, their knowledge of drill and ceremonies tested. Some know only of these few elite Airmen as having an extra duty to perform, but they

18th CMS to get new Precision Measurement Equipment Lab

Precision is the key to mission success for one Kadena Air Base unit and that carries over to the very building they use. The 18th Component Maintenance Squadron Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory will get a new facility in July designed to meet their "precise" working environment. PMEL's

End of runway checks ensure safe flying

A small group of Airmen with the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron spend 12 hours a day at the end of the runway here for one primary purpose--to ensure F-15 Eagles get one final checkup before take off. Even with Kadena Air Base in the middle of a local operational readiness exercise, these Airmen