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  • Gathering the tools to lead

    KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – Kadena Air Base hosted its first Squadron Superintendent Course for approximately a dozen senior noncommissioned officers, March 11 through 14. Senior NCOs from different squadrons under the 18th Wing attended the two-and-a-half-day course to develop themselves for future or

  • Protocol: Planning the Visitors – Visiting the Plans

    When distinguished visitors come to a base, every minute of their day is meticulously planned. Hotels, travel, formal dinners, seating locations – the entire process is much like a large puzzle. This is just a typical day at Kadena Air Base for the resident “puzzlemasters” behind the scenes – the

  • 18th Aerospace Medicine tests water, oil, soil

    Laboratory testing equipment sits on a counter at the 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron preventive medicine flight laboratory services March 8, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The lab tests many elements found in the environment of Okinawa, Japan, such as water, oil and soil. (U.S. Air Force photo

  • Key Spouses support the mission behind the scenes

    The Air Force Key Spouse program is an official Air Force family readiness program put in place at the unit level to help Airmen and their families be resilient through all of the challenges of being a member of the armed forces. While other programs for resiliency may be more visible to the naked

  • Work or play

    For many, being stationed overseas can be a blessing or a curse.

  • Always Prepare

    Okinawan and military first responders hosted a bilateral natural disaster exercise at Kadena Air Base Feb. 28, 2018, to test and improve evacuation procedures between members of Team Kadena and the local community.

  • Repairing the field, one hole at a time

    The sound of heavy machinery fills the air as dust flies. Noise grows louder as drills and saws cut through pavement, evidence of people hard at work. The cloud of dirt lifts overhead and clears to reveal the project behind the racket and debris– airfield repair.

  • Remembering the fallen

    Members of the 1st Special Operations Squadron visited the crash site of Stray 59 Feb. 26, to drop a wreath in honor for the eight aircrew members and 15 passengers who died there. The memorial flight has been flown by the 1st SOS every year since the crash 37 years ago. On Feb. 26, 1981, during the

  • Knick, knack, package stack, giving you your mail

    The 18th Force Support Squadron post office sorts packages and letters for nearly 10 thousand mail boxes. In the last month, Airmen and volunteers processed more than 280 thousand pieces of mail, and they want to process even more. During the first quarterly mail receptacle review of 2018, it was

  • Emergency response training ignites multi-nation friendships

    The training helicopter used by firefighters from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron arrives at the Okinawa Athletic Park, Feb. 23, 2018, in Okinawa City, Japan. Local Japanese firefighters and first-responders worked with 18th CES to prepare for a variety of scenarios involving many separate

  • Running since 1993

    Kadena Air Base has a history of supporting community events to strengthen community relations and build upon international friendships. They support the Okinawa International Carnival, host the Kadena Special Olympics, and open their gates to runners during the marathon.

  • Fabricate it ‘til you make it

    Imagine, for a moment, an F-15C Eagle. In the mind, it’slikely flying or looking neat and proper in a hangar, showing the kind of imageairshows are made of. Now picture that same aircraft with missing or brokenpanels. The view is different and probably nowhere near as pleasant. Withoutmembers of the

  • Tell us what you want; what you really, really want

    Every day people go to work, step through the door, grab their tools and start their daily mission. But one may wonder who purchased that vest, or that wrench, or even the pen and paper used to take notes in the weekly meetings? That’s where the 18th Contracting Squadron comes through.

  • Pavehawks, Eagles take flight

    U.S. Air Force Capt. Chris Allen, 33rd Rescue Squadron flight commander, walks toward an HH-60G Pavehawk before a flight Feb.13, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 33rd RQS has been stationed on the island of Okinawa, Japan, uninterrupted since 1971; they officially joined the 18th Wing in 1993.

  • It ships if it fits

    Ever wonder how aircraft parts get shipped out from the base? The 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron Traffic Management Office ships out any cargo that needs to be sent from units on Kadena Air Base to other installations. Whether it’s for resupply or repair, TMO outbound will get it there.