By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton, 18th Wing Public Affairs / Published November 22, 2019
Aircrew assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, fly an MC-130J Commando II over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. Launching from Guam, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft with Global Access Special Tactics teams onboard rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. These special operations missions demonstrate the 353rd SOG’s ability to deploy forces anytime, anyplace throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton) (This photo has been altered for operational security purposes by blurring out an aircrew member's face.)
A pilot assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, prepares an MC-130J Commando II for aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean. The 909th ARS performed refueling operations for 353rd SOG aircraft in order to facilitate long-range infiltration into Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
A pilot flying an MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, completes refueling operations with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, KAB, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean. Aerial refueling in order to expedite the operational timeline was essential to ensuring success during the exercise. Launching from Guam, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft with Global Access Special Tactics teams onboard rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
A pilot from the 17th Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, flying an MC-130J Commando II, performs refueling operations with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1. Kadena AB is home to both the 353rd SOG and 18th Wing, which participated in the long-range expeditionary basing exercise. As the largest U.S. installation within the Asia-Pacific region, Team Kadena provides a forward power projection platform while employing lethal, agile, resilient forces for contingency operations throughout the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
Special tactics airmen assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron sit on the ramp of an MC-130J Commando II from the 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1. A Global Access Special Tactics team from the 320th STS conducted a military freefall jump to seize, establish and control Wake Island Airfield. The 320th Special Tactics Squadron employs special tactics operators capable of conducting global access, precision strike, and personnel recovery operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton) (This photo has been altered for operational security purposes by blurring out faces.)
An Airman assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, overlooks the ocean near Wake Island, Wake Atoll, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. Two MC-130J Commando II aircraft with Global Access Special Tactics teams onboard rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
A 320th Special Tactics Squadron jumpmaster overlooks Wake Island, Wake Atoll, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean. A Global Access Special Tactics team from the 320th STS conducted a military freefall jump to seize, establish, and control Wake Island Airfield. The 320th Special Tactics Squadron employs Special Tactics Operators capable of conducting Global Access, Precision Strike, and Personnel Recovery Operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
Airmen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron perform a night jump above Wake Island, Wake Atoll, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean. Launching from Guam, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft with Global Access Special Tactics teams onboard rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. These special operations missions demonstrate the 353rd SOG’s ability to deploy forces anytime, anyplace throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
Forward Air Refueling Point Airmen assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, perform refueling operations on Wake Island, Wake Atoll, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. The Airmen were attached to the 353rd Special Operations Squadron during the exercise. The purpose of Gryphon Pacific 20-1 was to employ lethal, agile, resilient forces throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. This was accomplished by conducting long-range expeditionary basing operations within a high-threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
Forward Area Refueling Point Airmen temporarily assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, discuss mission objectives while supporting the 353rd Special Operations Group during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. Under the cover of darkness, the FARP team performed operations on Wake Island, Wake Atoll, while Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element team members and special operations team members assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces on both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
Forward Area Refueling Point Airmen temporarily assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, point toward mission objectives supporting the 353rd Special Operations Group during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. FARP operations are an essential part of the expeditionary basing concept. Special operators use the ability to go anywhere and establish an airfield in order to bring in forces, refuel, rearm, and continue the mission wherever it’s needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
Forward Area Refueling Point Airmen temporarily assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, and Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element team members, exit an MC-130J Commando II aircraft while supporting the 353rd Special Operations Group, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. The DAGRE and FARP operations are an essential part of the expeditionary basing concept. Special operators are able to go anywhere and establish an airfield in order to bring in forces, refuel, rearm, and continue the mission wherever it’s needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
An Airman assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, is worked on by a medical team member from the 353rd Special Operations Group, during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care scenario during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. The purpose of Gryphon Pacific was to exercise the 353rd SOG’s ability to employ lethal, agile, resilient forces throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton) (This photo has been altered for operational security purposes by blurring out the member's face and identifying marks.)
Airmen assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron jump from a 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II during military freefall training at Kwajalein Atoll Nov. 16, 2019. The purpose of Gryphon Pacific was to exercise the 353d Special Operations Group’s ability to employ lethal, agile, resilient forces throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. Airmen hailing from 353rd SOG and 18th Wing conducted detailed planning and executed a complex mission with multiple tasks. The main focus of the exercise was to conduct long-range expeditionary basing operations within a high-threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
Airmen assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron jump from a 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II during military freefall training at Kwajalein Atoll Nov. 16, 2019. The jump training was an essential part of Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1. The 353rd SOG Airmen conducted additional proficiency training to capitalize on the opportunity to hone military freefall jump capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)
Editor's note: Due to operations security, Airmen are not fully identified in this story.
Warm air suddenly whips throughout the aircraft, breaking the calm of the long flight above the Pacific Ocean just after midnight.
Anticipation can be felt among the operators and teammates inside…waiting for the signal to spring into action.
Unfazed by the roaring wind, the jumpmaster leans outside the back of the aircraft. He is from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron. A smile crosses his face. He knows his mission completely. He focuses on the small, moonlit island where his team’s objective lies, then turns to his fellow operators and gives them the command to jump.
Stomach lurch; wind ripping past…they fall; in complete control while tearing through the salty, cool, midnight air. Streaking in a targeted, precision free-fall toward their target, Wake Island airfield.
“During Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, the 353rd Special Operations Group, using its special tactics airmen and special operations aviators, flew several thousand miles arriving at two separate remote locations,” said the mission commander from the 353rd SOG. “These special tactics airmen performed a free-fall jump to establish airfields which included Forward Area Refueling Point sites.”
Launching from Guam, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft with Global Access Special Tactics teams onboard rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night.
For the mission commander and his teams, a key aspect of the training was in the planning phase, which challenged them to work through the logistics, coordination, and preparation needed to ensure they were properly equipped and prepared to rapidly respond whenever and wherever needed.
“The mission scenario included an opposition force with high-end capabilities challenging our Airmen to think through different problems sets that do not exist in other permissive environments,” he continued. “This type of mission is crucial for operating in the Pacific theater, which is the largest area of responsibility. Delivering military capabilities can be challenging without always having large established bases to operate out of.”
He continued by explaining how having and using the ability to rapidly deploy to remote locations and setup austere airfields provides his leadership, their joint partners, and allies with a wide range of options to accomplish their objectives.
A vital objective of the airfield seizure training was to use the area as a refueling platform for additional aircraft.
Bringing the FARP personnel was a key part of training,” said the mission commander. “The MC-130J has a wide-range of unique and specialized capabilities, including the ability to transfer fuel to other aircraft both in the air and on the ground.”
This capability is extremely valuable as it provides a refueling point anywhere aircraft can land, thus extending the reach of airpower.
“Our mission was to perform FARP training operations alongside the 353rd Special Operations Group, refining our ability to use remote locations to extend our combat readiness across the Indo-Pacific,” stated the FARP team leader. “Our responsibility is providing refueling capabilities to U.S. and coalition forces in the region. Gryphon Pacific showcased some new and exciting ideas and opportunities to increase those capabilities and interoperability opportunities in the future.”
Providing security for the FARP team members and special operations aviators was an elite Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element team.
These highly-trained DAGRE members are experts in ensuring proper force protection measures are met when aircraft are operating out of austere locations.
“When we have an aircraft on the airfield, for ten minutes or up to seven hours, we’re there to make sure nothing bad happens,” said the DAGRE team leader. “During this exercise specifically, we also provided security for the FARP team, as well as the other aircraft coming in for refueling. The airfield is so isolated that a response element from allies could take too long to arrive therefore, we want to make sure we have the ability to land, establish security, and then get out as quickly as needed.”
Supporting agencies from Kadena AB assisted the 353rd SOG members with ensuring mission success.
“Our partnership with 18th Wing was instrumental in accomplishing this exercise,” explained the mission commander. “Our team stands ready to defend America and its allies should any emergency, crisis or contingency operation arise. We look forward to attacking complex problem sets together as we work to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.”