April 6, 2026 18th Air Force Leadership visits Kadena U.S. Air Force Col. Patrick Winstead, Eighteenth Air Force deputy commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Arce, 18th AF command chief, visited Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 3, 2026, as part of a Pacific Air Forces immersion across the Indo-Pacific.
March 30, 2026 18th Munitions Squadron honors Okinawan heritage with tomb clean-up U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Munitions Squadron clear overgrown vegetation surrounding an Okinawan family's ancestral tomb in preparation for Shimi at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 25, 2026. Volunteers carefully removed overgrowth to protect the tombs while preparing the area for
March 26, 2026 909th ARS honors fallen KC-135 crew during vigil at Kadena Air Base Thousands of miles from the crash site in western Iraq, Airmen at Kadena Air Base, Japan, joined service members and families across the globe in mourning the loss of a KC-135 Stratotanker crew who died while supporting Operation Epic Fury.The vigil, held at the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, brought
March 24, 2026 Inaugural Joint Safety Summit strengthens readiness through collaboration More than 40 safety professionals from 11 organizations across four U.S. military services gathered at Kadena Air Base for the inaugural Joint Okinawa Safety Summit, March 20, 2026, strengthening collaboration and addressing shared risks across the joint force.
March 18, 2026 Operation Golden Gate 2 leaders honored for service beyond the gate Two Kadena Airmen were honored March 8, 2026, for leading a community cleanup effort that reflects the 18th Wing’s enduring commitment to being good neighbors and strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance. The Okinawa City Community Center presented certificates of exceptional volunteer service to U.S.
March 17, 2026 U.S., Japanese airpower integrate to strengthen deterrence during NATR 26-1 U.S. Air Force Airmen and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members strengthened bilateral integration and combat readiness during Nyutabaru Aviation Training Relocation exercise 26-1, at Nyutabaru Air Base, Japan, March 9 - 19, 2026.The exercise brought together forces from the 18th Wing and JASDF’s 5th
March 13, 2026 BM26: F-16C Fighting Falcons take off to Futenma for training U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 120th EFS, deployed to Kadena Air Base, takes off during a USAF-led operational exercise Beverley Midnight 26 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 10, 2026. The U.S. Air Force deploys its most advanced
March 13, 2026 BM26: U.S. Airmen and Marines simulate austere medical operations U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Medical Group and U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, simulated an Expeditionary Medical Support System facility during a USAF-led exercise Beverly Midnight 26 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 12, 2026.
March 13, 2026 BM26: Lessons on impact; Airmen respond to simulated attacks U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron discovered and reported three simulated unexploded ordnance during a USAF-led operational exercise Beverly Midnight 26 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 12, 2026.
March 13, 2026 BM26: Airmen train to deliver lifesaving blood with Project Valkyrie U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron and 909th Air Refueling Squadron demonstrated their medical capabilities by employing Project Valkyrie during a USAF-led operational exercise Beverly Midnight 26 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 12, 2026.
March 13, 2026 BM26: Every Airman can save a life U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Maintenance Operations Squadron tested their emergency response skills during a simulated injury scenario as part of a USAF Force-led operational exercise Beverly Midnight 26 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 12, 2026.
March 13, 2026 BM26: K-9 Unit dispatched after simulated attack Airmen from the 18th Security Forces Squadron patrolled the medical area while simulating an attack scenario. During the exercise, defenders searched for unexploded ordnance in areas likely to be targeted by adversaries, including medical facilities and the command post.
March 13, 2026 BM26: Firefighters respond to simulated aircraft emergency U.S. Air Force 18th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters responded to a simulated aircraft fire during a USAF-led operational exercise Beverly Midnight 26 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 12, 2026.
March 13, 2026 BM26: Joint hot pit refueling strengthens rapid airpower generation U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons assigned to the 120th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed to Kadena Air Base, conducted hot pit refueling with U.S. Marines during a U.S. Air Force-led operational exercise Beverly Midnight 26 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, March 11, 2026.