Airman 1st Class Corey J. Smith, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, and Capt. Jeff Grossman, 67th Fighter Squadron F-15 pilot, perform preflight checks on a U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle during a local operational readiness exercise on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 9, 2013. The 18th Wing is home to the Air Force's largest combat wing and is the Pacific hub for delivering quick, lethal airpower in support of contingencies and operations in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)

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Tech. Sgt. Maxine Steed, 18th Medical Group allergy immunization specialist, gives an Airman processing through a mock deployment line vaccine during a local operational readiness exercise on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 10, 2013. LOREs are conducted to test the base's ability to receive and deploy Airmen rapidly to support real world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marcus Morris)

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Senior Airman Erica Demattei Hopper assists Staff Sgt. Michael Vallejo, both 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians, with his helmet for a bomb disposal suit in response to a suspicious bag during a local operational readiness exercise on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 10, 2013. The 18th CES Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight responds to more than 50 disposal operations a year, to include disposing World War II ordnance still found on Okinawa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amber E. N. Jacobs)

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Tech. Sgt. Karla Peters, 18th Force Support Squadron section chief of customer support, reviews her mobility folder during a local operational readiness exercise on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 9, 2013. LOREs help airmen prepare for real world deployments through various training exercises and scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keith A. James)

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Airman 1st Class Bryan Orozco, and Airman Evan Plauche both assigned to the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainers, move equipment into position to be palletized for a local operational readiness exercise on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 9, 2013. Kadena performs LOREs on a regular basis to keep Airmen proficient on mobility, deployment, reception, bedding down of forces, employment and self-aid and buddy care, for possible real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marcus Morris)

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18th CS PAR team rolls out

A member of the 18th Communication Squadron post-attack reconnaissance team changes simulated contaminated chemical detection paper during a local operational readiness exercise on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 11, 2013. The U.S. Air Force uses paper to detect the presence of nerve and blister agents during a chemical attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Malia Jenkins)

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Realistic wounds provides realistic training

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Evelyn Sanchez-Jalomo, 18th Dental Squadron dental laboratory craftsman, applies fake blood to simulate a head wound on Senior Airman Jessica Ashe, 18th Force Support Squadron assistant sports director, during a local operational readiness exercise on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 11, 2013. The simulated wounds are made to look as realistic as possible to ensure personnel respond more accurately while treating the victim. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marcus Morris)

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Local exercise begins, tests Kadena operations

Published Sept. 9, 2013
By Senior Airman Malia Jenkins
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Team Kadena is conducting a local operational readiness exercise this week to ensure Airmen are prepared for future real world contingencies, maintain regional stability and are equipped to fight tonight, win tomorrow.

LOREs are base-wide exercises designed to test units' abilities to respond and react to real-life scenarios and allow Airmen to train effectively in a safe environment.

Tech. Sgt. Joshua Knepp, 18th Wing Plans and Programs NCO in charge of wing exercises, said the purpose of the exercise and its scenarios are to test the wing's ability to deploy and execute wartime operations and show Kadena is well-trained, ready and prepared to complete its mission.

Since the operational readiness inspection Oct. 15, 2012, there has been a huge turnover of personnel and incorporating new personnel into wing operations is critical, Knepp added.

Airmen will spend the week training on how to conduct various tasks that can be applied to life in a deployed area or emergency situations.

"These exercises add to our strategic capability in the region," said Knepp. "They ensure we are exactly what we say we are -- a combat-ready unit."

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18th CS PAR team rolls out

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Local exercise begins, tests Kadena operations