Kadena Air Base

Exercise WestPac Rumrunner

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan, prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from Kadena Air Base, Japan, during the third iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner, Oct. 16, 2020. WestPac Rumrunner enables units and assets currently stationed or on Temporary Duty in the Western Pacific area of responsibility to train together without the typical demands of a TDY. The exercise incorporated over 45 aircraft from across the services including the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner

An F-15D Eagle from the 44th Fighter Squadron receives aerial refueling by a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during the third iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner, Oct. 16, 2020 from Kadena Air Base, Japan. The exercise provided opportunities to hone critical expeditionary skillsets and increase interoperability in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Projecting combat air power has its own set of challenges and having the opportunity to practice that capability is crucial in enhancing the 18th Wing’s agile combat employment skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly beside a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, waiting to be refueled during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner, Oct. 16, 2020, out of Kadena Air Base, Japan. The National Defense Strategy directs the armed forces to be more lethal, enhance relationships with allies and partners, and encourage institutional reform. The 18th Wing is employing this directive by developing and continuing new training exercises like WestPac Rumrunner. This exercise represents an evolution in training to adapt to the environment of great power competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner

Capt. Eli Spring a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, goes through a pre-flight check list in preparation for a refueling mission during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner, Oct. 16, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. PACAF is validating new ways to deploy and maneuver assets in order to operate in contested environments through exercises, engagements and operations like WestPac Rumrunner. The 18th Wing-led exercise represents an evolution in the capabilities of 18th Wing assets to work with joint partners to defend American allies and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron is peacefully parked on the flightline while the rest of Kadena Air Base slowly awakes for Exercise WestPac Rumrunner, Oct. 16, 2020 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Aerial refueling magnifies the reach of military assets and ensures forward-deployed forces in the Indo-Pacific are ready to protect and defend partners, allies and U.S. interests at a moment’s notice. This exercise tested the 18th Wing’s ability to project air power across a vast distance and defend different aircraft performing multiple mission sets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

Lt. Col. Craig Van Beusekom, commander of the 67th Fighter Squadron, conducts command-and-control operations while communicating with pilots from the 67th FS during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020. “During Rumrunner, we had the first KC-46 air refueling operations of Kadena F-15s,” Van Beusekom explained. “The team honed skills in defensive counter air, offensive counter air, combat search and rescue and air refueling.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristan Campbell)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

Lt. Col. Craig Van Beusekom, commander of the 67th Fighter Squadron, conducts command-and-control operations while communicating with pilots from the 67th FS during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020. “Rumrunner 3.0 was an awesome, high-end training opportunity for the F-15 pilots of the 44th and 67th Fighter Squadrons at Kadena,” Van Beusekom said. “The overall mission was remarkable--we launched 45 U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps aircraft of 11 types from five locations.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristan Campbell)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner

An Airman from the 18th Operations Support Squadron wears an 18th OSS patch during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020. The day-long exercise hailed several aircraft to include P-8s, F-16s and C-130Js; some coming all the way from Yokota and Misawa, as well as many home station aircraft – providing a number of training opportunities from the planning to the completion of the exercise. Kadena’s air traffic control tower utilizes training and experience in order to create an efficient and safe environment for the aircraft to depart and recover. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristan Campbell)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

Airmen assigned to the 18th Operations Support Squadron perform air traffic control duties during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020. The 18th Wing executed the third iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner with joint partners with a focus on improved interoperability and fine-tuning of agile combat employment concepts. ACE is the cornerstone of the wing’s operating concept. It enables forces to operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring multi-capable Airmen are postured in a position of advantage to generate combat power. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristan Campbell)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

Senior Airman Andrew Jeffers, tower controller assigned to the 18th Operations Support Squadron, directs air traffic during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020. “At Kadena’s Air Traffic Control Tower, we utilize our training and experience inorder to create an efficient and safe environment for the aircraft to depart and recover,” said Master Sgt. Ashleigh Gore, tower chief controller. “During Westpac Rumrunner, we have to leanon our prior knowledge and skills in order to maximize our service capabilities to accommodate for the addition of various aircraft characteristics. The controllers view this as a welcomed challenge and look forward to the different operations that occur during the exercise.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristan Campbell)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

Two C-130J Super Hercules’ from the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan, taxi on Kadena Air Base, Japan, for the third iteration of WestPac Rumrunner held Oct. 16, 2020. This exercise represents an evolution in training to adapt to the environment of great power competition. Air assets from United States Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps units throughout the region participated in the exercise in addition to E-3s, F-15s, KC-135s, HH-60s, MC-130s and P8s from Kadena Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

A C-130J Super Hercules from the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan, lands on Kadena Air Base, Japan, for the third iteration of WestPac Rumrunner held Oct. 16, 2020. This exercise is a way to integrate a variety of skills into one training scenario and test interoperability with other services. This is an example of how the military continues to adapt and improve training every day to ensure readiness if ever called upon to defend the vital interests of the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebeckah Medeiros)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

Airmen from the 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepare to reload an F-15C Eagle during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020. The forward air refueling point mission supports contingency and exercise operations to refuel aircraft and equipment in austere locations where typical air-to-air refueling or established refueling stations are not available. Projecting combat air power has its own set of challenges and having the opportunity to practice that capability is crucial in enhancing the 18th Wing’s agile combat employment skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Raughton)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles and an E-3 Sentry aircraft assigned to the 18th Wing fly in formation after participating in Exercise Westpac Rumrunner, out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020. Taking steps to innovate and integrate during exercises and operations enhances readiness and lethality for the 18th Wing, its allies and partners so the wing is ready to respond quickly. The various efforts undertaken to promote the PACAF mission directly contribute to the ability to strengthen alliances and partnerships with an emphasis on interoperability, domain awareness, information sharing, and disaster response. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron refuels U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan and a U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle from the 67th Fighter Squadron while participating in Exercise Westpac Rumrunner, out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020. The 18th Wing executed the third iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner with joint partners with a focus on improved interoperability and fine-tuning of agile combat employment concepts. ACE is the cornerstone of the wing’s operating concept. It enables forces to operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring multi-capable Airmen are postured in a position of advantage to generate combat power. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel E. Fernandez)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group and 18th Logistic Readiness Squadron roll up a fuel line after refueling aircraft during forward area refueling point operations for the third iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. “Ground personnel and aircrew practiced alert scrambles and forward air refueling operations of F-15 and F-16 aircraft from C-130s, an essential part of PACAF’s focus on agile combat employment,” said Lt. Col. Craig Van Beusekom, Rumrunner 3.0 airboss and 67th Fighter Squadron commander. The FARP mission supports contingency and exercise operations to refuel aircraft and equipment in austere locations where typical air-to-air refueling or established refueling stations are not available. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Micaiah Anthony)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S. Air Force forward area refueling point Airmen assigned to the 18th Logistic Readiness Squadron prepare to refuel an F-16 Fighting Falcon during the third iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. One intent of WestPac Rumrunner is to integrate specific skills Airmen practice regularly into one integrated, joint scenario. The 18th Wing brings a diverse array of capabilities to the table – air superiority, aerial refueling, airborne command and control, combat search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, special operations, and a variety of combat support services in addition to the contributions of our joint partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Micaiah Anthony)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group and 18th Logistic Readiness Squadron stand-by during forward area refueling point operations for the third iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. PACAF is validating new ways to deploy and maneuver assets in order to operate in contested environments through exercises, engagements and operations like WestPac Rumrunner. The 18th Wing-led exercise represents an evolution in the capabilities of 18th Wing assets to work with joint partners to defend American allies and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Micaiah Anthony)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group and 18th Logistic Readiness Squadron stand-by during forward area refueling point operations for the third iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Exercises that utilize agile combat employment concepts ensure forward-deployed forces in the Indo-Pacific are ready to protect and defend partners, allies and U.S. interests at a moment’s notice. ACE-related activities exemplify the National Defense Strategy by being strategically predictable, but operationally unpredictable. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Micaiah Anthony)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joseph Murvich, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron forward area refueling point team member, prepares a fuel line for use during the third iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The name Rumrunner originates from the Prohibition era where brigands would smuggle alcohol across county lines. These events were known as “rum running” and soon became a catchall term adopted by the military to describe a covert, swift strike event; designed to disrupt and disorient the enemy by emerging suddenly and ending the conflict just as quickly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Micaiah Anthony)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S. Airmen from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron provide tactical command and control to air units while aboard an E-3 Sentry during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, out of Kadena Air Base, Japan. WestPac Rumrunner represents an evolution of joint training in support of the National Defense Strategy. The NDS directs the armed forces to be more lethal, improve relationships with allies and partners and to encourage institutional reform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft)

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201016-F-YW474-0010

U.S. Airmen from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron monitor indication friend or foe systems aboard an E-3 Sentry during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, out of Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 961st AACS was a critical piece of the exercise, which focused on defensive counter air capabilities and joint interoperability using agile combat employment concepts. ACE is the cornerstone of the wing’s operating concept. It enables forces to operate from locations with varying levels of capacity & support, ensuring multi-functional Airmen are postured in a position of advantage to generate combat power. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles takeoff from the runway and taxi along the flightline during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th Wing must be ready to cooperate with regional partners, ready to compete against peer adversaries, and ready to fight tonight should there be a need to do so. By continuously exercising, the 18th Wing is able to bolster lethality and combined interoperability with partners. Exercises focus on readiness of force and optimize international engagements to build partner capacity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S Air Force Senior Airman Ryan Takacs, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, stands by before marshalling an F-15C Eagle during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Pacific Air Forces is validating new ways to deploy and maneuver assets in order to operate in contested environments through exercises, engagements and operations like WestPac Rumrunner. The 18th Wing-led exercise represents an evolution in the capabilities of 18th Wing assets to work with joint partners to defend American allies and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S Air Force Senior Airman Ryan Takacs, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, removes a flag from an F-15C Eagle during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The National Defense Strategy directs the armed forces to be more lethal, enhance relationships with allies and partners, and encourage institutional reform. The 18th Wing is employing this directive by developing and continuing new training exercises like WestPac Rumrunner. This exercise represents an evolution in training to adapt to the environment of great power competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

U.S Air Force Senior Airman Juston Forde, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, prepares an F-15C Eagle for flight during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner Oct. 16, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Exercises that utilize agile combat employment concepts ensure forward-deployed forces in the Indo-Pacific are ready to protect and defend partners, allies and U.S. interests at a moment’s notice. ACE-related activities exemplify the National Defense Strategy by being strategically predictable, but operationally unpredictable. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

An F-15C Eagle practices landing procedures on the flightline during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020. “Rumrunner 3.0 was an awesome, high-end training opportunity for the F-15 pilots of the 44th and 67th Fighter Squadrons at Kadena,” said Lt. Col. Van Beusekom, 67th FS commander. “We launched 45 U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps aircraft of 11 types from five locations, meeting in the airspace east of Okinawa for a major air war fought from helicopters at a few hundred feet above sea level to fighters at 50,000 feet.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristan Campbell)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner III

An Airman from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron prepares to refuel an F-15C Eagle during Exercise WestPac Rumrunner at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020. The forward air refueling point mission supports contingency and exercise operations to refuel aircraft and equipment in austere locations where typical air-to-air refueling or established refueling stations are not available. “We’re testing our capabilities with the F-15 and the mechanic’s ability to deploy to a forward operating location,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeff Farris, 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit production superintendent. “We’re doing FARP operations here, which is refueling off the back of a C-130 as well as loading missiles onto the center-body of the two F-15s.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Raughton)

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Exercise WestPac Rumrunner

Published Oct. 22, 2020
By 18th Wing Public Affairs
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --