5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Col. John Schutte, left, 5th Air Force deputy commander, greets Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, 18th Wing commander, after arriving at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. The 18th Wing’s mission is to deliver unmatched combat airpower and be a forward-staging base that promotes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Col. John Schutte, left, 5th Air Force deputy commander, greets Chief Master Sgt. Brandon Wolfgang, 18th Wing command chief, after arriving at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. The 18th Wing’s mission is to deliver unmatched combat airpower and be a forward-staging base that promotes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron is parked on a helipad for an aerial tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. The HH-60W is designed for mission-critical operations to include personnel recovery, humanitarian missions, civil search and rescue, disaster relief, medical evacuation, and non-combatant evacuations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Col. John Schutte, 5th Air Force deputy commander, dons gear for an aerial tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. Schutte was given a tour of Kadena to better understand the 18th Wing’s mission, combat capabilities, and its role in keeping a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Col. John Schutte, 5th Air Force deputy commander, puts on a helicopter flight helmet before an aerial tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. During his visit, Schutte learned about the 18th Wing’s mission, its combat capabilities and its role in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force leadership of the 18th Wing and 5th Air Force walk toward HH-60W Jolly Green II assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron for a tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. The 5th Air Force leadership was given a tour showcasing the 18th Wing’s mission, combat capabilities, and role in keeping a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

Fifth Air Force and 18th Wing leadership step towards an HH-60W Jolly Green II for an aerial tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. During their visit, 5th AF leadership learned about the 18th Wing’s mission, its combat capabilities and its role in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron prepares to land on the flightline after an aerial tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. The HH-60W is designed for mission-critical operations to include personnel recovery, humanitarian missions, civil search and rescue, disaster relief, medical evacuation, and non-combatant evacuations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II assigned to the 33rd rescue squadron taxis on the flightline after giving 5th Air Force leadership an aerial tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. The HH-60W is configured for a variety of mission-critical operations conducted at Kadena, such as combat search and rescue operations, personnel recovery, and non-combatant evacuations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

Fifth Air Force and 18th Wing leadership step toward a 33rd Rescue Squadron hangar after landing from a HH-60W Jolly Green II aerial tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. The 33rd RQS provides a ready combat search and rescue platform to aid in exercises and real-world operations in the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Louis Nolting, left, 33rd Rescue Squadron commander, greets Col. John Schutte, 5th Air Force deputy commander during his tour of Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. During his visit, Schutte learned about the 18th Wing’s mission, its combat capabilities and their role in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, right, 18th Wing commander, briefs 5th Air Force and Kadena leadership during a tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. The tour discussed the 18th Wing mission set, combat capabilities, and operations conducted to keep a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, right, 18th Wing commander, speaks with Col. John Schutte, center, 5th Air Force deputy commander, and Lt. Col. Louis Nolting, 33rd Rescue Squadron commander, during a tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024. The tour discussed the 18th Wing mission set, combat capabilities, and operations conducted to keep a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

Published Oct. 9, 2024
By Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon, Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan. -- U.S. Air Force Col. John Schutte visited Kadena Air Base for an on-the-ground and aerial tour of the base to better learn of Kadena’s combat capabilities, operational readiness and its mission in keeping a free and open Indo-Pacific.