Team Kadena tests its mettle, combat proficiency

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Team Kadena conducted local operation readiness exercise Beverly High 12-4 this week. During the LORE, units base-wide tested their ability to respond and react to real-life scenarios.

Maj. Rich Jones, 18th Wing chief of exercises, said the goal of the exercise and its scenarios are to show the world Kadena is well-trained, ready and prepared to complete its mission.

"The purpose of this LORE is to give ourselves the hardest test of moving our forces from Kadena to another base. To be prepared to fight from there. Then, having to come back and defend Kadena," Jones said.

For new Airmen experiencing this exercise for the first time, this training could be different from what they have learned.

"Even though this is my first LORE, I have learned through various exercises a great deal about my job and to move with a sense of urgency," said Airman 1st Class Ronshad Bell, of the 18th Security Forces Squadron.

For example, an emergency management exercise, or mass emergency, was conducted May 16 to see how different units come together to communicate and work as a team to save lives.

A few other things seen during the exercise were self-aid and buddy care scenarios, active shooter scenarios and a gate riot. All these events gave the units an opportunity to experience how they would react to real situations.

The major said compared to previous exercises, there were many improvements. Cargo processing has been a challenge in past exercises, but this time around it went much smoother.

"That (was) the best I have ever seen since I have been at Kadena. Whether I have been the chief of exercises or just another guy out there in MOPP, (mission-oriented protective posture gear)," Jones explained.

He added that aircraft generation for F-15 Eagle fighter jets was also completed early during the initial stage of the exercise.

"This LORE is looking good," Jones said Wednesday. "(We're proceeding) to make sure we are exactly what we say we are - a combat-ready unit."