KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – Firefighters assigned to the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron conducted Tactical Combat Casualty Care training during a routine readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 7, 2025.
Practical application of TCCC training enables Airmen to sharpen the necessary skills needed to remain ready to respond to emerging situations at a moment’s notice. Training is critical to deterring aggression and being ready to fight and win to protect the vital interests of the U.S. and Japan.
“TCCC allows everyone the ability to provide rapid assessment and lifesaving care from anywhere,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lorin Best, 18th CES lead firefighter. “A faster paced training like this one allows us to keep our skills sharp and up to date.”
This readiness training is a portion of a bigger plan that is designed to evaluate the base’s ability to fulfill its mission. Incorporating agile combat employment concepts in operations ensure that forward-deployed forces in the Indo-Pacific are always ready.
“We are focusing on our response to casualties, under fire and in tactical settings, focusing on circulation, airway and breathing." said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicolas Garcia, 18th CES firefighter.
TCCC training is used to test Airmen’s knowledge in a high-stress environment. Readiness is essential to generating credible deterrence in an increasingly complex and highly demanding security environment.
Learning from planned and executed operations, the 18th Wing will continue to flex its enhanced operational abilities to respond to real world scenarios as the Keystone of the Pacific.