Kadena begins longest and biggest ATR Published Feb. 7, 2012 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Approximately 500 Kadena members and 18 F-15s, two E-3s and two KC-135s from Kadena arrived at Anderson Air Base, Guam for a three week Aviation Training Relocation. This ATR will give Kadena members an opportunity to practice deployed operations and perform bi-lateral training with the Japan Air Self Defense Force. This ATR has three firsts that make it a historic event. This is the first time this many Kadena military members and aircraft have supported an ATR. It is the first Kadena ATR scheduled for three weeks, and it is the first ATR Kadena has participated in at Guam. "This outstanding training opportunity will allow us to practice operations as a deployed unit, train with our Japanese counterparts and enhance our combined capability to provide for the defense of Japan," said Col. David Nahom, 18th Operations Group commander, the commander for this ATR. Kadena members participating in the exercise primarily come from units under the 18th Operations Group and the 18th Maintenance Group. The training will also reduce the noise impact of Kadena flying operations on the local community as there will be fewer Kadena F-15s here and the wing is not scheduled to receive visiting aircraft for training.