KADENA AIR BASE, Japan. -- Assets and personnel from the 51st Fighter Wing, 18th Wing, and elements of the Republic of Korea Air Force, integrated for a combined Combat Search and Rescue Training Event from April 7 - April 18, 2025, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
CSARTE aims to create realistic joint and combined Combat Search and Rescue training. This year's CSAR scenarios included pre-planned, immediate survivor pickup locations that required detailed integration of assets and planning to execute a safe recovery of a simulated downed aircraft.
This year’s event also incorporated U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, personnel and assets alongside U.S. and ROK air forces. The unique capabilities of F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 25th FS, KC-135 Stratotankers from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, and HH-60W Jolly Green IIs assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron were used to simulate a variety of CSAR scenarios. This diverse range of assets contributed to a more comprehensive and effective CSAR capability.
“The importance [of CSARTE] is strengthening our shared mission … to show that we have friends in the area, that we’re willing to back them up, and that includes training with them,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Tyler Weissinger, 909th ARS KC-135 Stratotanker instructor pilot. “Our mission today is to go up and help our fighters and demonstrate that we have the ability to provide airpower anywhere in the world.”
Long-range assets were used during the event, such as the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, showcasing their reach across the Indo-Pacific region.
CSARTE demonstrates the commitment to leveraging the full spectrum of available resources for personnel recovery. The event involved close coordination with ROKAF forces at all levels, from planning to execution.
“It’s cool seeing how other air forces fly their jets,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christian Lawhorn, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator. “Being able to integrate with other countries strengthens our bond and communication, even though there might be a language barrier. Not every country has tankers to train with, so it’s a different environment for them as well.”
Fellow 909th ARS boom operator Staff Sgt. Aristides Soto agreed, saying the most rewarding part of the CSARTE experience for him was being in the middle of the action, being able to provide fuel for aircraft, no matter where they are.
CSARTE enhances interoperability during CSAR and Personnel Recovery operations, ensuring a seamless and coordinated response to any crisis with our ROK allies.
The event promotes the development of innovative tactics and procedures to overcome emerging challenges.
CSARTE builds a robust regional CSAR network, leveraging assets and expertise from across the Indo-Pacific to ensure comprehensive personnel recovery capabilities.
The accumulation of these assets allowed the 31st and 33rd RQS to carry out their primary mission of combat search and rescue operations.
During the event, HH-60W Jolly Green II pilots and aircrew from the 33rd RQS along with pararescuemen from the 31st RQS simulated rescue operations, showcasing both squadron’s rapid rescue capabilities. The training scenarios were designed to practice evacuating personnel in the event of a crash, ensuring survivors can be retrieved from the water.
Maintaining readiness is essential to generating credible deterrence in an increasingly complex and highly demanding security environment. The 31st and 33rd RQS continue to train effective and efficient maritime CSAR in the Pacific to fulfill their ultimate calling summarized in the Air Force rescue motto: "that others may live."