Kadena takes its show on the road during ATR

  • Published
  • By Beth Gosselin
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
IBERAKI PREFECTURE, Japan --  Approximately 75 Airmen from the 18th Wing deployed to Hyakuri Japan Air Self-Defense Base in Iberaki Prefecture, Japan Oct. 2 to train with their Japanese counterparts during a week-long exercise. 

The Airmen are here to take part in bilateral training as part of the Aviation Training Relocation program. 

While at Hyakuri, pilots and maintainers from the 18th Wing will train with the JASDF Airmen from the 302nd and 305th squadrons. 

"We're really looking forward to the opportunity to train with the JASDF, especially because we'll get to train with both the F-4 and F-15," said Capt. Matthew Misner, a pilot with the 67th Fighter Squadron and project officer for the exercise. 

As part of a continuing effort to be good neighbors at their home station, 18th Wing officials took steps to address community concerns during this exercise. 

"We have taken steps to reduce the presence of visiting aircraft during this ATR," said Col. Ronald Banks, 18th Operations Group commander. "We restricted aircraft from training here or deploying to Kadena during this particular bilateral training exercise."