KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron and 18th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron came to aid personnel from the 18th Comptroller Squadron for a mass casualty training event in support of base-wide operational readiness exercise BH 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 6, 2025.
The scenario simulated an air strike on a base facility, resulting in severe structural damage and multiple simulated injuries and casualties. Firefighters, medical teams, and supporting units worked side-by-side to secure the area, provide emergency treatment, and coordinate evacuation and recovery efforts.
“This exercise simulates a mass casualty with facility damage, debris, injuries, and chaos everywhere,” said Tech. Sgt. Yang, 18th Comptroller Squadron quality assurance non-commissioned officer in charge. “This exercise puts our Airmen under real pressure and reminds them how fast things can happen on Kadena.”
Once fire crews cleared the area of hazards, the 18th OMRS response team performed tactical combat casualty care, treating simulated blast and burn victims before coordinating medical transport.
“Whether it’s a home-station emergency or a deployed environment, these are the same skills we rely on to save lives,” said Capt. Alria Delacruz, 18th OMRS flight commander. “You can’t wait until it’s real to figure it out.”
The MASCAL exercise was one of several interconnected events within BH 26-1, Kadena’s large-scale operational readiness exercise designed to evaluate and strengthen the base’s ability to respond to real-world crises.
By integrating emergency response, medical, and support units under one scenario; the exercise emphasized teamwork, communication, and adaptability which are the key components of mission readiness across the Indo-Pacific