BH 26-1: Practice under pressure: 18th Wing exercises readiness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Johnson
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Members of the 18th Security Forces Squadron and 18th Civil Engineer Squadron responded to a simulated active shooter event during a routine readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 4, 2025.
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​​​​The scenario, as part of BH 26-1, tested Kadena’s ability to respond to threats, provide emergency care, and sustain operations under pressure. Security Forces teams were tasked with neutralizing a simulated armed assailant while firefighters from the 18th CES treated multiple mock casualties — all under the scrutiny of exercise evaluators. ​​​

“We tested our ability to perform tactical combat casualty care in high intensity, close combat situations, as well as how the base ​​populace​​ would respond to lockdown procedures,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Candace Miller, 18th SFS standardizations and evaluations evaluator. “Training for situations like this is important because it’s a realistic threat we could face in the event of an attack.

​​Ground attacks ​rem​ain ​​one of the primary threats Kadena could ​​encounter​​, making ​ ​exercises​ like this​ essential to the installation’s overall readiness. The simulated incident began with reports of an armed assailant inside the 18th Communications Squadron building. Security Forces teams swiftly responded, clearing the area and ensuring the safety of personnel, while firefighters from the 18th CES provided emergency medical care to injured.​​​​​​​

​​​​The exercise also strengthened crisis-response coordination between first responders and reinforced the base community’s familiarity with emergency procedures such as lockdowns and ​​accountability reporting.​​​

“The more the 18th CES and SFS work together coordinating responses and practicing these scenarios, the better we can mitigate emergencies and keep people safe,” said Senior Airman Triston Ingwerson, 18th CES fire protection journeyman.

Through BH 26-1, the 18th Wing continues to refine its ability to defend, recover and operate under realistic conditions. Each scenario aims to builds confidence and reinforces teamwork: ensuring Team Kadena remains ready to respond decisively to any threat, anytime and anywhere.