Venomous threats meet prepared forces

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Emerald Domaoal, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron pest management personnel, demonstrates proper snake handling techniques during a specialized snake handling course at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 28, 2026. The course allowed service members more hands-on experience with local snakes, improving response capability and reducing risk of injury in the field. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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Venomous threats meet prepared forces

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Tiahna Salahuddin, Medicine Readiness and Training Command preventative medicine technician, handles a Taiwanese beauty snake during a specialized snake handling course at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 28, 2026. The species, introduced to Okinawa in the 1970s, is now commonly found in central parts of the island. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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Venomous threats meet prepared forces

An Akamata snake is handled during a specialized snake training course at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 28, 2026. The nonvenomous snake is native to Okinawa and is known to prey on venomous species such as the habu. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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Venomous threats meet prepared forces

U.S. service members listen to instruction during a specialized snake handling course at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 28, 2026. The 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Pest Management team partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Medical Battalion to integrate snake handling into a joint service preventative medicine exercise. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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Venomous threats meet prepared forces

A Taiwan habu is displayed during a specialized snake handling course at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 28, 2026. The venomous species poses a significant environmental hazard in parts of Okinawa. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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Venomous threats meet prepared forces

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Trenton Brown, 18th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron public health technician, handles an Akamata snake during a specialized snake handling course at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 28, 2026. The training enhances hazard awareness and operational readiness in environments with native wildlife threats. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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Venomous threats meet prepared forces

U.S. service members review informational materials during a specialized snake handling course, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 28, 2026. Okinawa is home to 22 species of snakes, eight of which are venomous, increasing the importance of hazard awareness training. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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Venomous threats meet prepared forces

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Emerald Domaoal, center, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron pest management personnel, distributes informational pamphlets to service members during a specialized snake handling course at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 28, 2026. The 18th CES Pest Management team partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Medical Battalion to integrate snake handling into a joint service preventative medicine exercise. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley)

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Venomous threats meet prepared forces

Published May 17, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

U.S. service members participate in a specialized snake handling course at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 28, 2026. The 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Pest Management team partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Medical Battalion to integrate snake handling into a joint service preventative medicine exercise. The course allowed service members more hands-on experience with local snakes, improving response capability and reducing risk of injury in the field.