USSOCOM vice commander tours Kadena

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, left, 18th Wing commander, speaks with U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Steven Marks, vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and director of the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group, during an HH-60W Jolly Green Il flight over Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 23, 2026. The visit included a helicopter tour of the installation and a visit to the 18th Munitions Squadron to observe the wing's mission and capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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USSOCOM vice commander tours Kadena

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander, center left, greets U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Steven Marks, left, vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and director of the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group at the 82d Reconnaissance Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 23, 2026. Marks visited Kadena to engage with 18th Wing leadership, discuss DAWG initiatives and observe the installation's operational capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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USSOCOM vice commander tours Kadena

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, middle right, 18th Wing commander, speaks with U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Steven Marks, vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and director of the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group at the 82d Reconnaissance Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 23, 2026. The visit included a helicopter tour of the installation and a visit to the 18th Munitions Squadron to observe the wing's mission and capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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USSOCOM vice commander tours Kadena

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, left, 18th Wing commander, flies with U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Steven Marks, vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and director of the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group, during an HH-60W Jolly Green Il flight over Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 23, 2026. The engagement highlighted Kadena’s operational capabilities and reinforced the installation’s role in sustaining combat power and readiness across the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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USSOCOM vice commander tours Kadena

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, left, 18th Wing commander, speaks with U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Steven Marks, vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and director of the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group, during an HH-60W Jolly Green Il flight over Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 23, 2026. Marks visited Kadena to engage with wing leadership, discuss DAWG initiatives and observe the installation's operational capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melany Bermudez)

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USSOCOM vice commander tours Kadena

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander, leads U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Steven Marks, vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and director of the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group and other Airmen into the 82d Reconnaissance Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 23, 2026. During the visit, Marks conducted site surveys of potential asset storage locations and met with Airmen supporting the 18th Wing’s mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson)

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USSOCOM vice commander tours Kadena

Published Aug. 10, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Jackson
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Steven Marks, vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and director of the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group, visits Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 23, 2026. Marks visited Kadena to engage with 18th Wing leadership, discuss DAWG initiatives and observe the installation's operational capabilities.