Restoring the flow: 18th CES leads recovery operations after Typhoon Dolphin

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mark Baldon, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Water and Fuel System Maintenance section chief, assesses an area for leaks before conducting repairs at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 8, 2026. The 18th CES maintains Kadena’s critical infrastructure and provides emergency response and recovery capabilities following natural disasters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Arnet Tamayo)

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Restoring the flow: 18th CES leads recovery operations after Typhoon Dolphin

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Justin Vidal, left, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Water and Fuel System Maintenance journeyman, and Tech Sgt. Jonathan Howard, WFSM non-commissioned officer in charge, measure a manhole at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 8, 2026. Precise measurements were gathered to ensure existing construction pipes were clear while repairing the ruptured water line. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Arnet Tamayo)

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Restoring the flow: 18th CES leads recovery operations after Typhoon Dolphin

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron prepare a site for water line recovery at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 8, 2026. As recovery operations began, the Water and Fuels System Maintenance Flight installed sump pumps to remove water and locate the ruptured pipe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Arnet Tamayo)

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Restoring the flow: 18th CES leads recovery operations after Typhoon Dolphin

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Howard, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Water and Fuel System Maintenance non-commissioned officer in charge, conducts dewatering operations at Kadena Air Base, Aug. 8, 2026. Dewatering is a process that uses sump pumps to remove water from the excavation area and locate the ruptured water line. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Arnet Tamayo)

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Restoring the flow: 18th CES leads recovery operations after Typhoon Dolphin

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Remington Bonnett, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron pavements and equipment apprentice, operates an excavator during water line recovery following Typhoon Dolphin at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 8, 2026. The 18th CES maintains Kadena’s critical infrastructure and provides emergency response and recovery capabilities following natural disasters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Arnet Tamayo)

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Restoring the flow: 18th CES leads recovery operations after Typhoon Dolphin

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron prepare a site for water line recovery at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 8, 2026. As recovery operations began, the Water and Fuel System Maintenance Flight responded to repair a ruptured water line that occurred during a typhoon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Arnet Tamayo)

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Restoring the flow: 18th CES leads recovery operations after Typhoon Dolphin

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jonathan Romero, left, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Water and Fuel System Maintenance crew lead, and Staff Sgt. Jabari Riley, 18th CES WFSM operations section lead, installed a water line clamp on a ruptured pipe to restore water service at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 8, 2026. The 18th CES keeps Kadena’s mission moving by maintaining critical infrastructure and restoring essential services during recovery operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Arnet Tamayo)

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Restoring the flow: 18th CES leads recovery operations after Typhoon Dolphin

Water flows from a ruptured water pipe during typhoon recovery operations at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 8, 2026. As recovery operations began, the Water and Fuels Systems Maintenance Flight installed sump pumps to remove water and locate the ruptured pipe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Arnet Tamayo)

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Restoring the flow: 18th CES leads recovery operations after Typhoon Dolphin

Published Aug. 13, 2026
By Senior Airman Arnet Tamayo
18 Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE --