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  • Practice makes perfect: 909th ARS refuels F-16Cs and F-35As

    U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers assigned the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, F-16C Fighting Falcons assigned to the 120th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, and F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conduct aerial refueling operations over the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 29,

  • Under Secretary of the Air Force visits Kadena to conclude Indo-Pacific tour

    Under Secretary of the Air Force Matt Lohmeier visited Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 4, 2026, concluding his tour of Pacific Air Forces installations across the Indo-Pacific region. The visit capped a weeklong engagement that included stops at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Osan Air Base, and Yokota

  • Live Fire Immersion strengthens U.S. Air Force, JASDF readiness

    U.S. Air Force Firefighters from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron trained alongside members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Airmen assigned to the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 28–29, 2026. The two-day event sharpened combined aircraft rescue and

  • 718th FSS fuels the fight as Hennessy award finalist

    In the Indo-Pacific, where the mission never stops, readiness begins with something simple: a meal.At Kadena Air Base, The 718th Force Support Squadron’s food service professionals at the Marshall Dining Facility from Kadena Air Base have been named finalists for the John L. Hennessy Award, one of

  • From stockpile to safe: Kadena EOD executes controlled demolition

    U.S Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technicians with the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron conducted a scheduled controlled detonation to safely dispose of unusable and recovered munitions at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025, reinforcing readiness while reducing hazardous stockpiles on base.

  • Building rescue partnerships: Japan coast guard visits Kadena

    Members of the Japan Coast Guard’s Naha Branch toured Kadena Air Base as part of a rescue-capabilities immersion. The visit provided JCG personnel an overview of Kadena's rescue assets and procedures, supporting mutual understanding and cooperation in emergency response operations. Through briefings

  • American Red Cross tours Kadena

    American Red Cross members engaged with 18th Wing leadership, Emergency Managers, and other mission support personnel to discuss Non-combatant Evacuation Operations, disaster preparedness, shelter operations, and coordination during natural and man-made emergencies. The visit aims to strengthen

  • KLI hosts spooky halloween exchange

    18th Wing volunteers and Kadena Language Institute students pose for a group photo after a Halloween-themed KLI event at Kadena Town, Japan, Oct. 31, 2025. The event was designed to help the local students improve their English skills in various situations, deepen friendships and foster mutual

  • BH 26-1: Readiness on the runway, Airmen hone rapid repair skills

    U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron enhanced their ability to restore flight operations through rapid airfield damage repair training during base-wide operational readiness exercise BH 26-1 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 6, 2025.

  • German officials gain firsthand look at Kadena’s Indo-Pacific mission

    U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander, welcomed Petra Sigmund, Director General for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific at the Federal Foreign Office, for a hands-on look at Kadena’s mission. From the flight line to the briefings, the visit strengthened cooperation with