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  • Command Team takes final flight

    U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, 18th Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Brandon Wolfgang, 18th Wing command chief, flew their final sortie with the 33rd and 31st Rescue Squadrons on July 9, 2025, marking the end of their leadership at Kadena. To commemorate his time at Kadena and honor

  • Fueling the Mission: DLA Energy Okinawa keeps forces moving

    At U.S. military bases across Okinawa, every successful mission depends on one critical resource: fuel. Ensuring that steady supply is the job of the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Okinawa team, who manage the entire fuel supply chain—from delivery to distribution—for all local and visiting U.S.

  • Cope Angel 2025: U.S and Japan sharpen search and rescue skills

    U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 33rd and 31st Rescue Squadrons partnered with Japan Air Self-Defense Force members from the Naha Air Rescue Squadron for exercise Cope Angel 25-1, June 23-27, 2025 at Kadena and Naha Air Bases. Cope Angel is the 33rd RQS’s primary, annual bilateral personnel

  • Defense Minister of Japan visits Kadena

    Honorable Gen. Nakatani, Director General of the Japan Defense Agency, visited the 18th Wing on June 23, 2025, to learn more about the support Okinawa-based forces provide to the broader Pacific theater.

  • 18th MXG holds weapons load competition

    The 18th Maintenance Group hosted the quarterly weapons load competition at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025, bringing together weapons load crews from across the group to test their speed, precision and teamwork.

  • Defense Logistics Agency Energy Okinawa hosts Change of Command

    U.S. Air Force Maj. Kevin Knutson, Defense Logistics Agency Energy Okinawa outgoing commander, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Dominic Baker, DLA Energy Okinawa incoming commander, participated in a change of command ceremony. This ceremony formally transfers authority and responsibility from one leader to

  • Airmen, Guardsmen and Marines train in HAZMAT response

    The 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, U.S. Air National Guardsmen and U.S. Marines conducted joint hazardous waste and emergency response training at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 18, 2025, to practice mitigation techniques for hazardous material emergencies.

  • 18th MUNS armament modernization

    18th Munitions Squadron members at Kadena Air Base, Japan, are the first Airmen in the Department of the Air Force to receive extensive training on the BRU-61 carriage system, responsible for dropping small diameter bombs.

  • First annual PACAF strategic development event

    Development advisors and educators from across Pacific Air Forces gathered at Erwin Professional Military Education center at Kadena Air Base for the first annual PACAF Strategic Development event, June 16–18, 2025.

  • 353 SOW conducts Change of Command Ceremony

    The change of command ceremony formally transferred command of the 353rd Special Operations Wing from Col. Shawn Young to Col. Stewart Parker. The 353rd SOW plans and executes general war and contingency operations using advanced aircraft, tactics, and techniques to infiltrate, exfiltrate, resupply

  • 18 CPTS welcomes Lt. Col. Dismuke

    U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Samuel M. Han, 18th Comptroller Squadron outgoing commander, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Allen F. Dismuke Jr., 18th CPTS incoming commander participated in a change of command ceremony. This ceremony formally transfers authority and responsibility from one leader to another.

  • Operation ‘Red Light, Green Light’

    The Office of Special Trial Counsel District 6, in collaboration with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and Internet Crimes Against Children operations, launched a new cyber safety education initiative at Hope International Academy in Okinawa, Japan, June 16, 2025.

  • Kadena Honor Guard wraps up 'The Final Salute' course

    The Honor Guard recently completed its first “The Final Salute” course—four weeks of training focused on the legacy, impact, and professionalism behind military honors. Future iterations will aim to involve members from the U.S. Space Force, Army, Marine, Navy, and other Airmen, providing a diverse