The 18th Operations group manages the flight activities of Kadena Air Base, bringing America’s airpower to the farthest reaches of the globe with operations that include search and rescue, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and airborne air control.
909th Refueling Squadron
TOPLINE: The 909th ARS executes rapid deployment of KC-135s to support a multitude of Pacific Air Forces missions, displaying Kadena’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
909th ARS works with the 18th Aeromedical Squadron to provide flight training as often as possible to ensure constant readiness and provide air refueling to joint and Allied aircraft throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron
TOPLINE: The 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is a deployed fighter squadron, built around F‑35A Lightning IIs and personnel from Hill AFB, Utah. When activated, 4th EFS projects combat airpower to overseas forward locations, conducting air-to-air and air-to-ground operations from austere or expeditionary bases.
On Sept. 27, 2017, the 4th Fighter Squadron and its Aircraft Maintenance Unit welcomed their first F-35A, flown in by their squadron commander, signaling the beginning of a new era.
119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron
TOPLINE: The 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is part of the New Jersey Air National Guard, assigned to the 177th Fighter Wing at Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The 119th FS is one of the oldest squadrons in the U.S. Air Force, tracing its lineage back to 1917 as the 5th Aviation School Squadron.
356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron
TOPLINE: The 356th EFS is the deployed combat element of the 356th Fighter Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, operating F‑35A Lightning II aircraft in forward locations. When deployed, the EFS is designed to provide rapid airpower projection, integrating aircraft generation, maintenance, and mission execution under Agile Combat Employment (ACE) principles.
The squadron participates in Agile Combat Employment (ACE) exercises, designed to test forward-deployed operations and rapid generation of aircraft in austere environments.
18th Operations Support Squadron
TOPLINE: The 18th OSS supports air superiority, radar surveillance, airborne refueling, airlift and air rescue forces for the Indo-Pacific Command operation plans and headquarters-directed contingency operations.
The squadron provides air traffic control, airfield management, planning, scheduling, weapons and tactics, intelligence, weather aircrew flight equipment and records management capabilities.
31st Rescue Squadron
TOPLINE: The 31st RQS trains, equips and employs combat-ready pararescue specialists who are experts in medical care and small-unit tactics.
The 31st RQS operate out of booth fixed and rotary-wing insertion and extraction assets providing combat and humanitarian search, rescue and medical assistance in all environments.
33rd Rescue Squadron
TOPLINE: The 33rd RQS maintains readiness for mobilization, deployment and employment of helicopters with the ability to rescue U.S. and allied military members, and civilians whenever necessary.
Their motto ‘that others may live’
67th Fighter Squadron
TOPLINE: The 67th Fighter Squadron, also known as the Fighting Cocks, is part of the 18th Operations Group at Kadena Air Base. The squadron has a long and storied legacy; activated in January 1941, the 67th has undertaken missions ranging from air superiority, close air support, to suppression of enemy air defenses.
In March 2015, the 67th FS broke a Kadena AB record by flying 278 sorties in four days, surpassing their goal of 267.
961st Airborne Air Control Squadron
TOPLINE: The 961st AACS is a combat-ready E-3 squadron that is equipped with the airborne warning and control system (AWACS) and provides airborne command and control. Low-range surveillance, detection and identification information.
They respond to quick-alert mobilization, worldwide deployments and combat employment.
623rd Air Control Squadron
TOPLINE: Utilizing Japan Self-Defense Force indigenous equipment, this combat-ready Ground Control Intercept unit provides command and control, surveillance, detection, and identification in direct support of U.S. interests in the region.
The Fightin' Yagis manage the only U.S. and bilateral data link station in the Southwest Japan region and provide rapid response Air Defense Liaison Teams to integrate host-nation command elements in support of U.S. and bilateral interests throughout the Indo-Pacific theater.
18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
TOPLINE: The 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, operating under the 18th Medical Group. Its mission is to provide medical evacuation services during wartime, contingencies, and natural disaster response operations across the Pacific region.
In a past deployment, AES personnel from Kadena flew medevac missions out of McMurdo Station, Antarctica, evacuating patients in sub-zero temperatures via LC-130 aircraft.
319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron:
TOPLINE: The 319th ERS is tasked with innovating how reconnaissance is done in the Indo-Pacific.
They primarily operate the MQ-9 Reaper and other unmanned drones
Most of their missions require remote operation from pilots in different countries