A 33rd Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk hovers on the flight line during training sortie April 11, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th Wing and partner units on Kadena AB are an air operations epicenter of More
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron discuss the afternoon workload Feb. 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th EMS provides maintenance services for Kadena-assigned F-15C E More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tyler Preston, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, pavement and equipment operator speaks with members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force prior to heavy vehicle training Feb. 28, 2018, a More
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Case Cunningham, 18th Wing commander, right, speaks with Osamu Onoda, Japan-American Air Force Goodwill Association tour leader, during a visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 13, 201 More
Bicycles belonging to U.S. Air Force Capt. John ShalekBriski, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, sit in various states of repair March 17, 2018, in Okinawa, Japan. Each training ride can last several hours and More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Randy Maldonado, 18th Medical Group biomedical equipment technician, assembles a portable ventilator March 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. A centrifuge is used to separate the More
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Arian Nead, 18th Wing Public Affairs NCOIC of command information, dons protective gear during a mission-oriented protective posture gear training session March 29, 2018, at Kadena Ai More
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Ditore, 18th Wing command chief, sits at his desk April 3, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Ditore began his career in 1991 as an F-15 Eagle crew chief. (U.S. Air Force More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lionel Rhone, 18th Security Forces Squadron assistant instructor, supervises a combatives training session April 4, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Practicing strikes, evasion and gro More
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ricardo Namoca, 18th Security Forces Squadron trainer, and Staff Sgt. Anthony Wright, 18th SFS senior instructor, demonstrate combatives techniques during a training session April 4, More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Groeper, 18th Civil Engineer Group pavements and construction journeyman, operates a grader during a parking lot expansion project April 16, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan More
A local Okinawan attempt to remove a cement block from the entrance of their family tomb April 22, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Every year, families make their way on base to clean their family tombs and pa More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Draqu McElhaney, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, checks a box for equipment May 2, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th CMS provides materi More
U.S. Air Force Capt. Ciara Ryan, 18th Wing Judge Advocate chief of legal assistance, speaks with students from Amelia Earhart Intermediate School during “Law Day” May 4, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Each gr More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Renee Delgado, 18th Medical Group lab technician, prepares a slide for examination May 14, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The lab is meant to provide doctors with more accurate diagn More
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Medical Group orient themselves on a map during the Preventative Aerospace Medicine Convention May 18, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The PAMACON includes exercises More
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Haack, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron commander, speaks to Airmen about the importance of safety May 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Safety is one of the highest prioriti More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Amaris Washington, 18th Dental Squadron dental assistant, inspects the mouth of a training dummy Aug. 1, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Training dummies are often used to pract More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cameron Tugh, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron metals technology journeyman, processes metal to create a bushing Aug. 20, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Parts created in-house More
Foreign air force officers speak with U.S. Air Force Airmen during the 2018 C-130 Logistics and Safety Symposium Aug. 29, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. During the symposium, air force officers from Malaysia, More
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dandre Bufford, 18th Medical Group training manager, covers personal information on prescription bottles Sept. 10, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th MDG hosts annual turn-in da More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Serah Lewis, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron central storage journeyman, leads training for members of the 919th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron from Duke Field, F More
Firefighters from installations across Okinawa participate in rappelling training Sept. 14, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Firefighters from Kadena AB, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Naval Base White Beach More
Members of the 18th Security Forces Squadron speak with officers from the Okinawa Police Department as part of the 2018 bi-lateral open house hosted by the 18th SFS Sept. 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Ma More
A Royal Australian Air Force member performs pre-flight activities for a RAAF AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft Oct. 3, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Allied nations frequently visit Kadena AB for a variet More
U.S. Air Force Capt. Austin Hurley, 44th Fighter Squadron pilot, performs post-flight checks on an F-15C Eagle Nov. 1, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 44th Fighter Squadron provides key agile combat employ More
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Catherine Gaco-Escalera, 18th Medical Support Squadron superintendent, is congratulated by her peers after being selected for promotion to chief master sergeant Dec. 6, 2018, a More
U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 18th Wing Base Honor Guard discuss the days training plan Dec. 12, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Honor Guard members meet and practice for hours on end to ensure all details go More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tristan Cala, left, and Staff Sgt. Marcus Brun, right, both 67th Fighter Squadron load crew members, move munitions during a weapons load competition Dec. 21, 2018, at Kadena Air More
A U.S. Air Force 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit Airman marshals a 33rd Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawk onto the flightline during a training sortie April 11, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th Wing and t More
U.S. Air Force Airman Daniel Arellano, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance technician, adjusts sheet metal using a magnetic bending machine Feb. 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Jap More
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron train members of the Japan Air Self Defense Force on their method of marking damaged areas on a flightline Feb. 28, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. M More
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Case Cunningham, 18th Wing commander, left, speaks to members of the Japan-American Air Force Goodwill Association during a visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2018. The JAAGA s More
U.S. Air Force Capt. John ShalekBrisk, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, buckles his helmet before a ride March 17, 2018, in Okinawa, Japan. ShalekBriski often rides at speeds exceeding 25 miles per hour for More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Randy Maldonado, 18th Medical Group biomedical equipment technician, assembles a portable ventilator March 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Portable ventilators are often used b More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tomas Figueroa, 18 Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman, instructs a mission-oriented protective posture gear class March 29, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. M-8 More
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Security Forces Squadron participate in combatives training April 4, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Airmen from the 18th SFS practice combative techniques to maintain confi More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sheyden Turner, 18th Civil Engineer Group pavements and construction craftsman, operates a front-end loader during a parking lot expansion project April 16, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, J More
Local Okinawans attempt to remove a cement block from the entrance of their family tomb April 22, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Members of communities across the island of Okinawa visit the tombs of their an More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Draqu McElhaney, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, gathers equipment May 2, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The propulsion shop processes more th More
U.S. Air Force Capt. James Allred, 18th Wing Judge Advocate chief of administrative separations, speaks with students from Amelia Earhart Intermediate School during “Law Day” May 4, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Ja More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Renee Delgado, 18th Medical Group lab technician, examines a slide May 14, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Lab technicians test different types of bacteria in small plates. Once the b More
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Medical Group hike down a trail during the Preventative Aerospace Medicine Convention May 18, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The PAMACON involves briefings oriented More
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron discuss safety procedures May 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Safety is one of the highest priorities for the U.S. Air Force and plays a ke More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jasmine Arce, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron interpersonal protective equipment journeyman, sits in a forklift Aug. 1, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th LRS maintains More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cameron Tugh, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron metals technology journeyman, processes metal to create a bushing Aug. 20, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Many parts created by t More
Foreign air force officers mingle with one another and U.S. Air Force Airmen during the 2018 C-130 Logistics and Safety Symposium Aug. 29, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Air force officers from Malaysia, Japa More
A firefighter from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron participates in rappelling training Sept. 14, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Firefighters use rappelling skills in situations requiring access to areas not More
Military working dog Carson pursues a simulated suspect during the 2018 bi-lateral open house hosted by the 18th Security Forces Squadron Sept. 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Members from the Okinawa Poli More
A Royal Australian Air Force member performs pre-flight activities for a RAAF AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft Oct. 3, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The AP-3C Orion project began in the early 1990s. (U.S More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Maxwell Darling, 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant dedicated crew chief, performs post-flight checks on an F-15C Eagle Nov. 1, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Crew chiefs More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Oniel Bryan, 18th Wing Base Honor Guard member, performs a uniform inspection on fellow Honor Guard members Dec. 12, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Drill and ceremony honors provi More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Marcus Brun, 67th Fighter Squadron load crew member, prepares munitions during a weapons load competition Dec. 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Tests of speed and efficiency among More
A U.S. Air Force 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit Airman signals to the pilot of an HH-60 Pave Hawk outside the 33rd Rescue Squadron maintenance hangar during a training sortie April 11, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Gilbert Martinez, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance technician, cuts a piece of sheet metal Feb. 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The aircra More
A member of the Japan Self-Defense Force marks guidelines on cement during training with members of the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Feb. 28, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th CES worked closely with JA More
Osamu Onoda, Japan-American Air Force Goodwill Association tour leader, left, addresses 18th Wing members during a visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 13, 2018. The 18th Wing hosted JAAGA members on the inst More
U.S. Air Force Capt. John ShalekBriski, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, looks in a room filled with his bicycles March 17, 2018, in Okinawa, Japan. Race training includes riding more than 300 miles a week, More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sha’leah Paul, 18th Medical Group medical material technician, signs off on the contents of a first-aid kit March 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Medical materials go through the More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tomas Figueroa, 18 Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman, instructs a class March 29, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Periodic inspections and trainings help memb More
Local Okinawans attempt to remove a cement block from the entrance of their family tomb April 22, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Families come onto Kadena AB once a year to pay respect to their ancestors by o More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Draqu McElhaney, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, stores equipment May 2, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th CMS is responsible for test, More
Xiomara Carrion, 18th Wing Judge Advocate discharge clerk, left, and U.S. Air Force Capt. Ryan Fisher, 18th Wing Judge Advocate chief of litigation, speak with students from Amelia Earhart Intermediate School d More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mayra Autagne, 18th Medical Group lab technician, prepares to “spin down” blood samples for analysis May 14, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Many different types of tests are run thro More
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Medical Group navigate through dense jungle terrain during the Preventative Aerospace Medicine Convention May 18, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The PAMACON is a fie More
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron discuss safety procedures May 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Safety is one of the highest priorities for the U.S. Air Force and plays a key role More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jasmine Arce, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron interpersonal protective equipment journeyman, checks identifying paperwork Aug. 1, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Maintaining a More
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Joseph Sandahl, 353rd Special Operation Maintenance Squadron aero-repair section chief, speaks with foreign air force members during the 2018 C-130 Logistics and Safety Symposium Aug. More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Courtney Jones, 18th Medical Group medical records technician, covers personal information on prescription bottles Sept. 10, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th MDG hosts a More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Serah Lewis, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron central storage journeyman, leads training for a member of the 919th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron from Duke Field, More
A firefighter from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron participates in rappelling training Sept. 14, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Safety when training is of utmost importance. Each participant was checked, re- More
Military working dog Carson attempts to subdue a simulated suspect under the guidance of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Charles Johnson III, 18th Security Forces Squadron MWD handler, during the 2018 bi-lateral open More
A Royal Australian Air Force member performs pre-flight activities for a RAAF AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft Oct. 3, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. AP-3C Orions have a normal crew complement of 13 indiv More
U.S. Air Force Capt. Austin Hurley, 44th Fighter Squadron pilot, left, and Airman 1st Class Maxwell Darling, 44th Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant dedicated crew chief, right, perform a post-flight inspectio More
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Catherine Gaco-Escalera, 18th Medical Support Squadron superintendent, experiences an emotional moment after being selected for promotion to chief master sergeant Dec. 6, 2018, More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Oniel Bryan, 18th Wing Base Honor Guard member, performs a uniform inspection on fellow Honor Guard members Dec. 12, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The Honor Guard is a purely vol More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Marcus Brun, 67th Fighter Squadron load crew member, prepares munitions during a weapons load competition Dec. 21, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 44th and 67th FS regularly test More
An U.S. Air Force Airman with the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit generates a helicopter sortie during a training exercise April 11, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Airmen at every level are empowered to lead d More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Gilbert Martinez, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance technician, sands down a piece of sheet metal using a belt sander Feb. 21, 2018, at Kadena A More
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron train members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force on flightline repair techniques Feb. 28, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Machines such as excavator More
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Case Cunningham, 18th Wing commander, center, and Col. Richard Tanner, 18th Wing vice commander, left, stand with members of the Japan-American Air Force Goodwill Association for a gro More
U.S. Air Force Capt. John ShalekBriski, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, leaves his apartment for a training ride March 17, 2018, in Okinawa, Japan. On their “sprint” portions of the training rides, ShalekBr More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class’ Ashley Cromwell, left, and Gabrielle McDowell, right, both 18th Medical Group medical material technicians, check the contents of boxes before palletizing them March 21, 2018, a More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tomas Figueroa, 18 Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman, instructs a class March 29, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Members go through periodic training to ensu More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jared Smallwood, 18th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, left, strikes a bag held by Airman 1st Class Andrew Carothers, 18th SFS patroller, during combatives tra More
A local Okinawan removes vegetation from a tomb April 22, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Families will visit the tombs at least once a year to maintain them and pay respect to their deceased family members. ( More
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Minuet Comstock, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, cleans hand tools as part of routine inspection May 2, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mayra Autagne, 18th Medical Group lab technician, runs a rapid strep test May 14, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The lab is meant to provide doctors with more accurate diagnostic inf More
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 18th Medical Group navigate through dense jungle terrain during the Preventative Aerospace Medicine Convention May 18, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Airmen from the 18th More