SAMURAI GATE MARCH 3, 2017 Team Kadena Looks Back Then and Now
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44th Fighter Squadron F-15 Eagle and Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 27 and 102, F/A-18 Super Hornets, assigned to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, fl y in formation after a training sortie Feb. 16, over Okinawa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft) By Senior Airman how to adapt and work with members eff ective defense possible by understand- conjunction with the F-15, which helps Nick Emerick of other branches at a moment’s notice; ing both the capabilities and limitations us to develop tactics, making us more 18th Wing Public Affairs exercises such as these greatly increase of their counterparts. lethal and successful overall.” 2/28/2017 — Members of the 44th Fight- our mission capability and readiness,” “Th is is the fi rst time in a while that According to Jamieson, not only do er Squadron on Kadena Air Base, hosted said CDR Dan Cochran, VFA-27 Strike the 44th has been able to integrate with these types of joint trainings exercises training as part of a multi-branch exercise Fighter Squadron commander. “Normal- the Navy at a tactical level; we’ve done strengthen the U.S. military team, but with U.S. Navy pilots and maintainers ly when we operate together, the Navy is a lot of operational level training, but they also reconfi rm to our partner from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. generally based off of a ship, while the Air the ability to work at the tactical level nations that America is always there Th e exercise took place Feb. 13 – 17, Force is land based. Th is training gave allows us to improve our skills in entirely in every mission, every domain, and in and allowed members from both services us the opportunity to brief and debrief diff erent ways including the defensive every location. to learn about the diff erent types of oper- together, learn from each other and work counter-air mindset. Th is allows us to “Th e training we are conducting ations conducted by each other, as well as side by side.” ultimately achieve our objectives,” said has allowed us to enhance U.S. forces the capabilities of the other’s aircraft s. According to Cochran, opportunities Lt. Col. Kevin Jamieson, 44th FS com- interoperability, which serves to bolster “Training with a diff erent service is such as these are important teamwork mander. “We learned a lot about how both services’ capability to defend assets important because when executing the training opportunities, both Navy and the F/A-18 Super Hornet works, and and allies in Japan and throughout the air defense mission it’s integral to know Air Force pilots can provide the most what part it plays in mission execution in Indo-Asia Pacifi c Th eater,” said Cochran. 2 SAMURAI GATE MARCH 3, 2017 Team Kadena looks back Then and now 33rd Rescue Squadron has been station on the island of Okinawa, uninterrupted since 1971, they offi cially joined the 18th Wing in 1993. The 33rd RQS plays a vital part in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacifi c Region by providing forward power projection as well as search, rescue and recovery mission capabilities. The HH-60G Pave Hawk, which is capable of rescue missions in different environments, night or day, is used by the 33rd RQS. The 33rd RQS maintains readiness for mobilization, deployment and employment of helicopters and rescue of U.S. and allied military members, and civilians when necessary. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman Nick Emerick) U.S. departs Aero India, leaves stronger relationships behind By Capt. Mark Lazane C-130J Super Hercules assigned Patrol Squadron 10. “We hope Pacifi c Air Forces Public Affairs to the 143rd Airlift Wing, Rhode this air show is a steppingstone 2/27/2017 - BENGALARU, Island Air National Guard, were to further our partnership with KA, India — U.S. aircraft , crew all on display for the estimated India through military-to-mili- and support personnel, as well 500,000 people in attendance. tary interoperability.” as members of the Department Th e C-130J and F-16 also Th e sizable crowd was not of State and other U.S. represen- participated in the aerial demon- the only group of people who tatives returned home this week stration portion of the show. enjoyed the airshow experience. aft er a strong showing at Aero Th e C-130J played an especial- “Demonstrating the capa- India 2017 at Air Force Station ly pivotal role when it delivered bilities of the C-130J draws me Yelahanka, India Feb. 20. U.S. Air Force members from the to participate,” said Maj. Mike On the heels of the recently 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Collins, a RIANG C-130J pilot. announced Major Defense Kadena Air Base with special “It was enjoyable fl ying the air- Partnership between the United operations paratroopers from drop profi le and displaying the (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mark Lazane) States and India, the represen- the Indian Army’s 2nd Parachute tactical ability of this aircraft . ^MaryKay Carlson, Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Mission to India, stands outside a P-8 tation of American airpower Regiment on two freefall jumps, We performed multiple joint Poseidon with U.S. Navy Commander Mike Albus, pilot and Executive Offi cer for Fixed Wing Patrol Squadron 10, as part of Aero India 2017 at Air Force Station Yelahanka, India Feb. 16. and the robust senior-level U.S. to the delight of the crowd. force airdrops including joint Government delegation present Th e C-130J’s inclusion was a jumpmaster briefi ngs and daily take in the sensationalism of be- Th e P-8 crew was similarly during the show demonstrated capstone to a two-week training detailed mission coordination ing on this side of the fl ight line,” enthused by the experience and the U.S. commitment to India, a event that marked the fi rst time exercises. Working with 2 Para said Albus. “We train exclusively the opportunity to share their growing and pivotal relationship. a USAF C-130J has operated on Indian Special Forces at Aero for the operational mission, and mission with several Indian Th e United States does not the Indian subcontinent. India was fl awless in communi- when our combat air crews have distinguished visitors, including look at Aero India as a trade- In addition, at the request of cation and execution and I hold an opportunity to put their skills the Indian Chief of Naval Staff , show, but rather as an opportu- the Indian Navy, the U.S. Navy my Indian military counterparts to the test on a real-life mission, Sunil Lanba. nity to display the growth in the sent a P-8 for display at Aero in high regard.” there is nothing more rewarding “Our aircrew has enjoyed Indian/U.S. defense cooperation India, an aircraft both countries However, you did not need and energizing. However, I don't speaking a common language relationship, allowing the two operate. to be a part of the aerial demon- think any of them would turn with our friends and having nations to work together. “Displaying our aircraft in stration to appreciate the show’s down this opportunity in the the opportunity to showcase Th e Pacifi c Air Forces F-16 the Aero India 2017 airshow signifi cance. future!” what we do, said Albus. “Air- Fighting Falcon demonstration reaffi rms our commitment with “Our attendance at the “Th is show has been extreme- shows are a critical component team, assigned to Misawa Air the Indian Armed Forces and is a Aero India air show has been a ly enjoyable and fulfi lling,” said for furthering partnerships Base, Japan, a U.S. Navy P-8 key opportunity to communicate life-changing event for many of Collins. “Th is was the fi rst visit through relationships. “We en- Poseidon aircraft , assigned to our level of interest in bilateral our Sailors as they step aboard to India for eight of the 11 of us. joyed speaking a common lan- Naval Air Station Jacksonville, cooperation” said U.S. Navy planes they have only read about, We were very impressed with guage with our friends and hav- Fla. deployed to Kadena Air Commander Mike Albus, the as they experience the hospitality the hospitality and gracious ing the opportunity to showcase base, and a U.S. Air Force Executive Offi cer for Fixed Wing of the Indian people, and as they eff orts of our Indian hosts.” what we do.” Published by Eight Co., Ltd. a private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the 18th Wing. 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For commercial advertising, inquiry, send an email to [email protected] Offi cial Kadena Air Base inquiries: [email protected] DSN:634-3813 MARCH 3, 2017 SAMURAI GATE 3 909th Aircraft Maintenance Unit conducts power run By Senior Airman Omari Bernard 18th Wing Public Affairs 2/26/2017 — Th e KC-135R Stratotankers stationed on Kadena Air Base have a critical role in the U.S.