320th Special Tactics Squadron Airmen execute amphibious training (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman John Linzmeier) ^A combat control Airman from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Kadena Air Base, prepares to submerge during an amphibious operations exercise Sept. 22, off the west coast of Okinawa. Special tactics Airmen are trained to execute a variety of infi ltration methods that enable them to be inserted into environments that may otherwise be unreachable. ^ Airmen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Kadena Air Base, perform a helo-casting jump out of a HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 33rd Rescue Squadron during an amphibious operations exercise Sept. 22, off the west coast of Okinawa. Team members are qualifi ed in non-standard methods of infi ltration to include, static line, military freefall, and closed and open circuit diving. READ AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING PAGE 2 Resiliency, communicating KSO needs volunteers for game day training to be held for By Airman 1st Class Corey M. Pettis give back to the local community. Not only is it a 18th Wing Public Affairs great opportunity to give back, but also to create 9/25/2015 — Th e 2015 Kadena Special Olympics lasting memories for the athletes. Wingman Day, October 2 is looking for at least 1700 volunteers to partic- “Our goal is to make it the best day ever for ipate in this year’s games at the Risner Fitness the athletes,” said Capt. Stan Hashimoto, KSO Center on Kadena Air Base, Nov. 7. director of operations. “We have many diff erent Most of the volunteer positions will be athlete events for the athletes to compete in and I think buddies. An athlete buddy is an escort for the that everyone involved will have a great time.” athlete and their family and will service as an Game day starts with an opening ceremony ambassador for the U.S. military. Th ey will be where the athletes walk down center fi eld. Th ere responsible for making sure the athletes get to are a total of 18 diff erent events for athletes to and from events as well as ensuring the athletes participate in, including wheelchair 50 meter receive lunch. race, tennis skills, soft ball throw, and badminton. Athlete buddies will be assigned to a partic- Check-in for volunteers on game day is at ular athlete for the entire activity day and will 6:30 a.m. at the Risner Fitness Center volunteers not be permitted to leave them alone under any should plan on staying until the closing ceremo- circumstances. ny at 3 p.m. Th e athlete buddies are to be the athletes’ Athlete buddies should wear comfortable, main cheerleader, cheering them on and con- conservative clothes. gratulating them aft er each event. Volunteers can contact their respective group “I have not heard of one individual walk away representatives: from Kadena Special Olympics without feeling OG - Master Sgt. Timothy Middleton (U.S. Air Force illustration by Senior Airman John Linzmeier) ^Wingman Day is scheduled for Oct. 2, on Kadena Air Base, as an opportunity for Airmen a sense of pride in what they just witnessed, not MXG - Senior Master Sgt. Keric Craig to step outside of their day-to-day work environment and focus on team-building exercises. just for themselves, but pride in what the ath- MDG - Capt. Patrick Meade Wingman Day encourages Comprehensive Airmen Fitness, enhancing resiliency skills with letes were able to accomplish,” said Master Sgt. MSG - Senior Master Sgt. Brian Pederson group activities to promote physical, mental, social and spiritual fi tness. Paul Baisden, 18th Component Maintenance SOG - Master Sgt. Jeremy Vanleeuwe Squadron F-100 section chief. “Th e look on the CEG - Senior Master Sgt. Ross Erlenbach By Senior Airman Wingman Day encourages athlete’s face when they compete, the motivation Group 7 - Master Sgt. Derek Druschel John Linzmeier Comprehensive Airmen to do their best and mostly the reaction when WSA - 1st Lt. Erik Anthony 18th Wing Public Affairs Fitness, enhancing resiliency they receive their medal has touched my heart Army - 2d Lt. Th eodore Fong 9/30/2015 — Wingman Day is skills with group activities forever.” Marine Corps - Cpl. Wesley Lucko or Cassan- slated for Oct. 2, as an oppor- to promote physical, mental, As the largest annual Special Olympics out- dra Ladd (MCCS) tunity for Airmen here to step social and spiritual fi tness. side the United States, KSO provides Kadena Volunteers can also sign-up online at http:// outside of their day-to-day “Th e focus of this particular Airmen an opportunity to put on sporting specialolympicskadena.com/wordpress/events/ work environment and focus WINGMAN DAY competitions for people with disabilities and game-day/. on fostering team-building. SEE PAGE 3 2 SAMURAI GATE OCTOBER 2, 2015 AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING FROM PAGE 1 By Senior Airman John Linzmeier 18th Wing Public Affairs 9/25/2015 — Airmen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron conducted an amphibious train- ing operation along the west coast of Okinawa Sept. 22 - 24 to refresh qualifi cations and retain profi ciency in various special tactics skill sets. Th e training entailed day and nighttime helo-casting in cohe- sion with HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter support from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, followed by open water navigation in combat rubber raiding craft s and an open circuit navigation dive. Th rough helo-casting, a spe- cial tactics team is fl own to an insertion point above the water by helicopter and members jump out of the aircraft into the (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier) Combat control Airmen from the 320th Special Tactics ^Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron water. ^ “It’s important for us to Squadron, Kadena Air Base, perform an open-circuit from Kadena Air Base submerge into the ocean during navigation dive during an amphibious operations exercise an amphibious operations exercise Sept. 22, off the west conduct training that involves Sept. 22, off the west coast of Okinawa. Special tactics coast of Okinawa. Special tactics Airmen train frequently a variety of infi ltration methods team Airmen are organized, trained and equipped to to sharpen their skillsets in order to support airpower as it allows us to be inserted conduct special operations core tasks during high-risk throughout the full spectrum of mission sets U.S. Special into environments that may combat operations. Operations Command undertakes. otherwise be unreachable which (Courtesy photo) enables us to bring our skill sets of personnel and equipment or respond to a crisis from either successful and safe completion strong points that were executed to bear anywhere we’re asked to,” enable a landing site for fol- one in short order.” of our missions,” said Dunn. “In with fi nesse and communicated said 1st Lt. Blaze Dunn, 320th low-on-forces to arrive during STS units can comprise the high-risk and quick moving improvements that can be STS special tactics offi cer.” an emergency. combat control, pararescue, and environments our operators implemented for the next op- Th e exercise participants “A diffi cult mission can come special operations weather team oft en fi nd themselves, it is im- eration. To make the most out are trained and equipped to from a lot of places in an area Airmen. Each specialty brings a perative each man on the team of every mission, STS Airmen conduct special operations as big as the Pacifi c,” said Lt. unique set of skills to the fi ght. must trust that the man to his sharpen their skills frequently tasks during high-risk combat Col. Edmund Loughran, 320th Regardless of duty title, each left and the man to his right will in order to support airpower or weather operations. Th eir STS Commander. “Be it combat Airman is expected to look out tow his end of the line.” throughout the full spectrum of ability to infi ltrate and secure a related or even from mother for one another. As the training concluded, mission sets U.S. Special Opera- location can lead to the recovery nature, this training allows us to “Teamwork is vital to the team members went over the tions Command undertakes. AF streamlines expeditionary readiness training By Secretary of the while maximizing effi ciency. most training currently provided in bypass CBTs, aligning predeployment Air Force Public Affairs “We recognize the importance of other venues. training with the AEF battle rhythm of 9/30/2015 - WASHINGTON — Air making sure our Airmen’s time is used as “We’ve heard, listened and responded 36-month cycles, and waiving prede- Force offi cials announced the creation effi ciently as possible,” said Secretary of to Airmen’s feedback regarding prede- ployment training for similar ancillary of a new streamlined Expeditionary the Air Force Deborah Lee James. “Per- ployment training,” said Air Force Chief or functional profi ciency training Air- Readiness Program governance con- sonal and professional time invested in of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. “It is my men have already accomplished. struct that replaces the current tiered readiness should be done purposefully duty and highest priority to ensure our Eff ective Oct. 1, the new policy predeployment training model. and with the goal of improving Airmen’s Airmen are prepared to enter any com- modifi cations will be captured in a new Th e updated program is designed to ability to perform their duties in fulfi ll- bat environment with the skills needed Air Force Guidance Memorandum that ensure expeditionary readiness training ing global expeditionary requirements.” to be successful and we do that by will eventually become a new 10-series is relevant, eff ective, timely, synchro- Th e ERT