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HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility map
Organization Chart
USINDOPACOM Previous Commanders
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Women, Peace and Security
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
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Freedom of Information Act
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Submit FOIA Request
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JTF-MICRONESIA
JTF-Micronesia Contact
JTF-Micronesia Leadership
JTF-Micronesia - news
JTF - RED HILL
3/12 Executes a HIMARS Dry-Fire Training at Camp Fuji
3/12 Executes a HIMARS Dry-Fire Training at Camp Fuji
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Mine Matters
Mine Matters
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USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
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USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operation
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operation
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USS John Finn departs Yokosuka
USS John Finn departs Yokosuka
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Salaknib 25 | Operation Maneuver
Salaknib 25 | Operation Maneuver
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USS George Washington conducts flight operations in Philippine Sea
USS George Washington conducts flight operations in Philippine Sea
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U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
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31st MEU | Live-fire deck shoot aboard USS San Diego
31st MEU | Live-fire deck shoot aboard USS San Diego
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George Washington Conducts Helicopter Operations
George Washington Conducts Helicopter Operations
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Khaan Quest kicks off with an opening ceremony
Khaan Quest kicks off with an opening ceremony
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USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returns to Naval Base Guam
USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returns to Naval Base Guam
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USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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31st MEU | F-35B Lightning IIs conduct rapid flight operations
31st MEU | F-35B Lightning IIs conduct rapid flight operations
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Sailors man the rails aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor
Sailors man the rails aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor
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Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
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KAMANDAG 9: MRF-D 25.3 and PMC conduct a counter-landing live-fire defense
KAMANDAG 9: MRF-D 25.3 and PMC conduct a counter-landing live-fire defense
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Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane Performs joint flight operations with French Navy off the coast of Tahiti
Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane Performs joint flight operations with French Navy off the coast of Tahiti
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506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific
506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific
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Salaknib 25 | Final Assault
Salaknib 25 | Final Assault
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QUART: HMLA-369 Conducts Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
QUART: HMLA-369 Conducts Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
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MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, conduct raid with VMM-363 during Southern Jackaroo
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, conduct raid with VMM-363 during Southern Jackaroo
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QUART: CH53s Conduct Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
QUART: CH53s Conduct Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
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31st MEU | F-35B night flight operations
31st MEU | F-35B night flight operations
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MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, VMM-363 conduct air assault rehearsals during Predator’s Walk
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, VMM-363 conduct air assault rehearsals during Predator’s Walk
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Conducts Vertical Replenishment Training
Conducts Vertical Replenishment Training
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Activated Reserve Marines Conduct Live Fire MOUT during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct Live Fire MOUT during Korea Viper 25.4
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PACAF F-16 Demo Team conducts final flight after 30 years of enhancing U.S. relations worldwide
PACAF F-16 Demo Team conducts final flight after 30 years of enhancing U.S. relations worldwide
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KAMANDAG 9: VMM-364 Inserts Marines into Basco Island, Philippines
KAMANDAG 9: VMM-364 Inserts Marines into Basco Island, Philippines
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Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony
Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony
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KAMANDAG 9: 3d LCT conducts high explosive battle drills
KAMANDAG 9: 3d LCT conducts high explosive battle drills
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Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
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USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
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U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
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FF25: Blaze of Friendship
FF25: Blaze of Friendship
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Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
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Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
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U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
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31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
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F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
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USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
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EOD members conduct fast-rope ops onto USS Nimitz in South China Sea
EOD members conduct fast-rope ops onto USS Nimitz in South China Sea
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Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
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Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
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31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
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Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
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BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
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Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
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Balikatan 25: B Co. 3-25 exfils Gimlets
Balikatan 25: B Co. 3-25 exfils Gimlets
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BH 25-2: Kadena demonstrates Indo-Pacific readiness with joint elephant walk
BH 25-2: Kadena demonstrates Indo-Pacific readiness with joint elephant walk
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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U.S. Air Force participates in Freedom Flag 25-1
U.S. Air Force participates in Freedom Flag 25-1
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Nimitz Conducts Search and Rescue Training
Nimitz Conducts Search and Rescue Training
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Balikatan 25: U.S., Philippine, Australian Forces Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
Balikatan 25: U.S., Philippine, Australian Forces Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
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Staging
Staging
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PACOM Stories
Learning to Fly: Green Flight Helps 17th SOS Members Get Up to Speed
06 August 2018
From Airman 1st Class Greg Erwin
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KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Special operations squadron Airmen have a different skill set than other aircrew members – whether it’s performing specialized jobs in a forward deployed location or being tasked as part of a rescue operation – to be an Air Force Special Operations Command Airman takes specific training and a different mentality than other Air Force Specialty Codes.
This is where the Green Flight program, used in all AFSOC squadrons like the 1st Special Operations Squadron and 17th SOS here at Kadena, is crucial in helping Airmen new to AFSOC adjust to the operational pace of the job.
Modeled after the Army’s Green Platoon, the program started approximately five years ago and is designed to give Airmen who are new to AFSOC – whether it’s from technical training or from another major command – time to learn their role within an AFSOC squadron before transitioning into full flying status. The program is attended by both enlisted members and officers, comprised of loadmasters, combat system officers, pilots and co-pilots.
Whether an Airman is straight from tech school or from another MAJCOM, Green Flight is a vital step to performing at AFSOC standards –especially for Airmen coming from a schoolhouse environment transitioning to the operational Air Force, explained 1st Lt. James Barrington, 17th SOS combat systems officer.
For the first six months in the squadron, the new AFSOC Airman’s role is to learn their job by studying publications as well as participating in on-the-job training with experienced Airmen in order to become proficient in their role as an aircrew member. Unlike other career fields, there are no career development courses (CDC) for the Airmen to study – it’s all job-based knowledge. Upon completion of the program, the Airmen will then be tasked a secondary duty – such as scheduling or planning of flights within the squadron.
“After Airmen complete Green Flight, they get an updated patch that says Air Commando at the top,” said Master Sgt. Marty Cowan, 17th SOS superintendent.
After learning to be proficient, and becoming qualified aircrew members, the recognition with the ‘Air Commando’ tab is a token of significance to the Airmen, Cowan explained.
During Green Flight training, the Airmen learn AFSOC specific missions and mission sets they might not have learned in-depth during technical school or a previous MAJCOM, such as the high altitude low opening (HALO) free-fall parachuting, forward area refueling point (FARP) and air drop missions. Without the program, new Airmen would be expected to work at a full operational level with inadequate experience, Barrington explained.
For new Airmen, the learning environment with the program instructors makes for a gratifying experience.
“The most rewarding part is being able to work with highly experienced instructors,” Barrington said. “They have seen multiple deployments across their career and it’s helpful to hear their stories and learn from their experiences.”
While the program is getting rave reviews from the new Airmen, training the next wave of Air Commandos may be equally as gratifying for the instructors.
“I remember being a new kid coming through and not knowing anything about Okinawa, and figuring out things for myself,” said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Mills, 17 SOS Green Flight chief of training. “Now I get to teach new Airmen their job and about our mission here in the Pacific – and let them know how awesome of a gig we’ve got.”
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