KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The purpose of the Gryphon Pacific 20-1 was to exercise the 353rd Special Operations Group’s ability to employ lethal, agile, resilient forces throughout the United States Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. Airmen hailing from Kadena Air Base, Japan, and assigned to the 18th Wing and 353rd SOG, conducted detailed planning and executed a complex mission with multiple different tasks.

The main focus of the exercise was to conduct long-range expeditionary basing operations within a high threat environment.

A Global Access Special Tactics Team from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron (STS), 353rd SOG, conducted a military free-fall jump to seize, establish, and control Wake Island Airfield.

As part of Gryphon Pacific 20-1, two Special Tactics teams rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night.

The 320th STS employs Special Tactics operators capable of conducting Global Access, Precision Strike, and Personnel Recovery operations, strengthening regional alliances through global mission execution.