KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – The 18th Wing conducted a no-notice exercise Oct. 11 through 13, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan.

Units conducted training in Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear during the exercise. Members wore the equipment during normal and exercise-related operations and varied their level of protection throughout the training to maintain their efficiency in keeping themselves safe.

“Team Kadena worked hard to make this exercise a success and I’m proud of their dedication to the mission,” said Lt. Col. Alexander Haddad, 18th Operations Group vice commander. “While the team did very well, we were able to identify areas for improvement.”

Individual units were responsible for ensuring all proper actions and precautions were taken throughout the exercise. Scenarios specific to each organization, such as the medical group administering first-aid, were conducted to give members a better understanding of what would be expected of them when responding to crises.

“The medics adapted really quickly to the stress and the exercise was a great learning environment,” said Maj. Richard Caballero, 18th Medical Group Wing Inspection Team lead. “I think we learned a lot and should do exercises like this more often.”

While local exercises help support and maintain Kadena, units within the U.S. Pacific Command work together to maintain a secure and stable environment through their continued support of individual, joint and bilateral missions and training.

“We conduct training such as this to ensure we are prepared to react quickly and effectively by providing responsive forward-based air power to counter any threat to the regions peace and stability,” said Haddad. “I am confident that our Airmen are committed to their critical role in the region and are ready to maintain peace in the Pacific.”