YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan –
In a demonstration of preparedness and resilience, 374th Operations Group aircrew swiftly followed the standards and procedures of “Launch to Survive” and launched their aircraft following simulated missile attack warnings during Exercise Beverly Morning 24-1 at Yokota Air Base, Japan.
Meanwhile, the "dirt boyz" from the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron swiftly sprang into action for Rapid Airfield Damage Repair. These maneuvers underscored Yokota's Agile Combat Employment capability—a combat readiness measure that enables airfield operations to continue amid conflict or degraded conditions.
“Launch to Survive” ensures that aircrews remain poised to respond rapidly, positioned in close proximity to the airfield around the clock. This state of readiness guarantees that Yokota's aircraft can be generated to depart the base at a moment's notice, effectively safeguarding valuable Air Force assets from potential harm.
Lt. Col. Christopher Casler, the 374th Operations Group deputy commander, praised the team's performance during the exercise.
"Thanks to the high-level training within the 36th Airlift Squadron, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and the entire support apparatus of the 374th Airlift Wing, we were able to push our limits," he said. "We are training to handle realistic pacing threat scenarios, and these exercises enhance our ability to execute airlift missions under challenging or contested airfield conditions."
However, airlift operations rely on a functional runway. Thus, the 374th CES Airmen swiftly assessed the damage and runway operability, reported the extent of damage, and mobilized units to promptly repair the affected areas using cement to restore the runway's functionality and keep the ACE concept moving in support of theater-wide power projection.
"RADR is one of the most critical roles we have during wartime at Yokota," said Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Miller, 374th CES ACE superintendent. "Being able to swiftly mend the runway also allows us to incorporate the ACE concept by ensuring aircraft can land and take off at Yokota, which impacts operations at various other locations in the theater."
These training scenarios during BM 24-1 directly tie into a Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, U.S. Air Forces Pacific commander, priority to advance theater posture as defined in his newest strategy update titled “PACAF 2030” which directs the command to posture to rapidly respond to a wide range of crises.