Photos

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam

Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Phil Davidson walks with local leaders of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) prior to boarding a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules during Operation Christmas Drop 2018 on the island of Chuuk, FSM, Dec. 10, 2018. The visit allowed Davidson the opportunity to not only take in the OCD mission firsthand, but also share that experience with the local community. Share

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam

Senior Airman Kylie Hanni, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, waits outside of a C-130J Super Hercules to greet Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Phil Davidson on the island of Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia during Operation Christmas Drop 2018, Dec. 10, 2018. In its 67th year, OCD is the world’s longest running airdrop training mission providing critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands impacting approximately 20,000 people across 1.8 million square nautical miles of operating area. Share

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam

Senior Airman Kylie Hanni, left, and Airman 1st Class Jaime Suarez, right, both 36th Airlift Squadron loadmasters out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, verify their drop zone over the island of Nama, Federated States of Micronesia, during Operation Christmas Drop 2018, Dec. 10, 2018. The flight, carrying Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Phil Davidson and local leaders from the FSM, gave the passengers a firsthand experience into how the aircrews that attend OCD execute the mission. While aboard, Davidson stressed the importance of OCD, a trilateral operation between the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jietai), and the Royal Australian Air Force, plays in maintaining the mutual security in the Pacific island chain. Share

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam

Nicolas Ortiz, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, completes an in-flight check on the systems of Santa 21, a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules on its way to deliver critical supplies to the island of Nama, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) during Operation Christmas Drop 2018, Dec. 10, 2018. Every December crews from Yokota team up with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jietai), and Royal Australian Air Force to airdrop supplies to the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, FSM, and the Republic of Palau. Share

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam

1st. Lt. Emery Gumapas, 36th Airlift Squadron pilot out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, looks out of the window of a C-130J Super Hercules during Operation Christmas Drop 2018 en route to the island of Nama, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Dec. 10, 2018. The flight, carrying Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Phil Davidson and local leaders from the FSM, gave the passengers a firsthand experience into how the aircrews that attend OCD execute the mission. Share

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam

Lt. Col. Barry A. King, 374th Operations Group deputy commander, left, and 1st. Lt. Emery Gumapas, 36th Airlift Squadron pilot, right, make adjustments aboard Santa 21 on its way to airdrop supplies to the island of Nama, Federated States of Micronesia during Operation Christmas Drop 2018, Dec. 10, 2018. OCD is a trilateral training mission designed to give C-130 crews from the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Koku Jietai), and Royal Australian Air Force a chance to airdrop supplies on un-surveyed drop zones throughout the Pacific. Share

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam

Senior Airman Walter Frank, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, directs an equipment operator from the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron into position during Operation Christmas Drop 2018 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2018. Prior to being loaded onto the planes, the 374th LRS Combat Mobility Flight packs the parachutes and builds the Coastal Humanitarian Air Drop bundles that will be used throughout OCD. Share

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam

Airmen from 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron position themselves to load Coastal Humanitarian Air Drop (CHAD) bundles on to a C-130J Super Hercules during Operation Christmas Drop 2018 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2018. The 374 LRS Combat Mobility Flight work throughout the year to pack the parachutes and build the CHADS in preparation for OCD, supplying the 150 bundles used on training airdrops throughout the event. Share

GIMHAE AIR BASE, Republic of Korea

Staff Sgt. Mitchell Harkley, an independent duty medical technician with the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, demonstrates how to provide self-aid buddy care response to ROK airmen during trauma care training at Gimhae Hospital, Gimhae Air Base. U.S. Air Force medics joined their counterparts from the ROK Air Force and Army to hold the first ever joint training on trauma care. Share

YAMADA SUB BASE, Japan

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Senior Airman Shimizu, left, a 37th Surveillance Squadron radar maintenance technician, looks at a Japanese phrase book with U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Hannah Tatum’s, a 35th Communications Squadron radio frequency transmission systems technician, during a bilateral exchange program at Yamada Sub Base, Yamada Town, Japan, Oct. 17, 2018. U.S. Air Force members from various career fields stayed with their JASDF counterparts to better integrate with each other. Participants obtained a deeper understanding of cultural differences among themselves and learned to perform tasks together, ensuring fluid mission execution in the future. Share

WATERS SOUTH OF JAPAN

A Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine is participats in Exercise Keen Sword with Submarine Group 7 and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Sailors and staff. Keen Sword, which began Oct. 29, is a joint/bilateral training exercise between the U.S. military and their JSDF counterparts. For the submarine force, it is an opportunity to demonstrate how both countries' submariners would detect, locate, track and engage enemy assets. Share

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 13th Fighter Squadron sit on a runway during Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 19-1, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 6, 2018. RF-A 19-1, held Oct. 4 to 19, exposes all parties to combat-like scenarios to familiarize members with high-intensity, fast-paced operations to improve interoperability among allies. Share