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U.S. Air Force Airmen tie down and secure munitions to pallets during a Tactical Ammunition Rapid Response Package exercise Dec. 6, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The TARRP exercise simulates how the squadron would rapidly prepare munition packages for transport downrange in times of war.

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Operation Christmas Drop 16

Airman 1st Class Alejandra Vargas, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules loadmaster, pushes a bundle during Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 5, 2016. Australian and Japanese aircrews joined U.S. Airmen to execute the Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief training event where C-130 aircrews perform low-cost, low-altitude airdrops to drop zones while providing critical supplies to 56 islands.

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Disaster Preparedness

Residents of Chatan Town make their way through Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of a bilateral tsunami evacuation exercise Dec. 4, 2016. U.S. Military and civil authorities must be prepared to face any emergency that could occur on Okinawa. The tsunami evacuation exercise is one possible scenario that both nations can train for, execute and evaluate.

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Tigers arrive in Chitose

U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA) 542, exit a U.S. Air Force C-130J upon their arrival at Chitose Air Base, Dec. 2, 2016. VMA-542 journeyed to Chitose to partake in the Aviation Relocation Training program in an effort to increase operational readiness between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Air Self Defense Force, improve interoperability and reduce noise concerns of aviation training on local communities by disseminating training locations throughout Japan.

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S.O. team trains for decontamination

The hazardous material, or hazmat, team with the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic respond to a simulated chemical attack during decontamination training at Marine Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 1, 2016. The clinic holds decontamination training biannually to prepare the base for real-world chemical contaminations.

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US, Japan breaks barriers, reinforces partnership during exchange

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kostyantyn Morozyuk, a 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, works with Japan Air Self-Defense Force Staff Sgt. Tomoyuki Numao, a 3rd Air Wing crew chief, during a "4 Lenses" exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 30, 2016. The "4 Lenses" test is a proven personality assessment which helps organizations build understanding of the innate talent and potential of its individuals. Airmen and JASDF members were given a chance to work around language barriers while getting to know each other prior to working together during a bilateral exchange.

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MCAS Futenma hosts Japanese language class for service members, families

Takaatsu Sueyoshi, right, instructs students on Japanese pronunciation during a Survival Japanese Language Class Nov. 29 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The class taught students basic speech, reading and writing skills to enrich their experience while stationed on Okinawa. During the class, the instructor demonstrated the three basic writing styles called hiragana, katakana and kanji. After the demonstration, participants practiced reading, writing and speaking basic Japanese words and phrases. Sueyoshi is a library technician and the instructor of the Survival Japanese Language class.

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U.S. Marines hold annual Warrior Challenge in Okinawa

Marines from 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, carry a rubber inflatable raft into the water to begin the "boating" station on Camp Schwab, Okinawa during their annual Warrior Challenge, Nov. 25, 2016. This event honors fallen Marines in the battalion and consists of nine stations to challenge the Marines mentally and physically.

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U.S.-Japan Mine Countermeasures Units Conduct Mine Countermeasures Exercise

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force minesweeper JDS Chichijima (MSC-605) sails in the distance during the U.S.-Japan bilateral mine countermeasures exercise 3JA. 3JA is an annual bilateral exercise held between the U.S. Navy and JMSDF to strengthen interoperability and increase proficiencies in mine countermeasure operations.

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USS Ronald Reagan departs Yokosuka for sea trials

In this file photo, the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), patrols waters south of Japan, before returning to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, at the end of a three-month patrol in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. During the patrol, Ronald Reagan participated in exercises Valiant Shield, Invincible Spirit and Keen Sword, designed to enhance joint military operations with partner nations throughout the region, Nov 21, 2016. The crew also completed its Unit Level Training Assessment-Sustainment and Maintenance and Material Management Assessment. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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Special Forces Support Soldiers Get Tactical Tune-up at Two-Week Course

The 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group is unique, in that it is one of two forward deployed battalions in the Special Forces' inventory. Their portfolio is as diverse and challenging as one would expect of Special Operations in the Pacific. For the enablers, this means being at the top of their game as the Green Berets they support serve far beyond the tip of the spear.

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Marine Osprey refueled by Japanese Defense Force

Sgt. Andrew Sturgress, a MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, walks past Mr. Norio Tomonaga, the Mayor of Sasebo, and the Assemblymen of Defense for Sasebo City during take-off preparation from Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan, Nov. 18, 2016. The aircraft flew from the island of Okinawa, conducted simulated humanitarian aid with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at multiple locations and was refueled by JMSDF personnel before returning to Okinawa. Sturgess is a native of Sidney, Illinois.

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USS Hopper arrives in Hong Kong for port visit

USS Hopper (DDG 70) file photo.

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Stethem Returns to Japan after Seven-Month Patrol

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) returns to Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka following its 2016 patrol, Nov. 17. Stethem made a brief stop at FLEACT Sasebo to pick up family members for a Tiger Cruise. FLEACT Yokosuka provides, maintains, and operates base facilities and services in support of 7th Fleet’s forward-deployed naval forces, 83 tenant commands, and 24,000 military and civilian personnel.

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US, Japan strengthen defense through Active Shield

U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self Defense Force members executed exercise Active Shield at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 10, 2016. Active Shield is an annual exercise designed to test the abilities of U.S. and Japanese forces to work alongside each other to protect and defend Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and other U.S. assets in the region.

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Keen Sword 2017

Senior Airman Anthony Schoof, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules loadmaster, observes Japan Ground Self-Defense Force container delivery system bundles parachute to a drop zone during Keen Sword 2017, Nov. 10, 2016, over the Kyushu prefecture, Japan. Keen Sword is designed to practice the critical capabilities to support the defense of Japan, and to respond to a potential crisis or contingency in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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Keen Sword 17

An MC-130H Combat Talon II from the 1st Special Operations Squadron refuels an HH-60 Pave Hawk from the 943rd Rescue Group during Exercise Keen Sword 17 Nov. 7, 2016, near Okinawa, Japan. U.S. forces will conduct training with their Japan Self-Defense Force counterparts at military installations throughout mainland Japan, Okinawa and in the waters surrounding Japan.

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Kadena partners with local community engineers in SAME symposium

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Grainger, 18th Civil Engineer Group commander, speaks during the Society of American Military Engineers Japan Post symposium Nov. 7, 2016, in Okinawa, Japan. The Society of American Military Engineers is an organization dedicated to bringing engineers, both military and local citizens, together for mutual learning.

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Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein visits Kadena Airmen

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein congratulates Tech. Sgt. Kyle Rowe, 18th Wing Safety Office occupational safety manager, on outstanding NCO excellence Nov. 4, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. During his visit, Goldfein congratulated and coined Kadena’s top performers in different units throughout the base.

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33rd HMU conducts 600-hour inspection

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Sean Rippens, 33rd Helicopter Maintenance Unit HH-60G Pavehawk crew chief, drains the main gear box during a phase inspection at Kadena Air Base, Japan. A phase inspection or 600-hour inspection ensures that the aircraft stays maintained, serviceable and mission ready.

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