Photos

WASHINGTON, District of Columbia

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper speaks at a cermony in which Air Force General Charles Q. Brown Jr. Succeeds Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein as the Air Force chief of staff at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Aug. 6, 2020. Share

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan

A view of the C-130J Weapon System Training simulator at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2020. The 374th Operations Support Squadron held the ribbon cutting ceremony for the C-130J WST facility. The C-130J WST accurately simulates the aircraft and the mission space it operates in while accurately recreating the sounds, motion, visual scenes, instruments and all other systems to provide a high-fidelity, realistic flight training environment. Share

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan

U.S. Air Force Col. Kristopher Struve, 35th Fighter Wing commander, presents a certificate of recognition honoring the Misawa Chapel Team for winning the Terence P. Finnegan Award at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 23, 2020. Named after Maj. Gen. Terence P. Finnegan, the award recognizes the Air Force Outstanding Medium Chapel Team of the Year. Share

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBORHICKAM, Hawaii

A 60th Air Mobility Wing C-17 from Travis Air Force Base, California, support a Transport Isolation System operation at Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, July 17, 2020. A team of Airmen from several commands rapidly executed a Transport Isolation System in support of a COVID-19 bio-containment aeromedical evacuation mission. This is the first time the TIS was utilized in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. The TIS is an infectious disease containment unit designed to minimize contamination risk to aircrew and medical attendants, while allowing in-flight medical care for patients afflicted by a disease. Share

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan

U.S. Special Operations Forces member repels onto the deck of a ship from a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron during Exercise Gryphon Jet at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 15, 2020. Gryphon Jet is an integrated training exercise focused on improving interoperability throughout the special operations community. Share

WASHINGTON, District of Columbia

South Korean service members fold a flag over a box containing the remains of a service member during a repatriation ceremony hosted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 23, 2020. The purpose of the ceremony was to transfer the remains and commemorate the service of 147 fallen South Korean soldiers who fought alongside U.S. and United Nations forces during the Korean War. The efforts to return the remains are a part of the DPAA Korean War Identification Project, and includes remains unilaterally turned over by North Korea from 1990 to 1994, and in 2018. The remains were analyzed jointly by the DPAA laboratory and scientists with the Republic of Korea's Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI). Working cooperatively, they concluded that the 147 individual remains are of South Korean origin, though the remains haven’t been individually identified. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rusty Frank) Share

MISAWA, Japan

U.S. Air Force Col Kristopher Struve, left, 35th Fighter Wing commander, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Takahiro Kubota, 3rd Air Wing and JASDF Misawa Air Base commander, shake hands in front of aircraft participating in an "Elephant Walk" at Misawa Air Base, June 22, 2020. Twelve U.S. Air Force F-16CM Fighting Falcons, 12 Koku-Jieitai F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters, two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers, a USN C-12 Huron, two USAF MC-130J Commando II aircraft, and a USN P-8 Poseidon participated in the Elephant Walk, which showcased Misawa Air Base’s collective readiness and ability to generate combat airpower at a moment's notice to ensure regional stability throughout the Indo-Pacific. This is Misawa Air Base’s first time hosting a bilateral and joint Elephant Walk. Share

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan

The sun rises over the Air Traffic Control Tower at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 12, 2020. Air traffic controllers with the 374th Operations Support Squadron report for duty before an airfield opening. Responsible for managing the flow of aircraft through all aspects of their flight, ATC specialists ensure the safety and efficiency of air traffic on the ground and in the air. Share

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBORHICKAM, Hawaii

U.S. Air Force Pararescue Airmen prepare for NASA’s SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2 on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, May 26, 2020. In preparation for the historic launch of a manned crew into space, several units from Team Hickam assisted the deployment of U.S. Air Force Guardian Angel Pararescue forces from the 58th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada as part of Task Force 45, facilitated by 45th Operations Group, Detachment 3, Human Space Flight Support located at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Share

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam

Students in a Tactical Combat Casualty Care class run to secure a location during the “care under fire” portion of their training, May 13, 2020 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. TCCC puts students in a simulated combat zone, where they will learn to operate under pressure using the techniques they learned in the classroom. Share

YOKOTA Air Base, Japan

Aircraft from the 36th Airlift Squadron, 459th Airlift Squadron and 21st Special Operations Squadron participate in the elephant walk portion of the Samurai Surge training exercise, May 21, 2020, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The Samurai Surge event also served as a training opportunity for aircrews to fine tune their skillsets and better prepare themselves to respond to humanitarian aid and disaster relief scenarios throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Share

WASHINGTON, District of Columbia

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón "CZ" Colón-López and Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jason L. France, senior enlisted leader for the U.S. Transportation Command, provide an update on PCS moves and safety measures being taken to protect service members and families in light of COVID-19 during a town hall for service members and their families, May 14, 2020. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders) Share