Why we are here in Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa is called " the keystone of the pacific" because of its strategic location.

We're only 900 miles from Tokyo , Manila, Seoul, and Hong Kong and our air -refueled range

  is much greater than 2500miles which allows us air power any where in the western pacific.

  Nations flag as part of the United Nations command rear.

The 18th Wing's mission is to defend U.S and Japanese's mutual interests by providing a responsive staging and operational airbase with integrated, deployable, forward-based airpower. 

This is the reason We, U.S Air Force, exist.

The focus of all our operations is directed to accomplishing this mission.  Strategy used to employ this mission centers around a composite force of combat-ready fighter, air refueling, airborne warning and control and rescue aircraft.

The 18th Wing is Kadena's host unit. It is the oldest wing on continuous active duty and is the only active wing whose fighters have never served in the continental United States.  A variety of units form one of the world's largest and most complex airbase.  Over7,000 arimen, 11,000 family members and 1,300civilians make up the base's Air Force community.  An additional 3,000 Japanese civilians and 10,000 contract employees round out the team.

The 18th Wing possesses a formidable array of air assets including F-15, KC-135, E3 AWACS and HH-60 aircraft valued at over $4billion, as well as other equipment and capital assets valued at about $2billion.  Our combat power is represented by three squadrons of F-15Cs, which are considered to be the world's foremost air superiority fighter aircraft. These fighters are prepared to deploy anywhere in the region to protect the mutual interests of the U.S. and Japan.  The base also provides infrastructure support to U.S Army, Navy and Marine Corps forces assigned to or transiting Kadena.

Subordinate to 5th Air Force, headquartered at Yokota AB, Japan, the 18th Wing is composed of five groups: operations, logistics, support, civil engineer and medical. Together with the wing staff and associate units representing five Air Force major commands and numerous other DOD agencies and services, we form Kadena Team.

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