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5th Air Force

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Staff Sgt. Caleb Williams, 18th Operations Support Squadron SERE specialist, performs a communications check aboard a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron for exercise Keen Sword Nov. 4, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. During the training, members of the 33rd RQS practiced recovery operations for a simulated downed pilot in a hostile environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 33rd Rescue Squadron fly in formation with a MC-130J Commando II from the 17th Special Operations Squadron for exercise Keen Sword Nov. 4, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Air Force rescue squadrons frequently train on a multitude of scenarios in order to stay prepared for potential real-world contingencies and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Vincent Hnat, 33rd Rescue Squadron special mission aviator, communicates with aircrew on a MC-130J Commando II from the 17th Special Operations Squadron off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. During the training, members of the 33rd RQS performed an array of maneuvers and procedures to include helocasting, a simulated downed pilot in a hostile environment and helicopter air-to-air refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Lopez, 31st Rescue Squadron pararescueman, scans the ocean during a training flight a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd RQS Nov. 4, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. During the training, members of the 33rd RQS practiced recovery operations for a simulated downed pilot in a hostile environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Lopez, 31st Rescue Squadron pararescueman, performs a communications check aboard a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron for exercise Keen Sword Nov. 4, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. During the training, members of the 33rd RQS practiced recovery operations for a simulated downed pilot in a hostile environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II from the 17th Special Operations Squadron prepares to perform in-flight refueling with a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron Nov. 4, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, for the annual exercise Keen Sword. The fundamental role of U.S. forces in Japan is to deter aggression and maintain peace and security in the region, and is an essential component of the U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

The Air Force has used Pave Hawks since 1982 in an array of combat and humanitarian search and rescue operations. Air Force rescue squadrons frequently train on a multitude of scenarios in order to stay prepared for potential real-world contingencies and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

A U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron performs in-flight refueling with a MC-130J Commando II from the 17th Special Operations Squadron during a training exercise Nov. 4, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. The 33rd RS performs military personnel recovery, civil search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Vincent Hnat, 33rd Rescue Squadron special mission aviator, scans his surroundings aboard a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter Nov. 4, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan as part of exercise Keen Sword. During the exercise, combat rescue teams train to increase the interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, respond to a potential crisis and offer humanitarian assistance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Staff Sgt. Caleb Williams, 18th Operations Support Squadron SERE specialist, performs a communications check aboard a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron for exercise Keen Sword Nov. 4, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. During the exercise, combat rescue teams train to increase the interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, respond to a potential crisis and offer humanitarian assistance.

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II from the 17th Special Operations Squadron prepares to perform in-flight refueling with a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron Nov. 4, 2016, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Keen Sword is a regularly scheduled exercise which strengthens Japan-U.S. military interoperability and meets mutual defense objectives. Japan-U.S. military operations and exercises increase readiness to respond to varied crisis situations in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Airmen prepare to board an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron during annual exercise Keen Sword Nov. 4, 2016, on Kadena Air Base, Japan. Keen Sword is a regularly scheduled exercise which strengthens Japan-U.S. military interoperability and meets mutual defense objectives. Japan-U.S. military operations and exercises increase readiness to respond to varied crisis situations in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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18th Wing, 353rd SOG aircraft practice life-saving skills for Keen Sword 2016

Published Nov. 9, 2016
By By Air Force Senior Airman John Linzmeier, 18th Wing
18th Wing Public Affairs

Kadena Air Base Japan --

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword