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5th Air Force

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Tech. Sgt. Joshua Monroe, left, and Tech. Sgt. Eric Wellman, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmasters, wait for the green light to airdrop a container delivery system from an MC-130J Commando II during a sortie for exercise Gryphon Jet 21 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 1, 2021. The Commando II provides consistent infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces and equipment. With exercises like GJ21, the special operations mission remains equipped for contingency response in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

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Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Tech. Sgt. Eric Wellman, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, watches a container delivery system airdrop from an MC-130J Commando II during a sortie for exercise Gryphon Jet 21 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 1, 2021. Airdrop training sorties provide an opportunity for MC-130J aircrew to remain capable to provide consistent infiltration and resupply of special operations forces and equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

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Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

An MC-130J Commando II pilot, assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, looks through night vision goggles for any obstacles as he banks left during a sortie for exercise Gryphon Jet 21, near the Izu Peninsula, Japan, March 1, 2021. During the exercise, special operations personnel conducted a variety of NVG training, including low-level flights, which test the pilot and aircraft’s ability to maneuver quickly under simulated tactical operating scenarios. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

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Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Tech. Sgt. Eric Wellman, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, checks the tail flaps of an MC-130J Commando II prior to a sortie for exercise Gryphon Jet 21 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 1, 2021. During the exercise special operations personnel conducted airdrops, Tilt-Rotor Air-to-Air Refueling, forward area refueling point operations and pilot proficiency sorties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

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Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Tech. Sgt. Eric Wellman, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, speaks to the aircrew on an MC-130J Commando II during a sortie for exercise Gryphon Jet 21 near Camp Fuji, Japan, March 1, 2021. Gryphon Jet exercises are conducted to train for rapid deployment and interoperability between special operations personnel and partnering units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

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Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

A CV-22 Osprey, assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, is shown on a visual display on an MC-130J Commando II, assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Kadena, Japan, during a Tilt-Rotor Air-to-Air Refueling sortie for exercise Gryphon Jet 21 near the Izu Peninsula, March 1, 2021. Over the course of the exercise special operations assets also conducted forward area refueling point and pilot proficiency trainings, and night vision goggle low level and airdrop sorties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding)

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Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Staff Sgt. Chris Paris, right, and Airman 1st Class Tyler Moore, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels technicians, Kadena Air Base, Japan, hold a fuel hose during a forward area refueling point training as part of exercise Gryphon Jet 21 at Yokota Air Base, March 1, 2021. FARP is a rapid transfer of fuel from one aircraft to another, in this case an MC-130J Commando II, assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group, refuels a CV-22 Osprey, assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tyrone Thomas)

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Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Airman 1st Class McKenzie McGroarty, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, Kadena Air Base, Japan, left, drains the gas from a fuel hose during a forward area refueling point training as part of exercise Gryphon Jet 21 at Yokota Air Base, March 1, 2021. With FARP support, any accessible landing zone can be used to refuel aircraft and get them back to the fight, enhancing the U.S. military’s adaptive capabilities to deliver airpower lethality more effectively and efficiently anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tyrone Thomas)

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Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Staff Sgt. Chris Paris, left, and Airman 1st Class Tyler Moore, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels technicians, Kadena Air Base, Japan, wait to attach a fuel pump to a CV-22 Osprey, assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, during a forward area refueling point training as part of exercise Gryphon Jet 21 at Yokota Air Base, March 1, 2021. Gryphon Jet exercises are conducted to train for rapid deployment and interoperability between special operations personnel and partnering units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tyrone Thomas)

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Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Staff Sgt. Kevin Tan, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, Kadena Air Base, Japan, attaches a fuel pump to an MC-130J Commando II external fuel tank during a forward area refueling point training as part of exercise Gryphon Jet 21 at Yokota Air Base, March 1, 2021. With FARP capabilities, U.S. Air Force aircraft options are increased, and any accessible landing zone can be used as a refueling point, allowing aircraft to efficiently continue operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tyrone Thomas)

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Yokota Celebrates BSC Airmen

Col. Dean Campbell, 374th Medical Group deputy commander, poses for a photo during Biomedical Sciences Corps week, Jan. 28, 2021, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. BSC officers serve at every level of medical command within military treatment facilities, major commands and forward operating agencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Avallone)

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Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Published March 5, 2021
By Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Yokota Air Base, Japan --

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Kadena, Yokota Airmen enhance aircraft expertise together

Yokota Celebrates BSC Airmen