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5th Air Force

Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

U.S. Air Force Master Sgts. Travis Dulworth, left, and Michael Brown, right, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmasters, arrange cargo inside of an MC-130J Commando II before a flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Loadmasters are responsible for properly loading, securing and escorting cargo and passengers throughout the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Travis Dulworth, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, communicates with pilots inside of an MC-130J Commando II before a flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Loadmasters conduct pre-flight checks to ensure the safety and operability of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Brown, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, gazes out of an MC-130J Commando II window during a flight off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Crewmembers go over flight plans and their individual roles for a training mission many times, allowing them to be ready for the moment they are called into action. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Brown, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, readies himself for an airdrop during a flight off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Loadmasters have a short window during an airdrop to ensure cargo is safely and efficiently dropped at the target location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

U.S. Air Force Capt. Richard Credicott, 1st Special Operations Squadron pilot, maneuvers an MC-130J Commando II off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Pilots chart a course prior to the flight and receive constant feedback on their current location and where they need to be next. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Travis Dulworth, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, secures parachute rigging after the final airdrop was made during a flight off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Loadmasters maintain a safe and secure environment in the back of the aircraft while pilots in the cockpit focus on flying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60J helicopter assigned to the Air Rescue Wing in Naha participates in a bilateral training exercise held off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. The helicopter received fuel from a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II, assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, during a bilateral training mission between the USAF and JASDF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

The sun sets as U.S. Air Force Capt. Daniel Stein, 1st Special Operations Squadron pilot, monitors the instrument panel during a flight off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. As aircraft commander, it’s Stein’s job to ensure the whole crew executes their roles efficiently and make it back to base safely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Brown, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, watches the sun set from the back of an MC-130J Commando II during a flight off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Training during low visibility conditions ensures Airmen are ready to perform and execute the mission regardless of the time or place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

A U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II, right, conducts air-to-air refueling with a Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60J helicopter assigned to the Air Rescue Wing in Naha, left, off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. The helicopter air-to-air refueling was part of a bilateral training mission between the USAF and JASDF. Bilateral training missions focus on improving the combat readiness of U.S. and allied forces, provide units with training for air expeditionary force tasking, and keep the Indo-Pacific Region safe and secure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

U.S. Air Force Master Sgts. Michael Brown, left, and Travis Dulworth, right, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmasters, signal to a Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60J helicopter assigned to the Air Rescue Wing in Naha during air-to-air refueling off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Conducting the bilateral training mission at night helps the U.S. and allies practice the skills necessary to operate together during any conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Brown, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, signals to a Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60J helicopter assigned to the Air Rescue Wing in Naha during a flight off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. The USAF and JASDF partake in bilateral training missions to keep their forces in sync and ready to face any threat in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

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Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

Published Sept. 30, 2021
By Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --