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5th Air Force

Opening the Dome on the AWACS

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Fidalgo, 961st Aircraft Maintenance Unit quality insurance inspector, kneels underneath an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft hatch from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. The E-3 provides necessary information for Allied and partner forces to accomplish missions within the physically extensive and strategically complex Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Opening the Dome on the AWACS

U.S. Air Force maintainers assigned to the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron open the bottom hatch of an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron during routine maintenance at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. The 961st AACS is a combat-ready E-3 squadron providing airborne command and control, long-range surveillance, detection and identification information for commanders in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus)

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Opening the Dome on the AWACS

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Swadkins, left, 961st Aircraft Maintenance Unit radar noncommissioned officer in charge, assists U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Fidalgo, 961st AMU quality insurance inspector, during routine maintenance at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. U.S. Airmen across the globe conduct routine training activities to hone technical skills and enhance the base’s operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus)

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Opening the Dome on the AWACS

U.S. Air Force maintainers assigned to the 961st Aircraft Maintenance Unit brief underneath an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron during routine maintenace at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. The 961st AACS is a combat-ready E-3 squadron providing airborne command and control, long-range surveillance, detection and identification information for commanders in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Opening the Dome on the AWACS

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Swadkins, 961st Aircraft Maintenance Unit radar noncommissioned officer in charge, secures himself to a skylift during routine maintenace at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. Routine maintenace is designed to ensure Kadena’s aircraft have the ability to fulfill its operational mission, ensuring the stability and security of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Opening the Dome on the AWACS

U.S. Air Force maintainers assigned to the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron open the bottom hatch of an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron during routine maintenance at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. The E-3 Sentry provides necessary information for partner and Allied Forces to accomplish missions within the physically extensive and strategically complex Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Opening the Dome on the AWACS

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Swadkins, right, 961st Aircraft Maintenance Unit radar noncommissioned officer in charge, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brett Brown, 961st AMU hydraulic systems journeyman, secure themselves to a skylift before starting routine maintenace at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. Routine maintenace ensures Kadena’s aircraft are mission-ready, ensuring the continued stability and security of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus)

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Opening the Dome on the AWACS

U.S. Air Force maintainers assigned to the 961st Aircraft Maintenance Unit conduct routine maintenance on an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. The 961st AACS is a combat-ready E-3 Sentry squadron providing airborne command and control, long-range surveillance, detection and identification information for commanders in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Opening the Dome on the AWACS

U.S. Air Force maintainers assigned to the 961st Aircraft Maintenance Unit brief underneath an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron during routine maintenace at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. The 961st AACS is a combat-ready E-3 squadron providing airborne command and control, long-range surveillance, detection and identification information for commanders in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Opening the Dome on the AWACS

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Swadkins, left, 961st Aircraft Maintenance Unit radar noncommissioned officer in charge, assists U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Fidalgo, 961st AMU quality insurance inspector, during routine maintenace at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. U.S. Air Force maintainers boarded a sky lift in order to conduct the maintenance on the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Opening the Dome on the AWACS

Published Nov. 3, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Edward W. Yankus and Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

U.S. Air Force 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron preform routine maintenance of an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron during routine maintenance