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5th Air Force

5th Air Force command visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, center, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Jackson Brown, left, 718th Force Support Squadron food officer in charge, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kiara Napa’a, right, 718th Force Support Squadron Marshall Dining Facility shift leader, pose for a photo at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. During his visit, Rupp conducted quality of life visits and awarded coins to service members from various units across Kadena for their successes and hardwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force 5th Air Force and 18th Wing leadership pose for a photo while U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, center left, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, coins U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Gregory Twigg, center right, 18th Security Forces Squadron flight sergeant, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. During his visit, Rupp conducted quality of life visits and awarded coins to service members from various units across Kadena for their successes and hard work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force 5th Air Force and 18th Wing leadership pose for a photo while U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, center left, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, coins U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dominic Chargualaf, center right, 18th Civil Engineering Squadron battalion chief, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. During his visit, Rupp conducted quality of life visits and awarded coins to service members from various units across Kadena for their successes and hard work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

Mrs. Crystal Calloway, wife of U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Leon Calloway, U.S. Forces Japan senior enlisted leader, congratulates a Kadena Special Olympics medal recipient at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. Roughly 70 athletes competed in a variety of track-and-field events, such as wheelchair events, soccer and basketball competitions, and 30, 50 and 100-meter dashes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, left, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, and Sayaka Higa, right, 18th Wing Public Affairs community engagement chief, converse with Kadena Town Mayor Hiroshi Toyama, center, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. Kadena Special Olympics is a sporting and outreach event providing opportunities for U.S. and Okinawan communities to stand together in support of people with disabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, awards a medal to a Kadena Special Olympic athlete at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. Roughly 70 athletes competed in a variety of track-and-field events, such as wheelchair events, soccer and basketball competitions, and 30, 50 and 100-meter dashes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

Mr. Raymond Greene, U.S. Embassy Japan deputy chief of mission, and a Kadena Special Olympics medal recipient, pose for a photo at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. Roughly 70 athletes competed in a variety of track-and-field events, such as wheelchair events, soccer and basketball competitions, and 30, 50 and 100-meter dashes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, right, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, visits volunteer tents during the Kadena Special Olympics at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. The event's intent was to uphold its purpose of breaking down barriers and bringing athletes, families, friends and volunteers from all over Okinawa together as one team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, right, talks to Kadena Special Olympics volunteers at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. The event's intent was to uphold its purpose of breaking down barriers and bringing athletes, families, friends and volunteers from all over Okinawa together as one team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, recites the athlete's oath during the Kadena Special Olympics opening ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. The KSO is a one-day sporting and entertainment event bringing competition and recognition to Okinawan and American Special Olympics athletes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force 5th Air Force and 18th Wing leaders, and Kadena Town Mayor Hiroshi Toyama, prepare for the athlete’s parade during the Kadena Special Olympics opening ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. The event continues to uphold its purpose of breaking down barriers and bringing athletes, families, friends and volunteers from across Okinawa together as one team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force 5th Air Force and 18th Wing leaders and Mr. Raymond Greene, U.S. Embassy Japan deputy chief of mission, pose for a photo at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 9, 2023. Established by the 18th Wing commander in 1999, Kadena Special Olympics is a sporting and outreach event that provides opportunities for U.S. and Okinawan communities to unify in support of athletes with disabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th Air Force command visits Kadena

Published Dec. 14, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

5th Air Force leadership attended the Kadena Special Olympics and visited various facilities on Kadena. During their visit, they spoke with volunteers, athletes, service members and facility managers to discuss operations and recognize service members for their hard work at Kadena.