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5th Air Force

5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

Service members with 18th Wing Public Affairs, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 33rd Rescue Squadron pose for a photo at a coining ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 19, 2024. The Airmen and their supervisors were recognized for their hard work, dedication and perseverance in their everyday mission at the 18th Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

U.S. Air Force Capt. Miguel Molas, 319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron instructor pilot, briefs 18th Wing and Fifth Air Force leadership at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2024. During the visit, Fifth Air Force leadership toured an MQ-9 Reaper and discussed the importance of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in the Indo-Pacific theater and the challenges the 319th ERS faces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

U.S. Air Force Capt. Danielle James, left, 18th Healthcare Operations Squadron neonatal intensive care transport nurse, and U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Shane Schwartz, center left, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron test measurement diagnostic equipment technician, speak with U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, center right, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, and U.S. Air Force Col. Nicholas Evans 18th Wing commander, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2024. During his visit, Rupp toured a KC-135 Stratotanker and discussed the importance of aeromedical evacuation capabilities in the Indo-Pacific theater and the challenges that the 18th HCOS faces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Collins, center left, Defense Health Agency noncommissioned officer in charge of respiratory, briefs U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, right, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2024. Rupp's visit provided U.S. Air Force leadership from across Japan with a forum to discuss military quality of life issues, the global security environment, and increasing threats throughout the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Clark, Fifth Air Force director of intelligence, prepares to board an HH-60G Pavehawk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2024. During the visit, Fifth Air Force leadership accompanied a crew assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron on an E-3 Sentry and a crew with the 33rd Rescue Squadron on an HH-60G Pavehawk for mission immersion flights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, right, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Croft, left, 18th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, conduct pre-flight safety preparations at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2024. During his visit, Rupp accompanied a crew assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron on an E-3 Sentry and a crew with the 33rd Rescue Squadron on an HH-60G Pavehawk for mission immersion flights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

A U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron conducts a patient rescue demonstration with the 31st Rescue Squadron over the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa, Japan, during a Fifth Air Force mission immersion event as part at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2024. The visit was part of a mission immersion event that gave him a firsthand account of how the 33rd and 31st RS conduct their operations and how their mission helps maintain the stability of the Indo-Pacific Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, poses for a group photo alongside 18th Wing Airmen he coined during his visit at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 17, 2024. Rupp's visit helped provide U.S. Air Force leadership from across Japan with a forum to discuss military quality of life issues, the global security environment and increasing threats throughout the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christopher Burkins, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron electrical and environmental journeyman, marshalls an E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron during a mission immersion flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 17, 2024. The E-3 radar systems provide necessary information for friendly forces to accomplish missions within the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, shakes hands with U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Thomas Credit, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron section chief at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 17, 2024. The flight helped Rupp experience the operational responsibilities of the 961st airborne early warning and control system and how their mission helps maintain the stability of the Indo-Pacific Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brad Shadron, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron flight engineer, conducts pre-flight checks on an E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 17, 2024. Air crew perform pre-flight checks to maintain combat readiness, ensure the safety of the flight crew, and support mission success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon)

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5th AF holds Commander’s Conference at Kadena

Published Jan. 23, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes and Airman 1st Class Luis E. Rios Calderon
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

The Commanders Conference brought together leadership teams across affiliated installations to receive 5ht AF guidance, provide feedback, and situation awareness up the chain, and shared challenges and opportunities. The visit also provided U.S. Air Force leadership with a forum to discuss military quality of life issues, the global security environment, and increasing threats throughout the Pacific theater.