1st Special Operations Squadron honors STRAY 59

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron pose for a photo in front of an MC-130J Commando II before the annual STRAY 59 memorial flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 26, 2024. The flight honored those who were lost when a 1st SOS MC-130E Combat Talon I, call sign STRAY 59, crashed 43 years ago during an exercise, killing 23 Servicemembers from the U.S., the Philippine Navy, the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, and the New Zealand Special Air Service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

1st Special Operations Squadron honors STRAY 59

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron holds a memorial box before the annual STRAY 59 memorial flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 26, 2024. The memorial box was dropped over the approximate area where an MC-130E assigned to the 1st SOS, call sign STRAY 59, crashed in 1981 during Special Warfare Exercise 81. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

1st Special Operations Squadron honors STRAY 59

U.S. Air Force pilots assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron fly an MC-130J Commando II over the coast of the Philippines during the annual STRAY 59 flight, Feb. 26, 2024. STRAY 59 was a 1st SOS MC-130E Combat Talon I that went down in 1981 over Subic Bay, Philippines, during a training mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

1st Special Operations Squadron honors STRAY 59

A U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron wears a STRAY 59 memorial patch while flying an MC-130J Commando II over the coast of the Philippines, Feb. 26, 2024. The flight honored those who were lost when a 1st SOS MC-130E Combat Talon I, call sign STRAY 59, crashed 43 years ago during an exercise, killing 23 Servicemembers from the U.S., the Philippine Navy, the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, and the New Zealand Special Air Service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

1st Special Operations Squadron honors STRAY 59

U.S. Air Force loadmasters assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron airdrop a memorial wreath over the coast of the Philippines, Feb. 26, 2024. The memorial wreath is dropped over the approximate area where a 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign STRAY 59, crashed in 1981 during Special Warfare Exercise 81. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

1st Special Operations Squadron honors STRAY 59

U.S. Air Force loadmasters assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron prepare to airdrop a memorial wreath over the coast of the Philippines, Feb. 26, 2024. The memorial wreath is dropped over the approximate area where a 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign STRAY 59, crashed in 1981 during Special Warfare Exercise 81. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

1st Special Operations Squadron honors STRAY 59

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron pay their respects at the crash site of STRAY 59 during a memorial flight over the coast of the Philippines, Feb. 26, 2024. The flight honored those who were lost when a 1st SOS MC-130E Combat Talon I, call sign STRAY 59, crashed 43 years ago during an exercise, killing 23 Servicemembers from the U.S., the Philippine Navy, the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, and the New Zealand Special Air Service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

1st Special Operations Squadron honors STRAY 59

Published Feb. 28, 2024
By Senior Airman Yosselin Campos
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --