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5th Air Force

Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft line up on the runway during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Apr. 10, 2024. Directly after, the aircrew launched into a large force exercise to strengthen their readiness to defend Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

Airmen from the 18th Maintenance Group marshal aircraft into position during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Apr. 10, 2024. Directly after, the 18th Wing participated in a large force exercise to strengthen Kadena’s readiness to defend Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft line up on the runway during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Apr. 10, 2024. Directly after, the aircrew launched into a large force exercise to strengthen their readiness to defend Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft line up on the runway during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Apr. 10, 2024. Directly after, the aircrew launched into a large force exercise to strengthen their readiness to defend Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft line up on the runway during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Apr. 10, 2024. Directly after, the aircrew launched into a large force exercise to strengthen their readiness to defend Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft line up on the runway during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Apr. 10, 2024. Directly after, the aircrew launched into a large force exercise to strengthen their readiness to defend Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft line up on the runway during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Apr. 10, 2024. Directly after, the aircrew launched into a large force exercise to strengthen their readiness to defend Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 19th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, approaches a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling during a large force exercise over the Pacific Ocean, April 10, 2024. Aerial refueling capabilities are vital for sustaining long range counter air operations in defense of the Indo-Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

An F-22A Raptor assigned to the 19th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, departs after receiving aerial refueling during a large force exercise over the Pacific Ocean, April 10, 2024. The rotational presence of advanced fighter aircraft in the keystone of the pacific enables the 18th Wing to practice large-scale exercises to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

F-22A Raptors assigned to the 19th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, fly alongside a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during a large force exercise over the Pacific Ocean, April 10, 2024. The rotational presence of advanced fighter aircraft in the keystone of the pacific enables the 18th Wing to practice large-scale exercises to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft line up on the runway during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Apr. 10, 2024. Directly after, the aircrew launched into a large force exercise to strengthen their readiness to defend Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jaden Barton, 199th Fighter Generation Squadron F-22 crew chief, marshals an F-22A Raptor operated by the 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Apr. 10, 2024. The rotational presence of advanced fighter aircraft at Kadena enables us to practice large-scale exercises that keep Kadena ready to defend Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jaden Barton, 199th Fighter Generation Squadron F-22 crew chief, marshals an F-22A Raptor operated by the 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons during an elephant walk at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Apr. 10, 2024. The rotational presence of advanced fighter aircraft at Kadena enables us to practice large-scale exercises that keep Kadena ready to defend Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry from Kadena Air Base’s 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker from 909th Air Refueling Squadron while participating in a large force exercise, Apr. 10, 2024. The exercise, which also featured U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles, F-16C Fighting Falcons, F-35A Lightning IIs, F-22A Raptors, offered Airmen the opportunity to hone their skills to ensure the defense of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry from Kadena Air Base’s 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron approaches the boom of a U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker from 909th Air Refueling Squadron while participating in a large force exercise, Apr. 10, 2024. Aerial refueling provided by Kadena Airmen plays a critical role in enabling air operations across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle from Kadena Air Base’s 67th Fighter Squadron flies off the wing of a U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker from 909th Air Refueling Squadron while participating in a large force exercise, Apr. 10, 2024. Kadena hosts a diverse range of aircraft ready to perform any air combat mission to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

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Team Kadena showcases overwhelming air power in unique display

Published April 11, 2024
By Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy, Staff Sgt. Jessi Roth, Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin, Airman 1st Class Jonathan Sifuentes, Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan. --

The Air Force’s largest combat wing and its mission partners on Kadena Air Base generated an impressive array of some of the most advanced aircraft on earth including F-15C, F-16C, F-22A, F-35A, MQ-9, HH-60G/W, MC-130J, KC-135, P-8, RC-135 and E-3 ready to perform any air combat mission to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. This gathering of air power comes as we welcome our new rotational units, bringing F-16Cs and F-22As to the Keystone of the Pacific, while also saying arigatou and farewell to our F-35As and Air National Guard F-15Cs.