RADR training with JASDF Published Sept. 6, 2024 By Kohei Sugisawa 35 FWSA/PA MISAWA AIR BASE, Misawa -- The 35th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) conducted a bilateral rapid airfield damage repair (RADR) exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 27, 2024. Rapid airfield damage repair is a multi-staged process that quickly and effectively repairs airfields, allowing for flightline operations to continue in combat or natural disaster situations. This training fostered an environment where U.S. Air Force and JASDF members could learn from one another through sharing best practices, building partnerships and enhancing interoperability. The training included identifying and removing unexploded ordnance (UXO), mapping out damage, repairing the craters and spalls, setting up new airfield lighting, painting the airfield lines, and installing an aircraft arresting system to allow aircrafts to resume flightline operations. “As we continue to deter our adversaries and seek a free and open INDOPACIFIC by training with our JASDF counterparts, we ensure that we can communicate, understand each other’s processes, and synergize if the need should ever arise,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Alexander Manco, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron prime base engineer emergency force manager. “Training events and opportunities like this builds trust and relationships that pays dividends for our continued work not only at Misawa Air Base but in this theater.” This training developed over the years to integrate personnel and processes to reduce risk associated with airfield repair. It is no longer a USAF team or JASDF team, but one team committed to a common goal in repairing our airfield to generate combat airpower. “This is not the first time that we have conducted bilateral training with JASDF,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Derrik Ross, 35th Civil Engineering Squadron section chief of pavements and equipment, “however, this is the first fully integrated command and control RADR training event. We try to conduct this training as often as our missions allow to strengthen our ties and capabilities.” The 35th CES and JASDF will host the Bilateral Live Fire exercise and hope to use this training event to continue to grow interoperability and set the stage as they expand upon their training events, scenarios, and demonstrate the mission readiness capabilities the 35th CES and JASDF engineers. The smooth implementation of the RADR exercise is a symbol of the long-standing relationship of trust ties between the United States and Japan.