Kadena Air Base, a critical hub for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, consistently emphasizes readiness through routine exercises designed to prepare its personnel for a range of contingency operations. These exercises, conducted regularly, validate emergency response capabilities and ensure that Airmen are ready for no-notice deployments and real-world scenarios. Recent activities highlight the 18th Wing’s commitment to maintaining a high level of preparedness and its role as the Keystone of the Pacific.
718th FSS Supports Contingency Beddown Operation
On May 7, 2025, members of the 718th Force Support Squadron (FSS) executed a “safe haven” operation during a routine readiness exercise. The exercise involved assembling 72 cots in under an hour to simulate emergency shelter operations. This initiative is part of the 718th FSS’s quarterly readiness plan, which aims to provide immediate shelter for service members and their families when traditional lodging facilities reach maximum capacity during large-scale evacuation events.
Rapid Shelter Support
The “safe haven” operation is designed to ensure timely access to safe, temporary housing during emergencies. Staff Sgt. Eileen Echaluse of the 718th FSS emphasized the importance of providing immediate shelter and stability during chaotic situations, such as typhoons or other emergencies. Airman 1st Class Nadalyia Flores Ahmad, an assignments technician with the 718th FSS, highlighted that these drills keep them ready to act quickly when it truly counts.
Validating Emergency Response
Kadena Air Base regularly schedules readiness exercises to validate emergency response capabilities and prepare Airmen for no-notice contingency operations. These exercises allow the 18th Wing to refine its operational abilities and respond effectively to real-world scenarios.
18th Wing Conducts Emergency Rapid Response Exercise
Prior to the 718th FSS exercise, the 18th Wing conducted an 8-day Emergency Rapid Response Exercise from January 8-15, 2025. This exercise assessed the wing’s capabilities in rapidly deploying forces, sustaining operations under degraded conditions, and enhancing agile combat employment concepts. The goal was to ensure the 18th Wing is prepared for quick-response contingency operations across the Pacific region, contributing to the stability and security of the U.S. and its allies.
Simulating Real-World Contingencies
The exercise simulated real-world contingency operations, including emergency deployment, forward power projection, and tactical combat casualty care. Key areas of focus included deploying personnel to forward operating bases, rapidly transporting equipment, and managing resources under time-sensitive conditions. By simulating these scenarios, the 18th Wing tested its emergency response procedures and identified areas for improvement in its operational workflows.
Demonstrating Operational Readiness
During the initial stage of the exercise, the 18th Wing demonstrated its readiness by simulating the deployment of personnel, cargo, and aircraft in response to a contingency scenario. This phase highlighted the operational speed and logistical capabilities of the base in a crisis.
Versatile Air Fleet and Personnel
The 18th Wing possesses a versatile air fleet that enables it to rapidly project airpower and respond to contingencies across the Pacific. The wing’s personnel, comprising more than 7,500 individuals across five groups (operations, maintenance, mission support, civil engineering, and medical), ensure seamless operations across a wide range of responsibilities. These responsibilities include aircraft maintenance, munitions storage, base operations, civil engineering, and medical care, all of which are vital for sustaining combat airpower and ensuring the well-being of personnel stationed at Kadena.
USAF Expeditionary Center’s Visit
In February 2025, the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center (USAFEC) visited Kadena Air Base as part of a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command immersion. The 733rd Air Mobility Squadron (AMS), a critical component of Kadena, supports the projection of logistics anytime, any place, making Kadena a major hub for USINDOPACOM mobility and logistics. The USAFEC provides direct oversight over the Global Air Mobility Support System, Joint Base installation support, and worldwide contingency response.
Kadena’s Role in Maintaining Stability
Through these routine readiness exercises and evaluations, Kadena Air Base ensures its personnel are well-prepared to respond to a variety of contingencies, contributing significantly to the stability and security of the U.S. and its allies in the Pacific region. The commitment to readiness, combined with a versatile air fleet and dedicated personnel, solidifies Kadena’s position as the Keystone of the Pacific.
