"Just a nice Picture...!" It shows how things have changed for Kadena the past few years (See 1*, 2* and 3*).

 

At the beginning of May 2025, the 18th Wing conducted a four-day routine readiness exercise to equip Airmen with 4th Gen and 5th Gen fighter aircraft  at Kadena Air Base (Japan), including cutting-edge capabilities and new operational concepts.

 

With only HH-60Ws as own asset, the 18th Wing executed a large-scale demonstration known as an “Elephant Walk,” in which more than 50 assets from the USAF, US Navy  and US Army came together to strengthen joint integration and maximise air and maritime lethality in a demonstration of combat power and regional deterrence.

 

The formation featured various advanced platforms, including 24 USAF F-35A Lightning IIs, eight F-15E Strike Eagles, six HH-60W Jolly Green IIs, two MQ-9 Reapers, two MC-130J Commando IIs, six KC-135R Stratotankers, one RC-135V/W Rivet Joint, one E-3G Sentry, two US Navy EA-18G Growlers, one P-8A Poseidon, and two US Army MIM-104 Patriot systems.

 

In due time, Kadena, "The Keystone to the Pacific", will have more own assets to carry out an "Elephant Walk" (See 4*).