Group families receive close up look during appreciation day

Family members of Airmen assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group took a closer look at some of the group's operations during a family appreciation day here June 17.Spouses were treated to orientation flights on board a MC-130P Combat Shadow and a MC-130H Combat Talon II, a close-up look at

Japan's Foreign Minister recognizes SOF Airmen for Operation Tomodachi relief efforts

Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs recognized Airmen from the 353rd Special Operation Group and other U.S. service members stationed on Okinawa for relief efforts following the Great East Earthquake of 11 March 2011 during a visit here May 28.Foreign Minister Takeaki MATSUMOTO presented a small

SOG Airmen selected for master sergeant

Air Force officials recently selected 15technical sergeants assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group for promotion to master sergeant May 19.The selectees are: 353rd Special Operations GroupSandie Hedge Scott Seamone 320 Special Tactics SquadronVincent Eckert Kristopher Lankert 353rd Special

AFSOC to Airmen: Use Spice, may lose career

The Air Force began drug testing Airmen Feb. 22 to determine whether they are using Spice -- the street term for a range of designer synthetic-cannabinoid products. The Hurlburt Field and Cannon Air Force Base Drug Demand Reduction office's are in full compliance with the Air Force requirement and

SOG Airman recognized for volunteer support

A fly-away security team leader from the 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron was recognized April 18 for nearly three years of volunteer work supporting Team Kadena events.Brig. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the 18th Wing commander, presented Master Sgt. Jerome Mack the Military Outstanding Volunteer

COMMENTARY - "Thank You" is not necessary; U.S. forces honored to help reopen Sendai

I cannot put into words the carnage left behind by the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent 33-foot tsunami March 11, 2011. More than 300 miles of eastern coastline along Japan's main island of Honshu was destroyed. Some of the most graphic initial images were of Sendai Airport and its nearby cities of

ORI 'Excellent' leads to operational Outstanding

Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group proved they are ready to carry out their mission by earning an overall "Excellent" rating during an operation readiness inspection and immediately deploying to support relief operations on mainland Japan and a Joint Chiefs of Staff exercise in Korea.On

Special Operations Airmen supporting Operation TOMODACHI reposition to Okinawa

Airmen of the 353rd Special Operations Group completed their forward-deployed support of Operation Tomodachi when they returned here April 4 and 5 after nearly three weeks of supporting relief efforts from Yokota Air Base.The Air Commandos of the Pacific received the call to support relief efforts

Airmen continue to support government of Japan

Special ops port dog keeps Operation Tomodachi relief aid flowing at Sendai Airport

A little more than 14 years ago, Tech. Sgt. Michael Fletcher -- an Airman basic at the time -- was lost on the streets of Tokyo. It was the first weekend of his first week at his first assignment, Yokota Air Base. Two Japanese couples saw the confused young Airman and helped him get home. Rather