353d Special Operations Wing

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Airmen and Marines carry out survey mission

NATORI, Japan -- Maj. John Traxler (center), 320th Special Tactics Squadron commander, and a joint team of U.S. Air Force and Marine search and rescue specialists photograph the disastrous aftermath near the Sendai Airport here March 13. The images will help them plan future search and rescue missions. The joint team is part of the American disaster relief forces here to assist with Japan's earthquake and tsunami recovery effort. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

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BATCATS deploy additional humanitarian support

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- A fully-loaded MC-130H Combat Talon II from the 1st Special Operations Squadron takes off here March 14 to deliver additional equipment and support forces for the 353rd Special Operations Group forces deployed supporting humanitarian relief efforts at Yokota Air Base. The 353rd SOG now has about 115 Airmen and three aircraft deployed to support the Japanese government in the wake of an earthquake measuring 8.9 in magnitude and the following tsunamis that rocked Japan March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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BATCATS deploy additional humanitarian support

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Jason Lemke, a 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, finalizes load plans on a fully-loaded MC-130H Combat Talon II here March 14. The aircraft is delivering additional equipment and support forces for the 353rd Special Operations Group forces deployed supporting humanitarian relief efforts at Yokota Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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BATCATS deploy additional humanitarian support

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Squadron and 733rd Air Mobility Squadron push a pallet of into a MC-130H Combat Talon II here March 14. The aircraft is delivering additional equipment and support forces for the 353rd Special Operations Group forces deployed supporting humanitarian relief efforts at Yokota Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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BATCATS deploy additional humanitarian support

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group load medical supplies and personal bags into a MC-130H Combat Talon II here March 14. The aircraft is delivering additional equipment and support forces for the 353rd Special Operations Group forces deployed supporting humanitarian relief efforts at Yokota Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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Squadron marks 30 years of honoring fallen comrades

NEAR CAPONES ISLAND, Philippines -- Tech Sgt. Christopher Hughes (left) and Senior Master Sgt. Randy Perreault, both loadmasters with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, prepare to release a wreath in memorial of STRAY 59 while on aboard an MC-130H Combat Talon II Feb. 26. The flight was to honor fallen brethren that were lost 30 years ago when a 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign STRAY 59, crashed during an exercise killing eight crew members and 15 passengers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

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Air Commandos honor fallen comrades with memorial flight

NEAR CAPONES ISLAND, Philippines -- Capt. James Demis (left) and Maj. Darin Wheeler, both pilots with the1st Special Operations Squadron, fly a MC-130H Combat Talon II in route to release a wreath for STRAY 59 Feb. 26. The flight was to honor fallen brethren that were lost 30 years ago when a 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign STRAY 59, crashed during an exercise killing eight crew members and 15 passengers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

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Air Commandos adopt their namesake

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- NCOs from The Erwin Professional Military Education Center's NCO Academy Class 11-2 Air Commando Flight learn the proper way to apply camouflage face paint during a visit to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron. This is the first time the 353rd Special Operations Group has hosted the Air Commando Flight. The group hopes to build a lasting bond with their namesake. (Courtesy photo)

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STS hosts NCOA students

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Frank Gonzales, a combat arms instructor with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, shows students from the Erwin Professional Military Education Center's NCO Academy Class 11-2 how to fire an AT-4 here Feb. 14. The students visited the 320th STS as part of the Erwin PME Center's new program to go to work centers across Kadena and give the students an up-close look at missions performed across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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STS hosts NCOA students

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Jeremy King, a combat controller with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, shows students from the Erwin Professional Military Education Center's NCO Academy Class 11-2 a laser target designator here Feb. 14. The students visited the 320th STS as part of the Erwin PME Center's new program to go to work centers across Kadena and give the students an up-close look at missions performed across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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STS hosts NCOA students

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Airman David Craig, a pararescueman with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, shows an oxygen mask used during high-altitude rescues to students from the Erwin Professional Military Education Center's NCO Academy Class 11-2 here Feb. 14. The students visited the 320th STS as part of the Erwin PME Center's new program to go to work centers across Kadena and give the students an up-close look at missions performed across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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Group honors annual award winners

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron pose for a photo with a 353rd Special Operations Group Squadron of the Year trophy after receiving the honor at the group's 2010 Annual Awards Luncheon here Feb. 10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

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Air Commandos earn outstanding unit award

The 353rd Special Operations Group recently earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service from Oct. 1, 2008 to Sept. 30, 2010.

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BATCATS capture Team Kadena awards

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Master Sgt. Johnny Miller, from the 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron was named Team Kadena's 2010 Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Feb. 5 at the 2010 Team Kadena Annual Awards dinner. (Courtesy photo)

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BATCATS capture Team Kadena awards

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Master Sgt. LaToya Edwards (center), the 320th Special Tactics Squadron first sergeant, poses for a photo with Col. Ricky Rupp (left), the 18th Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. James Davis, the 18th Wing command chief master sergeant, after being named Team Kadena's 2010 First Sergeant of the Year Feb. 5 at the 2010 Team Kadena Annual Awards dinner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lakesha Croley)

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SOG Airmen provide mobile gas station

IE SHIMA AIRFIELD, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Jason Lemke, monitors gauges on a forward area manifold cart connected to a MC-130H Combat Talon II during a refueling mission at a forward area refueling point here Jan. 20 as part of Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise. FARP specialists and loadmasters utilized the cart to transfer fuel from the MC-130H to a U.S. Marine Corps CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter. FARP areas are used to transfer fuel from one aircraft to another in hostile and austere environments. Members of the 353rd SOG are participating in the exercise to hone their warfighting skills in preparation for a headquarters inspection next month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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SOG Airmen provide mobile gas station

IE SHIMA AIRFIELD, Japan -- Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Turner, Tech Sgt. Timothy Rodgers and Senior Airman Seth San Miguel, all from the 353rd Special Operations Group Forward Area Refueling Point Team, refuel a U.S. Marine Corps CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter at a forward area refueling point here Jan. 20 as part of Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise. FARP specialists and loadmasters utilize a forward area manifold cart to transfer fuel from one aircraft to another in hostile and austere environments. Members of the 353rd SOG are participating in the exercise to hone their warfighting skills in preparation for a headquarters inspection next month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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SOG Airmen provide mobile gas station

IE SHIMA AIRFIELD, Japan -- Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Turner, Tech Sgt. Timothy Rodgers and Senior Airman Seth San Miguel, all from the 353rd Special Operations Group Forward Area Refueling Point Team, watch as a U.S. Marine Corps CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter lands at a forward area refueling point here Jan. 20 as part of Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise. FARP specialists and loadmasters utilize a forward area manifold cart to transfer fuel from one aircraft to another in hostile and austere environments. Members of the 353rd SOG are participating in the exercise to hone their warfighting skills in preparation for a headquarters inspection next month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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SOG Airmen provide mobile gas station

IE SHIMA AIRFIELD, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Jason Lemke, reviews a checklist as he monitors gauges on a forward area manifold cart connected to a MC-130H Combat Talon II and a U.S. Marine Corps CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter during a refueling mission at a forward area refueling point here Jan. 20 as part of Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise. FARP specialists and loadmasters utilize a forward area manifold cart to transfer fuel from one aircraft to another in hostile and austere environments. Members of the 353rd SOG are participating in the exercise to hone their warfighting skills in preparation for a headquarters inspection next month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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Combat Controllers prepare for inspection

OVER IE SHIMA AIRFIELD, Japan -- Combat controllers from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron parachute from a MC-130H Combat Talon II into "hostile" territory Jan. 20 as part of Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise. The team secured the airfield and then controlled the aircraft while it landed at the airfield. Combat Controllers are trained special operations forces and certified FAA air traffic controllers. Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group are participating in the exercise to hone their warfighting skills in preparation for a headquarters inspection next month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

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