353rd Special Operations Wing

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Anytime, Anywhere: Gryphon Pacific 20-1 challenges Special Operators

Forward Area Refueling Point Airmen temporarily assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, and Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element team members, exit an MC-130J Commando II aircraft while supporting the 353rd Special Operations Group, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. The DAGRE and FARP operations are an essential part of the expeditionary basing concept. Special operators are able to go anywhere and establish an airfield in order to bring in forces, refuel, rearm, and continue the mission wherever it’s needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Anytime, Anywhere: Gryphon Pacific 20-1 challenges Special Operators

Forward Area Refueling Point Airmen temporarily assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, discuss mission objectives while supporting the 353rd Special Operations Group during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. Under the cover of darkness, the FARP team performed operations on Wake Island, Wake Atoll, while Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element team members and special operations team members assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces on both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Anytime, Anywhere: Gryphon Pacific 20-1 challenges Special Operators

Forward Air Refueling Point Airmen assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, perform refueling operations on Wake Island, Wake Atoll, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. The Airmen were attached to the 353rd Special Operations Squadron during the exercise. The purpose of Gryphon Pacific 20-1 was to employ lethal, agile, resilient forces throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. This was accomplished by conducting long-range expeditionary basing operations within a high-threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Anytime, Anywhere: Gryphon Pacific 20-1 challenges Special Operators

An Airman assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, overlooks the ocean near Wake Island, Wake Atoll, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. Two MC-130J Commando II aircraft with Global Access Special Tactics teams onboard rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Anytime, Anywhere: Gryphon Pacific 20-1 challenges Special Operators

Special tactics airmen assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron sit on the ramp of an MC-130J Commando II from the 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1. A Global Access Special Tactics team from the 320th STS conducted a military freefall jump to seize, establish and control Wake Island Airfield. The 320th Special Tactics Squadron employs special tactics operators capable of conducting global access, precision strike, and personnel recovery operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton) (This photo has been altered for operational security purposes by blurring out faces.)

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Anytime, Anywhere: Gryphon Pacific 20-1 challenges Special Operators

A pilot flying an MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, completes refueling operations with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, KAB, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean. Aerial refueling in order to expedite the operational timeline was essential to ensuring success during the exercise. Launching from Guam, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft with Global Access Special Tactics teams onboard rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Anytime, Anywhere: Gryphon Pacific 20-1 challenges Special Operators

A pilot from the 17th Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, flying an MC-130J Commando II, performs refueling operations with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1. Kadena AB is home to both the 353rd SOG and 18th Wing, which participated in the long-range expeditionary basing exercise. As the largest U.S. installation within the Asia-Pacific region, Team Kadena provides a forward power projection platform while employing lethal, agile, resilient forces for contingency operations throughout the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Anytime, Anywhere: Gryphon Pacific 20-1 challenges Special Operators

A pilot assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, prepares an MC-130J Commando II for aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean. The 909th ARS performed refueling operations for 353rd SOG aircraft in order to facilitate long-range infiltration into Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Anytime, Anywhere: Gryphon Pacific 20-1 challenges Special Operators

Aircrew assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, fly an MC-130J Commando II over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. Launching from Guam, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft with Global Access Special Tactics teams onboard rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. These special operations missions demonstrate the 353rd SOG’s ability to deploy forces anytime, anyplace throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton) (This photo has been altered for operational security purposes by blurring out an aircrew member's face.)

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Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1

Airmen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron perform a night jump above Wake Island, Wake Atoll, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean. Launching from Guam, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft with Global Access Special Tactics teams onboard rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. These special operations missions demonstrate the 353rd SOG’s ability to deploy forces anytime, anyplace throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1

A 320th Special Tactics Squadron jumpmaster overlooks Wake Island, Wake Atoll, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean. A Global Access Special Tactics team from the 320th STS conducted a military freefall jump to seize, establish, and control Wake Island Airfield. The 320th Special Tactics Squadron employs Special Tactics Operators capable of conducting Global Access, Precision Strike, and Personnel Recovery Operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1

Forward Area Refueling Point Airmen temporarily assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, point toward mission objectives supporting the 353rd Special Operations Group during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. FARP operations are an essential part of the expeditionary basing concept. Special operators use the ability to go anywhere and establish an airfield in order to bring in forces, refuel, rearm, and continue the mission wherever it’s needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1

Forward Air Refueling Point Airmen assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, perform refueling operations on Wake Island, Wake Atoll, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. The Airmen were attached to the 353rd Special Operations Squadron during the exercise. The purpose of Gryphon Pacific 20-1 was to employ lethal, agile, resilient forces throughout the United States Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. This was accomplished by conducting long-range expeditionary basing operations within a high threat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1

Airmen assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron jump from a 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II during military freefall training at Kwajalein Atoll Nov. 16, 2019. The jump training was an essential part of Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1. The 353rd SOG Airmen conducted additional proficiency training to capitalize on the opportunity to hone military freefall jump capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1

Aircrew assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, prepare their MC-130J Commando II for aerial refueling with fellow Team Kadena members flying a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019, over the Pacific Ocean. The 909th ARS performed refueling operations for 353rd SOG aircraft in order to facilitate long range infiltration into Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sutton)

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191104-F-GX249-0068

Members from 18th Wing Public Affairs and Twitter Tour visitors pose for a photo in front of an MC-130J Commando II on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 4, 2019. During the tour, visitors learned about the 18th Wing mission, security forces partnerships with the Okinawa Prefectural Police, how the base maintains good stewardship of the environment, and Kadena-based aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Raughton)

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191104-F-GX249-0069

Airmen from the 18th Wing talk and have lunch with Twitter Tour participants at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 4, 2019. The participants were selected based on when they subscribed to the 18th Wing Twitter page and a brief application process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft)

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191104-F-GX249-0059

Members from 18th Wing Public Affairs and Twitter Tour visitors pose for a photo in front of the Exchange on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 4, 2019. During the tour, visitors learned about the 18th Wing misison, security forces partnerships with the Okinawa Prefectural Police, how the base maintains good stewardship of the environment, and Kadena-based aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Raughton)

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191104-F-GX249-0036

Kazunori Uehara, Twitter Tour visitor, drives a go-cart while wearing drunk goggles during a drunken driving prevention demonstration at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 4, 2019. Uehara was given drunk goggles to simulate driving under the influence of alcohol. Other demonstrations included using beer and mouthwash to show alcohol's effect on a breathalyzer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Raughton)

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191104-F-GX249-0027

18th Security Forces Squadron defenders and members of Okinawa Prefectural Police perform a demonstration for visitors hosted by 18th Wing Public Affairs during the Twitter Tour at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 4, 2019. The defenders and local police described how they work together to handle and prevent drunken driving incidents. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Raughton)

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