Air Commandos hone skills during readiness exercise

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Jason Gossett (back) and Airman 1st Class David Rodriguez (right) assist Staff Sgt. Orlando Lopez with donning his Aircrew Eye and Respiratory Protection System, or AERPS, during a local operational readiness exercise here Oct 26. The AERPS is an aircraft-integrated, self-contained oxygen and filtration system with aircraft-integrated electronics, communications and oxygen capabilities which allows the crews to continue their mission in a chemical warfare environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

Air Commandos hone skills during readiness exercise

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Tech. Sgt. Aaron Kay, a loadmaster with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, and maintainers from the 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron monitor the engine start of a MC-130H Combat Talon II during a local operational readiness exercise here Oct 26. Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group honed their wartime readiness during exercise Beverly High 12-1 Oct. 24-28 (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

Air Commandos hone skills during readiness exercise

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Christopher Cebelak , 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, reports contamination findings during a post-attack reconnaissance sweep outside a facility following a simulated attack during a local operational readiness exercise here Oct 27. Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group honed their wartime readiness during exercise Beverly High 12-1 Oct. 24-28 (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

Maintenance key to success during exercise

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman 1st Class Jeremiah Dobson, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, salutes the aircraft commander of a MC-130H Combat Talon II prior to takeoff during a local operational readiness exercise here Oct 26. Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group honed their wartime readiness during exercise Beverly High 12-1 Oct. 24-28 (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

Maintenance key to success during exercise

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Maintainers from the 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron guide the refueling hose into its pod after maintenance on a MC-130P Combat Shadow during a local operational readiness exercise here Oct 26. Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group honed their wartime readiness during exercise Beverly High 12-1 Oct. 24-28 (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

New leader takes command of Pacific Air Commandos in spite of typhoon evacuation

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Col. Robert Toth, the previous 353rd Special Operations Group commander, addresses the Pacific Air Commandos and other guests shortly after relinquishing command during a ceremony here Aug. 5. The ceremony was held at the Officers' Club here two days after Airmen and aircraft evacuated Kadena Air Base for Typhoon Mufia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sam Morse)