Squadron named Kadena's volunteer unit of the year

UDON THANI, Thailand -- Capt. James Demis, a pilot with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, laughs as he dances with children during a visit to the Songtam Witthaya School here Jan. 31. Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group joined Royal Thai Air Force members on a visit to the school to donate school supplies and sporting goods. During the visit, children from the school treated the U.S. and Royal Thai Air Force members to musical performances and dances. (Courtesy photo)

Squadron named Kadena's volunteer unit of the year

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Lt. Col. Richard Carrell (right), the 1st Special Operations Squadron operations officer, poses for a photo with Brig. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the 18th Wing commander, after being presented Team Kadena's 2010 Angel Award for the Volunteer Unit of the Year at the Kadena Annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony here April 18. The 1st supported the Misato Children's Home and multiple orphanages throughout the local community and across the Pacific Theater in 2010 supporting more than 500 children -- nearly 10 times the size of the unit of roughly 50 people. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke Beers)

Special Operations Airmen supporting Operation TOMODACHI reposition to Okinawa

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Airmen Jacob Moeller, an 17th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, guides a forklift to offload a pallet from a MC-130P Combat Shadow here April 4. About 100 Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group and 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron returned as Airmen repositioned here after supporting Operation Tomodachi from Yokota Air Base for nearly three weeks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

Airmen continue to support government of Japan

SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan -- Senior Airman J.T. Mills (left) and Senior Airman Jed Bilibei, 17th Special Operations Squadron loadmasters from Kadena Air Base, prepare to load flood lights onto a MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft at Sendai Airport April 3. U.S. forces remain focused to help support the Japanese during relief efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kimberly Spinner)

Airmen continue to support government of Japan

SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan -- Members from the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron from Yokota Air Base and 17th Special Operations Squadron from Kadena Air Base work to load equipment onto an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft at Sendai Airport April 3. U.S. forces have assisted the Japanese with relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami that struck March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kimberly Spinner)

Airmen continue to support government of Japan

SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan -- Members from the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron from Yokota Air Base and 17th Special Operations Squadron from Kadena Air Base work to load equipment onto an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft at Sendai Airport April 3. U.S. forces have assisted the Japanese with relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami that struck March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kimberly Spinner)