320th STS takes on challenge, opens airport to fixed-wing traffic

SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan -- Senior Airman Steven Nizbet, 320th Special Tactics Squadron pararescueman, looks for trapped survivors here March 16. Members of the 320th STS, stationed out of Kadena Air Base, deployed to Sendai Airport to help clear the runway and make it ready for fixed-wing aircraft traffic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

320th STS takes on challenge, opens airport to fixed-wing traffic

MIYAGI PREFECTURE, Japan -- A humvee carrying Airmen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron travels down a Japanese highway towards Sendai Airport here March 16. Members of the 320th STS, stationed out of Kadena Air Base, deployed to Sendai Airport to help clear the runway and make it ready for fixed-wing aircraft traffic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

353rd SOG reestablishes Sendai Airport

SENDAI, Japan -- Members from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron download and upload new gear at Sendai Airport March 16. The crew brought water, food, fuel and other general supplies to the members of the 353rd Special Operations Group at Sendai for search and rescue missions. The 353rd Special Operations Group is establishing a usable runway at Sendai Airport to help with Japan's earthquake and tsunami relief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

353rd SOG reestablishes Sendai Airport

SENDAI, Japan -- Senior Airman Ramon Mortensen, 17th Special Operations Squadron, backs up a pallet of fuel at Sendai Airport March 16. The crew brought water, food, fuel and other general supplies to the members of the 353rd Special Operations Group at Sendai for search and rescue missions. The 353rd Special Operations Group is establishing a usable runway at Sendai Airport to help with Japan's earthquake and tsunami relief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

353rd SOG reestablishes Sendai Airport

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Airman Ramon Mortensen, 17th Special Operations Squadron, converses with pilot about preflight checklist before heading out to Sendai Airport March 16. The crew brought water, food, fuel and other general supplies to the members of the 353rd Special Operations Group at Sendai for search and rescue missions. The 353rd Special Operations Group is establishing a usable runway at Sendai Airport to help with Japan's earthquake and tsunami relief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

353rd SOG reestablishes Sendai Airport

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Master Sgt. Mike Milich and Senior Airman Ramon Mortensen both from the 17th Special Operations Squadron, pull supplies on board a MC-130P prior to heading out to Sendai Airport March 16. The crew brought water, food, fuel and other general supplies to the members of the 353rd Special Operations Group at Sendai for search and rescue missions. The 353rd Special Operations Group is establishing a usable runway at Sendai Airport to help with Japan's earthquake and tsunami relief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)