Human Performance Training Center

Tech. Sgt. Joshua Brown and Capt. Jonathan Shamess, 320th Special Tactics Squadron, works out outside the Human Performance Training Center, during squadron physical training March 22 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The HPTC houses the human performance program, which focuses on not only strengthening the battlefield Airman physically, but also rehabilitating the individual ensuring the Air Force’s human weapons system is performing to its maximum potential for as long as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kristine Dreyer)

Human Performance Training Center

Staff Sgt. Patrick Harrington, 320th Special Tactics Squadron, works out in the Human Performance Training Center, during squadron physical training March 22 at Kadena Air Base. The HPTC houses the human performance program, which focuses on not only strengthening the battlefield Airman physically, but also rehabilitating the individual ensuring the Air Force’s human weapons system is performing to its maximum potential for as long as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kristine Dreyer)

Recovering hope

SENDAI, Japan -- Tech Sgt. Denis Bryant (left) and Staff Sgt. Chris Sefton review aircraft landing schedules March 29, 2011. The Airmen forward deployed to Sendai Airport to help the Japanese recover and rebuild in the wake of the March 11 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami. Sergeant Bryant is an air transportation craftsman from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Sergeant Sefton is a ground radio technician from Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski)

Recovering hope

SENDAI, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Chris Sefton reviews aircraft landing schedules March 29, 2011. A team of 20 Airmen forward deployed to Sendai Airport to help the Japanese recover and rebuild in the wake of the March 11 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami. Sergeant Sefton is a ground radio technician with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski)

Rebuilding Sendai: a photographic journey

Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron shovel mud and silt off the main apron at Sendai Airport March 16. The Airmen of the 320th STS did their part to help clear the flightline, even if it meant using their own two hands. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Rebuilding Sendai: a photographic journey

A member of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron sets up a satellite link for communications at Sendai Airport March 16. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Rebuilding Sendai: a photographic journey

Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron arrive at Sendai Airport March 16 and begin to assess the damage and what they can do to help. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

353rd SOG manages airfield, supplies Operation Tomodachi

The 320th Special Tactics Squadron airfield commander monitors the offloading of a C-17 Globemaster III at Sendai Airport, Japan, March 20. This was the first C-17 to land at Sendai Airport following the devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that occurred March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

353rd SOG manages airfield, supplies Operation Tomodachi

Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group from Kadena Air Base, Japan, manage the communications room at Sendai Airport March 20. The 320th Special Tactics Squadron set up the communications room to maintain contact with other Operation Tomodachi units via conventional computer, radio and defense switched network methods. The 320th STS is supporting U.S. military efforts to provide assistance to Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Special ops group resupplies Sendai

Maj. John Traxler (left), 320th Special Tactics Squadron commander, talks with members of his unit at Sendai Airport, Japan, March 19. The 320th STS currently manages the flightline at Sendai Airport, which was damaged after a March 11 earthquake and tsunami. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Special ops group resupplies Sendai

Maj. John Traxler, 320th Special Tactics Squadron commander, boards an MC-130P Combat Shadow bound for Sendai Airport from Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 19 as part of Operation Tomodachi. The 320th STS is supporting U.S. military efforts to provide assistance to Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Humanitarian relief supplies arrive at Sendai Airport

SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan -- Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group from Kadena Air Base, Japan, unload the first pallet of humanitarian aid from the first C-17 Globemaster II here March 20. Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron from Kadena Air Base, Japan, reopened the runway to fixed-wing aircraft March 16 and cleared the rest of the runway to accommodate larger aircraft such as the C-17, enabling larger shipments of humanitarian aid to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

320th STS, ready to fly anytime, anywhere

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- A member of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron from Kadena Air Base, Japan, walks across the flightline to board an HH-60G Pave Hawk here March 15. The 320th STS has combat controllers, pararescuemen and special operations weather teams to go anywhere and set up forward operating locations and impromptu runways. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

320th STS, ready to fly anytime, anywhere

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- An HH-60G Pave Hawk flies over the Japanese countryside carrying members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron from Kadena Air Base March 15. The 320th STS has combat controllers, pararescuemen and special operations weather teams to go anywhere and set up forward operating locations and impromptu runways. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

SOG Airmen open two strategic runways for relief operations

SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Christopher Allen, a special operations weather specialist from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, scans the airfield here prior to conducting a weather observation here March 16. Sudden snow and low visibility threatened to prevent aircraft from landing at the airfield. A team from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron out of Kadena Air Base, along with Japanese emergency management organizations, cleared a section of the runway and re-established the control tower to direct flights in and out of the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

SOG Airmen open two strategic runways for relief operations

SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan -- Combat controllers from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron begin measuring the runway dimensions and conducting a detailed survey here March 16. A team of combat controllers from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron out of Kadena Air Base, along with Japanese emergency management organizations, cleared a section of the runway and re-established the control tower to direct flights in and out of the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

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

SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan -- A combat controller with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron marshals an MC-130H Combat Talon II after a successful landing 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

SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Chris Allen, 320th Special Tactics Squadron special operations weather team, checks the windspeed and temperature here March 16. Sudden snow and low visibility threatened to prevent aircraft from landing at the airfield. (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)

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

MATSUSHIMA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron exit an MC-130P Combat Shadow on their way to 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)

PJs plan for possible rescue mission

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Pararescuemen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron organize before a possible rescue mission here March 14. The Airmen are part of the 353rd Special Operations Group deployed force supporting the Japanese government with relief efforts in the wake of an earthquake measuring 8.9 in magnitude and the following tsunamis that rocked Japan March 11. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patricia D. Lockhart)

Airmen and Marines carry out survey mission

YAMAGATA, Japan -- Maj. Tom Gilley (left), Maj. John Traxler (center) and Lt. Col. Steve Goodman discuss the possibility of using Yamagata Airfield as a fuel staging area here March 13. The area would be used to refuel aircraft assisting with Japan's earthquake and tsunami recovery efforts. 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)

Airmen and Marines carry out survey mission

NATORI, Japan -- A joint team of U.S. Air Force and Marine search and rescue look over the disastrous after-math of Sendai Airport here March 13. They are part of the American disaster relief forces here to assist with Japan's earthquake and tsunami recovery effort. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Airmen and Marines carry out survey mission

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airlift leadership and a joint team of U.S. Air Force and Marine search and rescue members, prepare to board an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the 33rd Rescue Squadron here March 13. Yokota is receiving personnel, aircraft and supplies to support search and rescue efforts as requested by the government of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)