STS hosts NCOA students

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Frank Gonzales, a combat arms instructor with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, shows students from the Erwin Professional Military Education Center's NCO Academy Class 11-2 how to fire an AT-4 here Feb. 14. The students visited the 320th STS as part of the Erwin PME Center's new program to go to work centers across Kadena and give the students an up-close look at missions performed across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

STS hosts NCOA students

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Jeremy King, a combat controller with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, shows students from the Erwin Professional Military Education Center's NCO Academy Class 11-2 a laser target designator here Feb. 14. The students visited the 320th STS as part of the Erwin PME Center's new program to go to work centers across Kadena and give the students an up-close look at missions performed across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

BATCATS capture Team Kadena awards

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Master Sgt. LaToya Edwards (center), the 320th Special Tactics Squadron first sergeant, poses for a photo with Col. Ricky Rupp (left), the 18th Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. James Davis, the 18th Wing command chief master sergeant, after being named Team Kadena's 2010 First Sergeant of the Year Feb. 5 at the 2010 Team Kadena Annual Awards dinner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lakesha Croley)

Combat Controllers prepare for inspection

OVER IE SHIMA AIRFIELD, Japan -- Combat controllers from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron parachute from a MC-130H Combat Talon II into "hostile" territory Jan. 20 as part of Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise. The team secured the airfield and then controlled the aircraft while it landed at the airfield. Combat Controllers are trained special operations forces and certified FAA air traffic controllers. Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group are participating in the exercise to hone their warfighting skills in preparation for a headquarters inspection next month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)

Veteran's Day Observed at Kadena Air Base

Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron deliver the flag to the Veterans Day observation ceremony after completing a memorial run across Kadena Nov. 11. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Hummel)

STS Airman earns distinguished rescue award

NEAR AN'GANG, Republic of Korea -- Senior Airmen Salvatore Portelli, a pararescueman from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, and a simulated wounded aircrew member are hoisted into a UH-60 Blackhawk from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade from U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys during a combat search and rescue exercise here March 26. The scenario is part of the 353rd Special Operations Group's annual operational readiness exercise. Airman Portelli recently won the Air Rescue Association 2010 Richard T. Kight Award .The award is named in honor of Brig. Gen. Richard T. Kight, the first commander of the Air Rescue Service, and is presented annually to recognize an active duty or reserve component member who has contributed to the overall effectiveness of the rescue mission area through management, innovation or other outstanding achievement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram)