COMMENTARY - "Thank You" is not necessary; U.S. forces honored to help reopen Sendai

I cannot put into words the carnage left behind by the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent 33-foot tsunami March 11, 2011. More than 300 miles of eastern coastline along Japan's main island of Honshu was destroyed. Some of the most graphic initial images were of Sendai Airport and its nearby cities of

ORI 'Excellent' leads to operational Outstanding

Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group proved they are ready to carry out their mission by earning an overall "Excellent" rating during an operation readiness inspection and immediately deploying to support relief operations on mainland Japan and a Joint Chiefs of Staff exercise in Korea.On

Special Operations Airmen supporting Operation TOMODACHI reposition to Okinawa

Airmen of the 353rd Special Operations Group completed their forward-deployed support of Operation Tomodachi when they returned here April 4 and 5 after nearly three weeks of supporting relief efforts from Yokota Air Base.The Air Commandos of the Pacific received the call to support relief efforts

Airmen continue to support government of Japan

Special ops port dog keeps Operation Tomodachi relief aid flowing at Sendai Airport

A little more than 14 years ago, Tech. Sgt. Michael Fletcher -- an Airman basic at the time -- was lost on the streets of Tokyo. It was the first weekend of his first week at his first assignment, Yokota Air Base. Two Japanese couples saw the confused young Airman and helped him get home. Rather

Recovering hope: Airmen help Japanese rebuild Sendai Airport

In the aftermath of the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Sendai Airport was a disaster -- cars littered the runway, debris had piled up inside the terminal, there was no power. Sendai Airport was written off by many as gone forever. That is, until Airmen stationed in Japan arrived there

Message from Ambassador Roos: Helping Our Friend and Ally

John V. Roos, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, released a video March 25 saluting the efforts of the U.S. military in helping Japan recover from the unprecedented disasters in the wake of the March 11 earthquake.Click here or the link on the right to view the video.Here is the transcript of the

Working in the Shadows

Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron work around the clock to ensure MC-130s deployed here from the 353rd Special Operations Group stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, are ready to fly missions supporting Operations Tomodachi.So far, their hard work has paid off. Aircrews

Rebuilding Sendai Airport: a photographic journey

A dedicated team of U.S. and Japanese forces, catalyzed by the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, worked to clear rubble, rebuild and ultimately reopen Sendai Airport.Click here to view the slideshow.

Photo essay: Kadena's rescue team on a mission

Members of the 33rd Rescue Squadron and the 320th Special Tactics Squadron from Kadena Air Base here conduct search operations March 25 in support of Operation Tomodachi.View the slideshow.