Flying high in Kadena skies

A group of U.S. Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow special operations aircraft from the 17th Special Operations Squadron prepare for a training flight on the flight line of Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 19, 2012. The Combat Shadow flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multi-ship low-level air refueling missions for special operations helicopters, and infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Flying high in Kadena skies

A U.S. Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow special operations aircraft from the 17th Special Operations Squadron taxies on the flight line of Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 19, 2012. The Combat Shadow has supported and participated in numerous evacuations, search, and humanitarian relief operations missions and continues this support today. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Flying high in Kadena skies

A group of U.S. Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow special operations aircraft from the 17th Special Operations Squadron prepare for a training flight on the flight line of Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 19, 2012. The Combat Shadow flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multi-ship low-level air refueling missions for special operations helicopters, and infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Flying high in Kadena skies

A group of U.S. Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow special operations aircraft from the 17th Special Operations Squadron taxi on the flight line of Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 19, 2012. The Combat Shadow flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multi-ship low-level air refueling missions for special operations helicopters, and infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers/Released)

Kadena and Osan units kick off PACIFIC THUNDER

An MC-130P Combat Shadow from the 17th Special Operations Squadron prepares to refuel HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, both stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, as they fly to Osan Air Base Korea for PACIFIC THUNDER Oct. 27. PACIFIC THUNDER is an annual 10-day exercise that takes place Oct. 31- Nov. 9 at Osan Air Base, Korea involving the 33rd Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, and the 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Korea. These units work together to practice Combat Search and Rescue tactics to prepare for real-world emergency situations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Angelique Bilog)

Kadena Airmen train with Thai counterparts

OVER THAILAND --An F-16 from the Royal Thai Air Force lines up to refuel from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 during a training mission here Jan. 31. About 120 Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group and 909th Air Refueling Squadron joined forces with the Royal Thai Air Force in Thailand Jan. 24 to Feb. 4 to train together and share ideas to strengthen ties between the two services. (Courtesy photo)