Photo By Tech. Sgt. Sean Madden | A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter assigned to the 106th Rescue...... read more read more
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – U.S. Air National Guard rescue units from Alaska, California and New York deployed approximately 150 Airmen with five aircraft, to provide real-world rescue capability in support of exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025 in Misawa, Japan, July 10 - 29, 2025.
Exercise REFORPAC 25 is the largest Air Force contingency-response exercise ever, in the Pacific. It is a first-in-a-generation series of exercises encompassing all branches of the Department of Defense, employing approximately 400 joint and coalition aircraft with more than 12,000 personnel at over 50 locations across 3,000 miles.
The U.S. Pacific Air Force requested ANG rescue units be in place and ready to perform real-world search and rescue should an incident occur during the exercise, said Maj. Tia Beck, director of operations for the 106th Logistics Readiness Squadron, adding that the Air Force is the most highly trained and capable to perform personnel recovery.
Air National Guard units contributing to the rescue mission at Misawa AB, were from the triad of Air National Guard Rescue units: the 106th Rescue Wing of the New York ANG, the 129th RQW from the California ANG, and the 176th Wing from the Alaska ANG, with additional assistance from the 150th Special Operations Wing, New Mexico ANG.
“Working with multiple organizations and the end result being the ability for us to be able to work together to come to a common goal is significant,” said Maj. Patrick Osahor, an HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter rescue pilot assigned to the 106th RQW. “The more we can do these types of exercises and get this level of integration, the better prepared the squadron will be to execute in any environment in the future.”
Pararescuemen from Alaska integrated with New York helicopter rescue crews operating their HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopters. Two HC-130J Combat King II rescue aircraft from California and New York and their crews, provided search and rescue and aerial refueling support.
“It's a really cool experience getting to integrate with the New York team, with the California team, and just see the level of professionalism across the board,” said Staff Sgt. Cash Cutsforth, a pararescueman with the 212th RS assigned to the Alaska ANG.
Cutsforth explained, the rescue element is the 9-1-1 call for the area and would be going to pick up any pilots and crews, in the event of a real-world incident.
“The standard in rescue seems to be the same anywhere you go,” Cutsforth said. “I was very excited to work with New York helicopters; it's a new type of helicopter. We had never worked on it before, so it's a great experience.”
Aircraft maintainers from California and New York were also on scene providing routine and contingency maintenance with 24-hour support capabilities alongside multiple supporting personnel including, but not limited to flight operations, communications, intelligence and logistics.
For some, the exercise helped to provide a new experience and larger perspective of the Air Force.
“This being my first TDY, I think I've experienced a lot,” said Airman 1st Class Adam Singh, a system aviation resource manager assigned to the California ANG. “I think this is a great experience, not only because I get to see real-world missions happen, but I also get to see how the Air Force as a whole functions.”
The size and scope of REFORPAC 25, as well as the complexity of real-world rescue planning and operations were challenges the ANG worked through to accomplish the mission.
“I've been very impressed with the professionalism that I've seen,” said Beck. “That we're able to actually get over here on the other side of the world and still do our mission safely and efficiently, I think that's a win.”
Exercise REFORPAC demonstrates U.S. commitment to the region by building interoperability, multilateral cooperative arrangements with our allies and partners, advancing common interests, and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The intent is to enhance interoperability, strengthen our militaries, and demonstrate a collective commitment to maintaining regional stability.
Air National Guard rescue operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft, and HH-60, “G” Pave Hawk and “W” Jolly Green II, rescue helicopters. Air National Guard Rescue units are home to special warfare squadrons with pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, specializing in rescue and recovery, and deploys for domestic and overseas operations. These things we do, that others may live.
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2025 15:12 |
| Story ID: | 545151 |
| Location: | MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Air National Guard Provides Rescue Assets During Historic Pacific Exercise, by TSgt Sean Madden, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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