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KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – The 18th Wing partnered with Chatan Town to practice disaster evacuation procedures at Kadena, Sept. 20, 2025. Members of Chatan communities practiced walking the official evacuation route through the air base from Kadena Gate 1 to a park on the installation to simulate what would occur during a real-world tsunami warning.
The west side of Chatan Town borders the Pacific Ocean, offering beautiful coastal views and marine activities that families enjoy safely year-round. However, it is also an area at risk of damage during seasonal harsh weather conditions like tsunamis.
Natural disasters are an ever-present potential crisis within the Indo-Pacific region. Conducting training exercises ensures Kadena’s readiness and identifies any possible challenges to improve upon so that when the time comes, lives can be saved.
One such example was the successful, real-world tsunami evacuation that occurred in 2024 and led to Gate 1 being opened to usher in locals seeking safety.
“When the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory, Kadena Air
Base promptly opened its gates, making a tremendous contribution to ensuring the safety
of our residents,” said Mr. Masashi Toguchi, Chatan Town mayor. “I believe that such swift action was only possible thanks to our ongoing training and coordination efforts.”
The 18th Wing leadership team is extremely aware of Chatan Town’s situation, located between Kadena Air Base and the ocean, and is committed to working alongside the local community to ensure that all residents have a route to safety in the event of a tsunami.
“For two years in a row now, a real warning or advisory has been issued, and both
communities have been ready to respond,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Robinson Mata, 18th Mission Support Group commander, “We will continue to refine our processes and practices to ensure our communities have safe and expedient measures to get to higher ground.”
As part of mutual aid agreements with the local community, Chatan Town residents are encouraged and permitted to travel through Kadena Air Base Gate 1 and exit through Gate 5, in the case that it's the shortest route to higher ground.
“On behalf of Chatan Town, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the 18th Wing commander Brig. Gen. Gallemore and all those involved,” said Toguchi.
Events like this help bridge cultural gaps and strengthen the bond between U.S. service members and the local Japanese community. They also reflect the broader commitment to maintaining strong U.S.-Japan relations and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 09.20.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2025 01:41 |
| Story ID: | 548841 |
| Location: | KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 66 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Steps to safety: Kadena and Chatan Town partner for tsunami readiness, by SrA Luis E. Rios Calderon, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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