Photo By Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dempsey Cooney, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron lead...... read more read more
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KADENA AIR BASE, Japan - U.S. Air Force Firefighters from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron trained alongside members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Airmen assigned to the 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 28–29, 2026.
The two-day event sharpened combined aircraft rescue and firefighting capabilities while enhancing interoperability between U.S. and Japanese partners. Crews executed joint fire suppression drills, canopy access techniques, and coordinated command and control procedures to strengthen readiness for real-world aircraft emergencies.
“This training is all about compatibility and mission readiness,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jerry Jones, 18th CES noncommissioned officer in charge of training. “By learning how each side operates and communicates, we can respond faster and more effectively when seconds count.”
U.S. Air Force and JASDF Firefighters and Airmen from the 18th EMS exchanged best practices for canopy-cutting and fire suppression, comparing methods to identify efficiencies and improve overall response coordination.
“I learn something new every time we train together,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kamari Robinson, 18th CES driver operator. “These joint exercises give us a better understanding of our mission and how to integrate with our allies in real-world scenarios.”
The live-fire immersion was part of an ongoing bilateral training between the U.S. Air Force and JASDF units designed to enhance emergency preparedness, reinforce shared safety standards, and strengthen combined response capabilities across the Indo-Pacific.
Each joint exercise underscores the strength of the U.S.–Japan alliance and its commitment to safeguarding the Indo-Pacific. Through shared training and seamless cooperation, U.S. Air Force and JASDF firefighters stand ready to respond to any emergency—together—anytime, anywhere.
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2026 01:55 |
| Story ID: | 557277 |
| Location: | KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 9 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Live Fire Immersion strengthens U.S. Air Force, JASDF readiness, by A1C Amy Kelley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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