Final shots of Keen Sword

A formation of ships from the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force cruise in the Pacific Ocean at the conclusion of exercise Keen Sword, which took place Dec. 3-10. Identified as the largest joint, bilateral field training exercise between the two nations in Japan, Keen Sword 11 was designed to allow the two militaries to practice and evaluate the coordination procedures and interoperability elements required to effectively and mutually respond to the defense of Japan, or to a regional crisis or contingency situation in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo)

Keen Sword 2011

Capt. Matt Hepp 14th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot, conducts a preflight inspection prior to taking off for a flying mission over the Sea of Japan, Dec. 7, 2010. More than 160 Airmen from Misawa are deployed to Komatsu Japanese Air Self-Defense Force base Dec. 3 to 11 in support of Keen Sword 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Cammie Quinn)

185th ARS works hand in hand with the 909th during Keen Sword

Lt.Col. Ken Carmichael (left) and Lt. Col. Cam Sanders, both pilots with the 185th Air Refueling Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, Tinker Air Force Base discuss the overall flight plan during the Keen Sword exercise here at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 8. Scheduled for December 3-10, Keen Sword 2011 is the tenth joint-bilateral field training exercise since 1986 involving Japan Self-Defense Forces and United States military forces and will cap the 50th anniversary of the Japan-U.S. alliance as an "alliance of equals". ( U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Lakisha A. Croley)

185th ARS works hand in hand with the 909th during Keen Sword

Technical Sgt. Jess Cox, a boom operator with the 185th Air Refueling Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, Tinker Air Force Base discusses safety procedures to local national media before take-off during the Keen Sword exercise here at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 8. Keen Sword 2011 will include an estimated 10,500 U.S. participants from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Significant training events during Keen Sword 2011 will include integrated air and missile defense, base security and force protection, search and rescue, close air support, live-fire training, and maritime defense and interdiction. ( U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Lakisha A. Croley)

Dec. 7 survivor returns to Pearl Harbor

Delton Walling, a survivor of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, throws flowers overboard the USS Arizona Memorial during the 69th anniversary commemoration Dec. 7, 2010. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss.

SNCO Workshop sheds light on bigger picture

Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Moore speaks to a group of Senior NCOs Dec. 6, 2010, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. A SNCO Workshop provided Eielson's enlisted leaders with a strategic view of the Eielson mission and aimed to improve senior NCO communication. The workshop speakers included the 11th Air Forces Command Chief, 354th Fighter Wing Vice commander, and the 354th FW Command Chief. Chief Moore is the 354th FW command chief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Rachelle Coleman)