320th STS takes on challenge, opens airport to fixed-wing traffic

SENDAI AIRPORT, Japan -- Senior Airman Steven Nizbet, 320th Special Tactics Squadron pararescueman, looks for trapped survivors here March 16. Members of the 320th STS, stationed out of Kadena Air Base, deployed to Sendai Airport to help clear the runway and make it ready for fixed-wing aircraft traffic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

320th STS takes on challenge, opens airport to fixed-wing traffic

MIYAGI PREFECTURE, Japan -- A humvee carrying Airmen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron travels down a Japanese highway towards Sendai Airport here March 16. Members of the 320th STS, stationed out of Kadena Air Base, deployed to Sendai Airport to help clear the runway and make it ready for fixed-wing aircraft traffic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

First fixed-wing aircraft since quake lands at Sendai Airport

A U.S. Air Force MC-130H Combat Talon II lands at Sendai Airport, Japan on March 16, 2011. This is the first fixed-wing aircraft to land at the airport since an earthquake and tsunami crippled much of the Japanese eastern seaboard March 11. A team of specialists from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron out of Kadena Air Base, along with Japanese emergency management organizations, cleared a section of the runway and re-established control tower capabilities, enabling direct flights in and out of the airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

First fixed-wing aircraft since quake lands at Sendai Airport

Airmen unload supplies and a forklift from a MC-130H Combat Talon II, at Sendai Airport, Japan on March 16, 2011. This is the first fixed-wing aircraft to land at the airport since an earthquake and tsunami crippled much of the Japanese eastern seaboard March 11. The opening of this runway to fixed-wing aircraft by the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and Japanese emergency management organizations provides a critical means of transporting fuel, equipment, food and other supplies to areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

353rd SOG reestablishes Sendai Airport

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Maj. Kerry Redman, 17th Special Operations Squadron, flies toward Sendai Airport to drop off supplies March 16. The crew brought water, food, fuel and other general supplies to the members of the 353rd Special Operations Group at Sendai for search and rescue missions. The 353rd Special Operations Group is establishing a usable runway at Sendai Airport to help with Japan's earthquake and tsunami relief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

353rd SOG reestablishes Sendai Airport

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Bradley Collier and Staff Sgt. Amber Anderson both from the 374 Logistics Readiness Squadron, drive toward an MC-130P. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)