Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Caleb Williams, assigned to the 18th Operations Support Squadron as Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist, performs a communications check aboard a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron (RQS) during exercise Keen Sword 17, Nov. 4, 2016, near Okinawa, Japan. During the training, members of the 33rd RQS practiced recovery operations for a simulated downed pilot in a hostile environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawks assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron fly in formation with an MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron during exercise Keen Sword 17, Nov. 4, 2016, near Okinawa, Japan. Air Force rescue squadrons frequently train on a multitude of scenarios in order to stay prepared for potential real-world contingencies and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Vincent Hnat, assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron (RQS) as a special mission aviator, communicates with aircrew on a MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron near Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 4, 2016 . During the training, members of the 33rd RQS performed an array of maneuvers and procedures to include helocasting, a simulated downed pilot in a hostile environment and helicopter air-to-air refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Lopez, assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron (RQS) as a pararescueman, scans the ocean during a training flight on an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd RQS, Nov. 4, 2016, near Okinawa, Japan. During the training, members of the 33rd RQS practiced recovery operations for a simulated downed pilot in a hostile environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Lopez, assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron (RQS) as a pararescueman, performs a communications check aboard a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd RQS during exercise Keen Sword 17, Nov. 4, 2016, near Okinawa, Japan. During the training, members of the 33rd RQS practiced recovery operations for a simulated downed pilot in a hostile environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron prepares to perform in-flight refueling with a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron Nov. 4, 2016, off the coast of near Okinawa, Japan, during exercise Keen Sword 17. The fundamental role of U.S. forces in Japan is to deter aggression and maintain peace and security in the region, and is an essential component of the U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

The U.S. Air Force has used Pave Hawks since 1982 in an array of combat and humanitarian search and rescue operations. Rescue squadrons frequently train on a multitude of scenarios in order to stay prepared for potential real-world contingencies and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

A U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron (RQS) performs in-flight refueling with a MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron during a training exercise Nov. 4, 2016, near Okinawa, Japan. The 33rd RQS performs military personnel recovery, civil search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Vincent Hnat, assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron (RQS) as a special mission aviator, scans his surroundings aboard a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter Nov. 4, 2016, near Okinawa, Japan during exercise Keen Sword 17. During the exercise, combat rescue teams train to increase the interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, respond to a potential crisis and offer humanitarian assistance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Caleb Williams, assigned to the 18th Operations Support Squadron as a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape specialist, performs a communications check aboard a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron during exercise Keen Sword Nov. 4, 2016, near Okinawa, Japan. During the exercise, combat rescue teams train to increase the interoperability required to support the defense of Japan, respond to a potential crisis and offer humanitarian assistance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron prepares to perform in-flight refueling with a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron Nov. 4, 2016, near Okinawa, Japan, during exercise Keen Sword (KS) 17. KS 17 is a regularly scheduled exercise which strengthens U.S.-Japan military interoperability and meets mutual defense objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

U.S. Air Force Airmen prepare to board an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron during exercise Keen Sword (KS) 17, Nov. 4, 2016, on Kadena Air Base, Japan. KS is a regularly scheduled exercise which strengthens U.S.-Japan military interoperability and meets mutual defense objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

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Special Operations Airmen train during Keen Sword 17

Published Nov. 9, 2016
By Senior Airman John Linzmeier, 18th Wing
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Airmen assigned to the 18th Wing and 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, practice life-saving skills during exercise Keen Sword 17, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 4, 2016. The fundamental role of U.S. forces in Japan is to deter aggression and maintain peace and security in the region, and is an essential component of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword

Rescue operations executed for Keen Sword