Pacific Air Forces

Keen Sword 2015: Sharpening readiness

A patient litter is lifted onto a transport bus during medical evacuation training at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. The medevac training is part of Keen Sword 2015 and is aimed at improving military readiness and effectiveness during contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Granette Wright, 374th Medical Group, signals "ready" to medical personnel carrying a liter-bound patient during medical evacuation training for Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. The training included medevac flights, off-load and on-load of patients, transportation and field medical care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015: Sharpening readiness

Airmen assigned to the 374th Medical Group move a patient to a bus for transportation during a medical evacuation training scenario for Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. The patients were put on different buses depending on their health status and transported to one of three facilities to receive necessary medical care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez/Released)

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Exercise patients are carried to transport buses from a C-130 Hercules during medical evacuation training for Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. Yokota develops medical evacuation support capabilities by utilizing the three aircraft stationed at the Air Force base: C-130s, UH-1N Hueys and C-12 Hurons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015: Sharpening readiness

An Airman playing an exercise casualty reads about her role during medical evacuation training at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. The training was part of Keen Sword 2015, a joint and bilateral exercise aimed at improving military readiness and strengthening the Japanese-U.S. alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015: Sharpening readiness

A patient is carried on a litter by members of the 374th Medical Group during medical evacuation training for Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. Manpower medical teams moved patients between aircraft, ground transport vehicles and medical facilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015: Sharpening readiness

U.S. Army Maj. Keith Lund, 47th Combat Support Hospital physician assistant, inspects a patient who had just been transported from a C-130 Hercules during medical evacuation training for Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. Patients were removed from the aircraft and then sent to the 47 CSH, 374th Medical Group hospital or the En-Route Patient Staging System depending on their simulated health status. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez/Released)

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U.S. Army Maj. Keith Lund and Capt. Regina Thorp inspect a patient just received from a C-130 Hercules during medical evacuation training at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. Lund and Thorp are with the 47 Combat Support Hospital out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The training was part of Keen Sword 2015, a joint and bilateral exercise aimed at improving military readiness and strengthening the Japanese-U.S. alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015: Sharpening readiness

Surgical tools are lain out at the 47th Combat Support Hospital during Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. KS 2015 involves 10,000 U.S. military members and is a joint and bilateral exercise aimed at improving readiness of military members in Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Maj. Brian MacLean, 459th Airlift Squadron C-12 Huron pilot, attaches a tail stand to a C-12 during an aeromedical evacuation exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. The stand ensures the safety of the C-12 crew and the simulated patients during the embarking procedure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David C. Danford/Released)

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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Pedro Vazquez refuels a C-12 Huron before an aeromedical evacuation during Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. The purpose of the exercise is to improve the interoperability of Japan Self Defense Forces and U.S. forces. Vazquez is with the Marine Wing Liaison Kadena, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David C. Danford/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015

Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron review procedures for the full spectrum hospital bed aboard a C-12 Huron during Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. This training between the U.S. and Japan has been a routine, recurring event since 1986. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David C. Danford/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015

Airmen from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron participate in Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. The exercise is the latest in a series of joint and bilateral exercises since 1986 involving Japan Self Defense Forces and U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David C. Danford/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Aldwin Gacote, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron medical technician, records vital information for two simulated patients aboard a C-12 Huron over Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. The 18 AES took part in Exercise Keen Sword 2015 testing their medical capabilities aboard smaller aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David C. Danford/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelica Ramirez, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron medical technician, readies an automated external defibrillator during Exercise Keen Sword 2015 over Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. The training between the U.S. and Japan has been a routine, recurring event since 1986. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David C. Danford/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelica Ramirez and Senior Airman Aldwin Gacote, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technicians, simulate cardiopulmonary resuscitation during an exercise inject aboard a C-12 Huron over Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 12, 2014. The exercise, Keen Sword 2015, tested their ability to respond to medical emergencies mid-flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David C. Danford/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Daneen Kosa, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse, directs litter teams to the back of a C-130 during aeromedical evacuation training for Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. Keen Sword 2015 is a joint and bilateral exercise aimed at improving military readiness and strengthening the Japanese-U.S. alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jesus Sanchez, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron technician, sets up a litter in the back of a C-130 during aeromedical evacuation training for Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. A C-130 can hold a maximum of 52 litters, while the J-model can hold 92. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Gillespie, 374th Medical Group public health technician, unloads a simulated patient from a UH-1N Huey during Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. Several members of 374 MDG had the opportunity to get hands-on training for aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Soo C. Kim/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Troy Rathke, 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, simulates an injured patient as he gets loaded into the back of a C-130 during aeromedical evacuation training for Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. Members of the 374th Medical Group practiced loading and unloading litters from a C-130 Hercules, C-12 Huron and a UH-1N Huey helicopter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Wright, 459th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, looks out the window of a UH-1N Huey on the way to Yokosuka Naval Station during aeromedical evacuation training for Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. While at Yokosuka, Wright briefed a group of Navy members on how to load and unload a litter patient. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015: Sharpening readiness

Maj. Destry Hill and 1st Lt. Daniel Trapani, 459th Airlift Squadron pilots, man the controls of a UH-1N Huey as they land at Yokosuka Naval Station during aeromedical evacuation training for Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. Keen Sword 2015 is a joint and bilateral exercise aimed at improving military readiness and strengthening the Japanese-U.S. alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Washburn/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Wright, 459th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, inspects a litter’s stability before a UH-1N Huey takes off with a simulated patient during Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. The patient was loaded and carried from Yokota to Yokosuka Naval Station, Japan, to simulate aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Soo C. Kim/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015: Sharpening readiness

Members of 374th Medical Group lift a simulated patient above their shoulders during Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. Keen Sword is a routine exercise between the U.S. military and Japan, aimed to increase readiness to respond to varied crisis situations in the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Soo C. Kim/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Wright, 459th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, briefs a group of seaman on aeromedical evacuation using the UH-1N Huey during Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokosuka Naval Station, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. Approximately 11,000 U.S. personnel participated in the latest chapter of Keen Sword, including members from multiple branches of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Soo C. Kim/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Wright, 459th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, briefs the members of 374th Medical Group on loading patients to a UH-1N Huey helicopter during Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. Keen Sword has been a reoccurring exercise between U.S. military and Japan since 1986. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Soo C. Kim/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015: Sharpening readiness

A group of Airmen and a Soldier carries a simulated patient out of a UH-1N Huey during Exercise Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 13, 2014. Keen Sword is a routine exercise between Japan and U.S. service members, aimed to increase the readiness of service members to defend and support various crisis situations in the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Soo C. Kim/Released)

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Keen Sword 2015: Sharpening medical readiness throughout Japan

Published Nov. 13, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Members of the 374th Medical Group, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and U.S. Army Soldiers with the 47th Combat Support Hospital trained their medical evacuation procedures and response during Keen Sword 2015 at Yokota Air Base, Japan; Kadena Air Base, Japan; and Yokosuka Naval Station, Japan, Nov. 12 through 13.

More than 11,000 U.S. personnel participate in the exercise which is aimed at increasing combat readiness and interoperability between Japan Self Defense Forces and U.S. forces.