Yokota's Samurai Surge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Seven C-130 Hercules aircraft took off as part of a "Samurai Surge" exercise here Nov. 4.

"Launching the Fleet" is an operation that occurs when a base launches as many aircraft available on the ramp simultaneously, known locally as "Samurai Surge."

"The C-130's here at Yokota Air Base are the only tactical airlift fleet for the Pacific Air Forces, so we provide the tactical airlift to be able to move humanitarian supplies, medical evacuation missions and any cargo-carrying capability that units need here within the Pacific," said Capt. Michael Makaryk, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron OIC. "We launch here from Japan and we go to places like Thailand, Australia, anywhere in the PACOM AOR to deliver whatever needs to be delivered."

The "Samurai Surge" is a joint effort between the 374th Maintenance Group and the 374th Operations Group.

For the groups, the exercise was a way for aircrew and maintainers to test their ability to generate all available aircraft.

"We need to be able to demonstrate our maximum capability at a moment's notice in order to support any type of higher headquarters' tasking, whether it be humanitarian or combat support, at a moment's notice. We need to be able to launch our aircraft and get out of town in support of that mission," Chief Master Sgt. Albert Novelli, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent.

"The normal flying and training schedule is normally one, two or three aircraft a day, so in order to put up seven or eight aircraft, it takes a lot of effort from our maintainers and our operators," said Captain Makaryak.