Airmen support PACAF operations while deployed

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Val Gempis
  • Air Force Print News
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  About 300 Airmen from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, are perfecting their F-15E Strike Eagle skills during an air and space expeditionary force deployment here.

“Our deployment here has been excellent,” said Capt. Joe Ryther, an F-15E pilot with the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. “Kadena is a great location to fly. We’re very excited to be here.”

The Airmen said that not only are they glad to be part of Pacific Air Forces operations but have also enjoyed the challenges and the benefits from working in a joint environment.

During their stay here the 391st EFS Strike Eagles had the chance to fly against different types of aircraft including Navy, Marine and Kadena 18th Wing F-15 Eagle jets during a joint exercise. The group practiced everything from bombing small islands and dog fighting in the air, to outmaneuvering the enemy and destroying targets.

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather.

“We’ve had unparalleled training,” said Capt. Chad Shenk, an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot with the 391st EFS. “We don’t normally get this kind of training back home”

Captain Shenk also said exercises like these increases ties among services.

But not all the training happened in the air. On the ground, 391st F-15E maintainers were also busy ensuring jets fly safely and on time each day.

“This deployment has been great for us,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Johnson, an F-15E crew chief. “We have young troops who have never deployed before.”

And although Kadena is not an austere location, maintainers got a chance to experience how to operate away from home.

“(The fighter wing here works) at our pace,” Sergeant Johnson said. “We’ve had great support and seamless integration here.”