🇯🇵 Kadena Air Base

Kadena Air Base (IATA: DNA, ICAO: RODN) is a United States Air Force base located in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, often referred to as the "Keystone of the Pacific" due to its strategic location.

Type of Facility and Operations: Kadena Air Base is a U.S. Air Force Base controlled by Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It serves as the hub of airpower in the Pacific and is home to the 18th Wing, which is the Air Force's largest and most diverse combat wing,. The 18th Wing operates a fleet of combat-ready aircraft for air superiority, aerial refueling, airborne warning and control, and combat search and rescue functions. The base also provides infrastructure support to Army, Navy, and Marine Corps forces assigned to or transiting Kadena. The 733rd Air Mobility Squadron manages air passenger and cargo movement, supporting approximately 650 aircraft arrivals and departures monthly.

Notable Features or History: The airfield, originally known as Naka Hikojo or Yara Hikojo, was built by a local construction firm just before the U.S. invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945. It was one of the first objectives of the Tenth Army during the invasion and was captured and secured within hours of the initial landings. U.S. Army engineers quickly made repairs, and by August 1945, an additional runway was built and the existing strip lengthened to accommodate bombers. From the end of World War II to the Korean Conflict, Kadena supported B-29 bomber and reconnaissance operations. The 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing moved to Kadena in November 1954 and became the host unit in May 1955. In 1991, Kadena Air Base combined three wings—the 376th Strategic Wing, 18th Combat Support Wing, and the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing—into the current 18th Wing, incorporating various aircraft under one command. The base has two runways, both 3,688 meters (12,100 ft) long, with asphalt and concrete surfaces,.

Current Status: Kadena Air Base is currently operational. It is the largest U.S. installation in the Asia-Pacific region, with nearly 20,000 Americans and over 3,000 Japanese employees and contractors making up "Team Kadena". The 18th Wing, the host unit, operates F-15s, KC-135s, E-3s, and HH-60s, and is supported by associate units from other Air Force major commands, the U.S. Navy, and other Department of Defense agencies,.

*Sources researched: kadena.af.mil, en.wikipedia.org, skyvector.com*