Air Force leaders focus on ACE during Kadena AB visit

Published April 8, 2024
By Staff Sgt. Dwane Young, Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel, Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez, Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes, Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi visited Kadena Air Base April 6, to observe Kadena AB’s unique capabilities and ongoing efforts to reoptimize for great power competition.

“Air superiority. Aerial refueling. Airborne warning and control. Search and rescue. Special operations. Team Kadena does it all,” Allvin said. “It was inspiring to hear firsthand how, alongside our allies and partners, the team projects decisive airpower to ensure regional security.”

The visit comes at a time when Kadena AB must modernize infrastructure and focus on developing mission-ready Airmen to effectively execute current and future Agile Combat Employment operations in the region.

As the Keystone of the Pacific, Kadena AB’s strategic location makes it a pivotal installation for ensuring the defense of Japan and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

While here, the senior leaders discussed key base issues, observed a wing-level ACE exercise, “Shogun Shield,” and recognized the outstanding performance of Kadena AB’s service members.

Furthermore, Allvin and Flosi hosted an all-call where they challenged the Airmen in attendance to become as ready and as lethal as possible.

CSAF and CMSAF speak to Kadena Airmen. — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi speak to Airmen during a base visit at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 6, 2024. The all-call provided Airmen with a rare opportunity to speak directly with top Air Force leaders on retention, quality of life, and future operations in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Edward Yankus)

CMSAF coins an Airman. — Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi coins Senior Airman Lillie Jimenez Guzman, 353rd Special Operations Wing imagery analyst, during Flosi’s visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 6, 2024. While at Kadena AB, senior leaders discussed key base issues, observed an 18th Wing agile combat employment exercise, “Shogun Shield,” and recognized the outstanding performance of Kadena AB’s team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

SecAF observes corrosion control and repair. — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall observes corrosion control and repair efforts during his visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 6, 2024. The visit comes at a time when Kadena must modernize infrastructure and focus on developing mission-ready Airmen to effectively execute current and future Agile Combat Employment operations in the region. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

“This is a time we need to break free, move forward, and lead,” Allvin said. “The nation will demand more of the Air and Space Forces in a future fight.”

Flosi expanded further on the pacing challenge.

“The People’s Republic of China is not scared of our hardware, or our technology.” Flosi said. “They’re scared of our Airmen.”

With an enhanced focus on ACE and readiness, the key leaders emphasized the importance of innovation and creativity to adapt to any threats to stability and the security of our allies and partners.

Military modernization within the Indo-Pacific theater remains a top priority for the Defense Department. The visit showcased the base’s diverse range of missions and evolving capabilities, while highlighting the need for modern infrastructure to meet current and future mission demands.

Kadena AB’s continued modernization efforts, powered by mission-ready Airmen, serve as an undeniable example of U.S. determination to meet the pacing threat head-on anytime, anywhere.