A local Okinawa resident and US Marine were lost off the Okinawa coast on March 12, after becoming trapped in the bottom of an 80-foot cliff near a popular dive site on the island. Combining efforts, airmen from Kadena Air Base and Japanese first responders helped save the two divers after a five-hour search and rescue operation. Airmen from the 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Kadena had a HH-60 Pave Hawk ready to carry an aircrew and pararescuers to join a search as the sun began to set. Using a winch, the pararescuemen were lowered into a spot in the cliffs where 20-foot waves were pounding the two divers. After several aborted attempts, the airmen lifted the two divers out and delivered them to Japanese fire and rescue crews by 1:30 a.m. the next morning. “It was nice to see how smoothly we worked together,” said 2nd Lt. Timothy James, a combat rescue officer with the 31st Rescue Squadron.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
