Aircrews and F-16s at Misawa AB, Japan, recently tested their ability to rapidly deploy and set up operations through a training deployment to nearby Kadena Air Base. Maintenance airmen and pilots with the 35th Fighter Wing on March 23 rapidly checked out and launched their aircraft in a simulated contingency operation as part of exercise Beverly Sunrise 16-03, according to a Misawa release. The operational readiness exercise included all squadrons at Misawa, with airmen going through the entire deployment process and packing cargo needed to deploy, according to Misawa.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…