Kadena Air Base is the largest American airbase in Asia. It is located on Okinawa Island, and was captured from the Japanese by American forces early in the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. The 18th Wing is the host unit.
Mission
The 18th Wing's mission is to defend U.S. and Japanese mutual interests by providing a responsive staging and operational airbase with integrated, deployable, forward-based airpower.
The wing is composed of five groups: operations, maintenance, mission support, civil engineer and medical. The wing provides facilities for U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army and other forces assigned to or transiting Kadena.
Approximately 7,000 military members are assigned to the wing. The total base population of 23,000 from five major commands also includes family members, U.S. civilians, Japanese base workers, and contractors. The wing manages $6 billion in resources, including nearly 80 F-15, KC-135, E-3 and HH-60 aircraft valued at more than $4 billion. Other equipment and capital assets are valued at approximately $2 billion.
Source
This article incorporates information from the 18th Wing Public Affairs Office's Web site.
External links and references
