ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- While the 11th Air Task Force was deployed to Guam to support operations across the Pacific, several members continued that mission by forward deploying to Misawa Air Base and Kadena Air Base in Japan from September to November.
While at Misawa Air Base, fuel operators from the 11th Combat Air Base Squadron, which has supported the 11th ATF during its six-month deployment in the Pacific, supported exercise Bushido Guardian 25 and the 7th Bomb Wing’s Bomber Task Force (BTF) deployment. The team leveraged its refueling certifications and experience to offset a local manning deficit, with five 11th CABS fuel operators issuing 193,150 gallons of jet fuel to 115 U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy aircraft over the course of 42 days. Team members had a chance to refuel multiple different airframes, ranging from bombers to cargo planes to Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance airframes.
“Our team had a very successful trip to Misawa,” said Tech. Sgt. Tyler Marsh, 11th CABS Fuels Operations section chief and mission lead. “We were able to assist the fuels flight with manning during their surge in aircraft and leverage our hot refuel certifications to seamlessly integrate with their operations, gaining valuable experience in ways we haven’t yet during this deployment. We are very grateful to the 35th LRS Fuels Management Flight for getting us spun up and taking care of us during our time out there.”
Senior Airman Zachary White, 11th CABS fuels distribution operator, said he was “super excited” to be able to travel to Japan and support the mission.
“Opportunities like this make me want to stay in,” he said.
Meanwhile, the team at Kadena Air Base—composed of members from the 11th CABS Civil Engineering, Force Support Squadron and Logistics Readiness Squadrons—integrated with the 18th Civil Engineering Squadron and 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron to execute mission tasks in support of Kadena’s infrastructure and operational surge. The team’s presence not only reduced the CE workload backlog but increased operational uptime and drove base operational readiness. Their work included critical HVAC repairs throughout the installation, clearing vegetation and debris along vital emergency access routes, installing concrete pads and extending sidewalks at key facilities, and repairing perimeter security fences.
In addition to executing projects, CE-specific training was provided to six Kadena Airmen. This training opportunity not only showcased the 11th ATF CE team’s knowledge and mission capable Airmen capabilities but provided training on essential construction techniques.
“Our mission helped advance Pacific Air Forces’ strategic objectives by ensuring infrastructure resilience and mission continuity, directly impacting the base's capacity to support joint operations and execute INDOPACOM’s strategic priorities in the region,” said Master Sgt. Edward Ossome, 11th CABS Sustainment Element supervisor and mission lead.
According to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Jamerson, 11th CABS commander, both teams were shining examples of the 11th CABS’ success in supporting the INDOPACOM and PACAF missions across the theater while the 11th ATF was deployed.
“Our Airmen demonstrated great flexibility, resourcefulness and readiness as they supported mission partners in Japan,” Jamerson said. “This went beyond training to directly support INOPACOM’s operational priorities, especially in agile combat employment and base operations support. I am beyond proud of how our teams performed and lived out that core service value of excellence in everything they did.”