By Senior Airman Donald Hudson, 374th Airlift Wing / Published December 11, 2017
Staff Sgt. Terrance Macklin, 374th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment craftsman, performs an inspection on aircrew chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protective gear during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The exercise included CBRN training for aircrew during flight to ensure in-flight mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)
An Airman with the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron performs pre-flight checks prior to starting up a C-130J Super Hercules during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Yokota provided round-the-clock continuous airlift support during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)
Capt. Jordan Hechinger, 41st Troop Carrier Squadron C-130J Super Hercules pilot, straps himself into the pilot’s seat during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The exercise tested Yokota’s readiness and ability to receive and deploy supplies or forces in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)
Airmen with the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform checks to ensure they can receive water through their chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protective gear during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The CBRN checks are to ensure the protective equipment is functioning properly and so airmen can stay hydrated while working in potentially contaminated conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)
2nd Lt. Robert Havene, 41st Troop Carrier Squadron C-130J Super Hercules pilot, works out a pre-flight issue with an Airmen from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The exercise provides critical training for Airmen to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)
Airman 1st Class Matt Madson, 41st Troop Carrier Squadron C-130J Super Hercules loadmaster, looks into a C-130J during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The exercise tested Yokota’s readiness and ability to receive and deploy supplies or forces in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)
A 41st Troop Carrier Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircrew from Little Rock Air Force Base, AR, flies near Mt. Fuji during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, over the Saitama prefecture, Japan. The 41 TCS provided manpower and aircraft support during the exercise at Yokota, which is in the middle of transitioning to the C-130J Super Hercules. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)
Capt. Jordan Hechinger, 41st Troop Carrier Squadron C-130J Super Hercules pilot, communicates with the co-pilot during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, over the Saitama prefecture, Japan. The exercise provides critical training for Airmen to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)
A 41st Troop Carrier Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircrew from Little Rock Air Force Base, AR, flies over Japan during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, over the Nagano prefecture, Japan. The 41 TCS provided manpower and aircraft support during the exercise at Yokota, which is in the middle of transitioning to the C-130J Super Hercules. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)
Airmen with the 41st Troop Carrier Squadron from Little Rock Air Force Base, AR, look out the tailgate of a C-130J Super Hercules during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Vigilant Ace 18 is a U.S.-Republic of Korea combined exercise aimed at enhancing operational and tactical level coordination through combined and joint combat training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)
Airman 1st Class Matt Madson, 41st Troop Carrier Squadron C-130J Super Hercules loadmaster, looks out the tailgate while taxiing during exercise Vigilant Ace 18, Dec. 6, 2017, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Vigilant Ace 18 is a U.S.-Republic of Korea combined exercise aimed at enhancing operational and tactical level coordination through combined and joint combat training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Donald Hudson)