459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

U.S. Air Force Capt. Brian Reed, 459th Airlift Squadron pilot, observes Mount Fuji from a UH-1N Huey en route to Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. The 459 AS maintains a forward presence in the Pacific and provides responsive airlift support for distinguished visitors, as well as other priority passengers and cargo, on travel vital to the national security interest of the United States. The squadron maintains both UH-1N and C-12J Huron mission-ready aircrews to conduct aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and priority airlift missions throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

U.S. Air Force Capt. Colton McConnell, 459th Airlift Squadron pilot, prepares a UH-1N Huey for parking configuration after landing at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. The 459 AS maintains a forward presence in the Pacific and provides responsive airlift support for distinguished visitors, as well as other priority passengers and cargo, on travel vital to the national security interest of the United States. The squadron maintains both UH-1N and C-12J Huron mission-ready aircrews to conduct aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and priority airlift missions throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

A Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron pilot provides a capability brief to U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to the 459th Airlift Squadron at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. KARS, based in Komatsu Air Base, operate U-125A and UH-60J Black Hawk aircraft for search-and-rescue operations in mountains and seascapes. They also provide airlift support in disaster response, such as their assistance in the aftermath of the Noto Earthquake in January 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

U.S. Air Force Capt. Rachel Curtis, 459th Airlift Squadron pilot and Senior Airman Kayli Rodriguez, 459 AS flight engineer, receive a tour of a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force UH-60J Black Hawk during a bilateral exchange at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. Through routine visits and bilateral engagements - such as cultural and subject matter exchanges - ties between the U.S. Air Force and JASDF continue to grow, supporting the importance of strengthening partnerships with allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to the 459th Airlift Squadron receive a demonstration of Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron pararescue jumper and rescue operations equipment during a bilateral engagement at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. During the visit, 459 AS personnel participated in several familiarization tours to learn about the KARS search-and-rescue mission. In return, the 459 AS showcased mission capabilities of the C-12J Huron and UH-1N Huey aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kayli Rodriguez, 459th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, right, shares UH-1N Huey highlights to Japanese Air Self-Defense personnel assigned to Komatsu Air Base during a bilateral exchange at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. Through routine visits and bilateral engagements - such as cultural and subject matter exchanges - ties between the U.S. Air Force and JASDF continue to grow, supporting the importance of strengthening partnerships with allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell/Modified for security purposes)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

U.S. Air Force Capt. Rachel Curtis, 459th Airlift Squadron pilot, leads a familiarization tour of a C-12J Huron during a bilateral exchange with Japanese Air Self-Defense Force personnel assigned to the Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. The 459 AS maintains a forward presence in the Pacific and provides responsive airlift support for distinguished visitors, as well as other priority passengers and cargo, on travel vital to the national security interest of the United States. The squadron maintains both UH-1N Huey and C-12J mission-ready aircrews to conduct aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and priority airlift missions throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell/Modified for security purposes)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

U.S. Air Force Capt. Colin McMahon, 459th Airlift Squadron pilot, speaks with Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron personnel during a familiarization tour of a C-12J Huron at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. The 459 AS maintains a forward presence in the Pacific and provides responsive airlift support for distinguished visitors, as well as other priority passengers and cargo, on travel vital to the national security interest of the United States. The squadron maintains both UH-1N Huey and C-12J mission-ready aircrews to conduct aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and priority airlift missions throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell/Modified for security purposes)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kayli Rodriguez, 459th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, showcases her aviation helmet to Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron personnel during a bilateral exchange at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. Through routine visits and bilateral engagements - such as cultural and subject matter exchanges - ties between the U.S. Air Force and JASDF continue to grow, supporting the importance of strengthening partnerships with allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

U.S. Air Force Capt. Colton McConnell, 459th Airlift Squadron pilot, leads a familiarization tour of a UH-1N Huey for Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron personnel during bilateral exchanges at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. The 459 AS maintains a forward presence in the Pacific and provides responsive airlift support for distinguished visitors, as well as other priority passengers and cargo, on travel vital to the national security interest of the United States. The squadron maintains both UH-1N and C-12J Huron mission-ready aircrews to conduct aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and priority airlift missions throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force personnel observe newly-acquired patches from 459th Airlift Squadron during a bilateral exchange at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, June 27, 2025. Patch exchanges within military forces, both joint and multilateral, symbolize a gesture of goodwill and respect. Exchanging patches reinforce the bonds between allies and partners, furthering interoperability between nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell/Modified for security purposes)

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459 AS visits JASDF sister squadron for bilateral exchange, UH-1N crew bids farewell

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kayli Rodriguez, 459th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, gestures farewell to Japanese Air Self-Defense Force personnel assigned to Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron after a bilateral engagement at Komatsu Air Base Japan, June 28, 2025. Through routine visits and bilateral engagements - such as cultural and subject matter exchanges - ties between the U.S. Air Force and JASDF continue to grow, supporting the importance of strengthening partnerships with allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to the 459th Airlift Squadron coordinated a bilateral exchange with members of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force’s Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron at Komatsu Air Base on June 27.

During the visit, 459 AS personnel participated in several familiarization tours to learn about the KARS search-and-rescue mission. In return, the 459 AS showcased mission capabilities of the C-12J Huron and UH-1N aircraft.

The 459 AS maintains strong relationships with JASDF units across Japan. Through routine visits and bilateral engagements - such as cultural and subject matter exchanges - ties between the U.S. Air Force and JASDF continue to grow, supporting the importance of strengthening partnerships with allies and partners.