U.S. Air Force personnel with the 353rd Special Operations Group from Kadena Air Base, Japan, built on existing relationships with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Hamamatsu Air Rescue Squadron, based at Komaki Air Base, and Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron, during Exercise Teak Jet, which took place here June 9-21.
“The primary focus of Exercise Teak Jet was working with our combined partners from JASDF’s Rescue Squadrons,” said Air Force Capt. Altay Savrun, mission commander for Exercise Teak Jet. “We performed helicopter air-to-air refueling to JASDF UH-60J Black Hawk helicopters from our U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II and MC-130H Combat Talon II [aircraft].”
Throughout the 10-day event, the air commandos flew over the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan to meet Japanese UH-60Js and execute HAAR training missions.
Air-to-Air Helicopter Refueling
“The procedure of HAAR is standardized worldwide,” said Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. Hirotaka Nakamura, Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron UH-60J pilot. “Training with the 353rd SOG gave us an opportunity to train and to become familiarized with various types of refueling aircraft. The training allows us to understand each other’s method of operations, establish our standard procedures and improve our capabilities at the same time.”
A unique objective of this particular exercise was night refueling using night vision goggles.
“This is the first time we’ve ever done a nighttime helicopter air refueling with JASDF rescue squadrons over mainland Japan.” Savrun said. “It’s big first step for us because disasters obviously go on day or night and we need to be ready to respond to whatever happens, 24/7.”
Trained Crew
“The 353rd SOG members are highly trained with night operations capabilities and utilize them in the real-world.” Nakamura said. “For us [JASDF], having to communicate in English during the flight is an extra burden that we never have to worry about in our day-to-day routine. What’s more, a HAAR training with NVG is more challenging for us. It gave us a great opportunity to improve our comprehensive HAAR capabilities.”
HAAR mission sets can be used during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. If any disaster hits mainland Japan, JASDF rescue helicopters can refuel quickly and directly from a USAF MC-130H or MC-130J.
“A helicopter is extremely range-limited, so if there is any kind of disaster which occurs a great distance off-shore, they are not able to get there unless they either land on a ship to get gas or we provide air-to-air refueling.” Savrun said. “The bottom line is that refueling helicopters in the air allows them to fly longer and carry more, thus delivering more lifesaving supplies and providing medical evacuations, as required.”
Mainland Japan’s mountainous terrain provided the ideal environment for the MC-130H Combat Talon II crew to conduct day and night visual low-level operations with their terrain-following radar, which enables the 1st Special Operations Squadron to infiltrate areas undetected and at night by hiding in the terrain and weather.
“The Combat Talon II is extremely capable in all kinds of weather and terrains,” said Capt. Kevin Jackson, an MC-130H Combat Talon II pilot with the 1st SOS.
Teamwork, Communication
Low-level flights test the crew members’ teamwork and communication.
“It is a lot of fun and challenging work,” said Jackson. “It is a big crew concept working with a navigator, electronic warfare officer, flight engineer and loadmasters to make sure the aircraft is flying safe and we are not getting close to the peaks of mountains.”
In addition to general flying operations, the Combat Talon II’s crew members conducted low-cost, low-altitude, low-velocity, and high-velocity airdrops over the Combined Arms Training Center at Camp Fuji. Crew members also conducted low-level flights over the ocean.
“One of the other capabilities of the Combat Talon II is called ‘threat penetration,’ said Jackson. “We fly at 100 feet off the water and that allows us to operate under radar and fly along the coast so that we can be effective in hostile environments.”
The purpose of Exercise Teak Jet was to work closely with JASDF partners, share experiences and exchange skills.
“It was a great opportunity for us to train off the coast of Komatsu and [it] improved our HARR skills,” Nakamura said. “We are looking forward to future training opportunities with the 353rd SOG.”