Category: Photos

Kuwaiti Puma

At Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait I happened to see a couple Kuwaiti Puma aircraft. Here are a couple photos. Related Posts Looking Around The Rock Welcome to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait Kuwaiti Towers

Shooting the Big Gun

This is what a 50 caliber Baret looks like and this is what it looks like when you are aiming at a bad guy through a scope. These photos were taken at Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait. Related Posts Firing the M240 Convoy to Iraq Human Statue of Liberty 1918

Reenlistment Ceremony

While at Ali Al Salem air base I reenlisted in the Air Force. Here are some photos of the reenlistment ceremony in front of “The Rock.” Related Posts General Ryan Visits Ali Al Salem Ali Al Salem Air Base Facilities Welcome to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait

Air Force Predator Aircraft

During my time at Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait it was common occurrence to see the Air Force Predator aircraft. This plane is pretty cool because it is an unmanned aircraft and has virtually a lawnmower engine to power it. There was a lot of debate between different types of pilots about if …

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Hardened Aircraft Shelter at Ali Al Salem

Here are some photos of the hardened aircraft shelter’s (HAS) at Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait. The story behind the HAS was that they were built by the French and they were designed with 10 foot reinforced concrete. Apparently the French who built them for the Kuwaiti’s sold them as being bomb proof. …

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Welcome to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait

After 34 hours of flight travel I finally arrived at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. This base was 39 miles from the Iraqi boarder. Here are a few photos of C-130 aircraft with a photo of the base out of the back of a C-130.  Just a few of the things I saw …

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Okinawa Dragon Boat Race

Went to watch the dragon boat races at Tomarin in Okinawa. This was a pretty neat event. There were teams with Okinawan people from different places and there were also teams from different military bases in Okinawa. It seemed as though they were building friendships through friendly competition while experiencing some of the Okinawan culture. …

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Soaring Shadows and Screaming Thunder: The Story of Fighter Jets

There’s something awe-inspiring about the sight of a fighter jet up close. The roar of engines, the sleek lines that seem sculpted for speed, the feeling of raw power wrapped in metal and advanced engineering — all of it combines to create a sense of wonder, intimidation, and admiration. For many, fighter jets are not …

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18th Communications Squadron Flag Football

18th Communications Squadron from Kadena Air Base playing flag football against Marines on Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan. Related Posts Kadena Technical Control Best in the Pacific Welcome to Kadena Air Base in Japan Navy F-18’s at Cobra Gold 2000

Jason Newsted (Former Metallica Bassist) the Unknown Story

In 1998 I was in Okinawa, Japan when I received my Metallica fan club magazine which informed me of the bands upcoming tour. It was actually happening, Metallica was coming to Japan. I knew immediately I had to get tickets. So I checked with the Metallica club to see if I could get tickets through …

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Sapporo Building

While in Tokyo, Japan I went to Asakusa and on the way back I stopped and snapped this photo of the Sapporo building. Sapporo is a big beverage company in Japan and they are best known for their beer. Related Posts Asakusa – Tokyo, Japan Banyan Town Restaurant Fuji Television Building

Habu Sake (Snake Rice Wine)

I went to the botanical gardens in Okinawa with some friends to see a Christmas light event that was going on. While there I was walking through a gift store and saw this Habu sake. In Okinawa, “Habu” means snake and sake is Japanese rice wine. So you literally buy a bottle of wine that …

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Signals of Excellence: The Story of Kadena’s Award-Winning 18th Communications Squadron

When I think back to my time stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, there are countless memories that come flooding in—long nights, high-pressure missions, and a camaraderie that was unlike anything else. But there’s one moment that stands out, not just because of the recognition it brought us, but because of what it …

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Echoes Through the Lines: Circuit Testing and the Hidden Backbone of Kadena Air Base

Download PDF: 19961203 – DDForm1697 While stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, one of the tasks I sometimes had to perform was circuit testing and acceptance tests. At first glance, that might sound like a dry, technical duty buried in the shadows of military operations — just another behind-the-scenes requirement that never makes …

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First Night in Okinawa

In 1996 I was new to the United States Air Force and just arrived in Okinawa a little after 11 PM, when I walked off the plane and met my sponsor for the first time. On the way driving back to base he was driving like a madman. He was cutting through traffic just to …

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Wings Over the Pacific: The Living Story of Kadena Air Base

From above, the photograph captures the essence of Kadena Air Base with startling clarity. The long stretch of runway cutting across the Okinawan landscape, the rows of aircraft lined up as though waiting for their cue to leap into the sky, and the sprawling infrastructure that supports one of the most significant air installations in …

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