Kadena AB | Base Overview & Info (2024)

Mission

Operating from the largest U.S. installation in the Asia-Pacific region, the 18th Wing defends United States and Japanese mutual interests by providing aresponsive staging and operational air base with integrated, deployable, forward-based airpower. Strategy used to employ this mission centers around a force of 81 combat-ready fighter, air refueling, airborne warning and control and search and rescue aircraft.

History

Kadena AB's history dates back to just before the U.S. invasion of Okinawa on April 1945, when a local construction firm completed a small airfield named Yara Hikojo near the island's village of Kadena. The airfield, used by Japanese war planes, was one of the first targets of the U.S. 10th Army and was captured just hours after American troops stormed the island. What the Americans captured was nothing more than a 4,600 foot strip of badly-damaged coral runway. Army engineers quickly made repairs and by nightfall the same day, the runway could accept emergency landings. Eight days later, and after some six inches of coral were added, the airfield was declared operational and put into immediate service. By August 1945, an additional runway was built and the original runway lengthened and improved to accommodate bombers. Kadena Air Base was born.For more on Kadena's history visit the installation'shttps://www.kadena.af.mil/About-Us/History/Kadena-Air-Base-History/.

Population

Nearly 18,000 Americans and more than 4,000 Japanese employees and contractors make up Team Kadena. There are 13 major installations on Okinawa. Kadena itself is sprawled across some 4,900 acres with an adjoining munitions area of 6,300 acres.

1.4 million people in Okinawa, 123 million residents in Japan

Location

Kadena AB is located in Okinawa City, Okinawa, Japan. Okinawais a semi-tropical island located between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Given the extensive tourism, cultural and historical sites, pristine ocean and beaches, live entertainment, parks and restaurants, most people find that Kadena is the best tour of their career! If you need information, the base operator's telephone number is 011-81-98-961-1110 or DSN 315-634-1110.

https://www.kadena.af.mil

Directions

Okinawa is located southwest of mainland Japan, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and East China Sea. The nearest commercial airport is Naha International Airport located in the city of Naha, located off of Highway 58.

From the AMC Terminal

The military contracted flight "The Patriot Express" lands at Kadena AB's AMC flight terminal. If you are traveling with pets, your pets can be directly picked up at the baggage claim section once you de-board the plane. Your sponsor should meet you at the AMC Terminal to transport you to the Shogun Inn registration desk.

If you arrive after hours, you may callDSN: 315-645-8888 or COMM: 098-970-8888 for a taxi on base. Please follow the prompts after dialing the number. Option 8 is for taxi service on Kadena AB.

USO Facility at the AMC Terminal

The USO Family Lounge is located at the AMC Terminal. Hours are dependent upon Patriot Express Arrival and Departure. The lounge is located in the outbound section of the AMC Terminal. The following services are offered: free Skype calls to the U.S., free Wi-Fi, free computer use, free coffee, sodas, and snacks. Please contact the USOKadena by Gate 2 at DSN 634-5097for more information.

Directions from Naha International Airport

Naha International is the commercial airport where you will arrive if you are not flying on the military contracted flight. Naha International is located approximately 45 minutes to 1 and 1/2 hours from Kadena AB depending upon traffic. It is very important you coordinate transportation arrangements with your sponsor prior to arriving in Okinawa as there is not Shuttle Service from Naha to Kadena Air Base.

Taxi Service

Taxi service is a transportation option you can use. Commercial taxi service is also available to Kadena AB for approximately 5,000 yen ($50 equivalent). Please be certain the taxi is labeled "on-base" access or you will not be able to enter the installation. The taxi drivers accept yen only.

Pets

If you are arriving in the domestic terminal and are traveling with pets, your pets can be directly picked up at the baggage claim section once you de-board the plane. If you are arriving in the international terminal with pets, you will need to proceed to the Quarantine section to process your pets into the country.

How to Contact Kadena

If you were routed through mainland Japan, you will arrive at the domestic terminal.Once in Naha, the Naha International terminal has a DSN line available at the Information Booth dial 634-1110. Download the Kadena Connect App on your cell phone to find all this information and more.

http://www.kadena.af.mil/newcomers

Base Transportation

Most individuals without personal transportation utilize taxis. Ensure if you use a taxi, that the words "Authorized on Base" are clearly painted on the rear of the vehicle. Taxis without this marking are not permitted on military installations. To call for a taxi, please dial DSN: 315-645-8888 and follow the prompts. Car rental is also available in Bldg. 219 Monday thru Sunday 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Please call COMM: 098-970-8888 for car rental information.

Please be advised that there are no on-base buses or on-base bus routes. Once arrived on Kadena, newcomers are encouraged to coordinate with their sponsor to ensure that the sponsor can provide transportation until the newcomer secures a SOFA drivers license and vehicle.Find Taxi information and numbers by downloading the Kadena Connect App on your cell phone.

http://www.kadena.af.mil/newcomers

Contact Information

COMM: 011-81-98-961-1110 or DSN 634-1110.

Calling a Kadena AB DSNnumber from cell:

1) Dial 011-81-98-938-1111 from a stateside cell number or 098-938-1111 from a Japanese cell numberthen you will hear a dial tone

2) Dial the 7-digit DSN

Kadena AB | Base Overview & Info (2024)

FAQs

How many people work on Kadena AB? ›

Population. Nearly 18,000 Americans and more than 4,000 Japanese employees and contractors make up Team Kadena. There are 13 major installations on Okinawa. Kadena itself is sprawled across some 4,900 acres with an adjoining munitions area of 6,300 acres.

What is Kadena AFB known for? ›

About us. Kadena Air Base is the hub of airpower in the Pacific, and home to the 18th Wing and a variety of associate units. Together they form "Team Kadena" -- a world-class combat team ready to fight and win from the Keystone of the Pacific.

What is the largest US military base in Japan? ›

The 18th Wing is host at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, Japan. It is the largest U.S. military installation in the Asia-Pacific region and the largest wing in the Air Force.

Is the Kadena Air Force base still active? ›

Over 20,000 American servicemembers, family members, and Japanese employees live or work at Kadena Air Base. It is the largest and most active U.S. Air Force base in East Asia.

What is the largest military base in the United States? ›

Fort Liberty, formerly Fort Bragg, is a military installation of the United States Army in North Carolina, and is one of the largest military installations in the world by population, with over 52,000 military personnel.

Is Misawa, Japan safe? ›

"Misawa is safe," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Heath, 673rd AMDS, bioenvironmental technician augmenting the 35th AMDS from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. "We have taken measurements before the Fukushima incident and after and they all comeback the same - no elevated levels. Misawa is safe."

What is the nickname of the Kadena Air Base? ›

Kadena Air Base is located in the towns of Kadena and Chatan, as well as in the city of Okinawa, Japan. It is a U.S. Air Force military base that is often referred to as the Keystone of the Pacific.

Can you live off base at Kadena AFB? ›

There are 11 base dormitories providing living quarters for unaccompanied airmen. Unaccompanied personnel E-4 and below are not authorized to live off base.

What aircraft are stationed at Kadena? ›

Kadena Air Base, Japan, is exchanging F-35s and F-15Cs for F-22s and F-16s in the base's latest rotation of fighters on Okinawa, a strategic location just 400 miles east of Taiwan.

How many Americans are in Okinawa? ›

The U.S. population in Okinawa approaches 80,000. Nearly 30,000 are active-duty military people from all four branches of the armed forces. One thousand, four-hundred Department of Defense civilians, 700 DoD Dependents Schools teachers and staff, and almost 25,000 U.S. family members form our military community here.

Why does the US have a base in Okinawa? ›

Historic Background of the Formation of U.S. Military Bases on Okinawa. During this period under the U.S. occupation, the U.S. military requisitioned a large portion of the flat land on Okinawa which was considered highly useful.

How many Americans live in Japan? ›

As of December 2023, there were 63,408 American citizens registered as foreign residents of Japan, forming 2.0% of the total population of registered aliens, according to statistics from Japan's Ministry of Justice.

What is the closest airport to Kadena AFB? ›

Airports near Kadena Air Base

The nearest airport to Kadena Air Base is Okinawa (OKA). Okinawa Bus operates a bus from Naha bus Terminal to Kadena every 4 hours. Tickets cost $4 - $8 and the journey takes 1h 8m.

What is the contamination at Kadena Air Base? ›

The site has alarming levels of PFAS from the American base. Here, you can see the proximity of the Kadena Air Base runway to the site where we found dangerous levels of PFAS in the leachate flowing from the military's toxic stew. The island of Okinawa is severely contaminated with PFAS.

What are the toxic exposures on Okinawa? ›

On Okinawa, since the end of World War Two, hundreds of thousands of US service members and their families have worked and lived on bases contaminated with hazardous substances including dioxin, asbestos, lead, PFAS and PCBs.

How big is Kadena Air Base? ›

The Air Base area of 19.86 square kilometers (1.3 times the size of Tokyo Interna- tional Airport ((Haneda)) or 425 times the size of Tokyo Dome) straddles multiple municipalities on land from one city and two towns: Okinawa City, and Kadena and Chatan towns.

What are the statistics on Kadena? ›

Kadena Price Live Data

The live Kadena price today is $0.564905 USD with a 24-hour trading volume of $9,576,194 USD. We update our KDA to USD price in real-time. Kadena is down 6.37% in the last 24 hours. The current CoinMarketCap ranking is #257, with a live market cap of $161,706,765 USD.

How many students attend Kadena High School? ›

What is the largest combat wing in the Kadena? ›

The United States Air Force's 18th Wing is the host wing for Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan and is the Air Force's largest combat wing.

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