Misawa Air Base, Japan -- Over 100 U.S. Air Force Airmen, from the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing, deployed to Misawa Air Base, Japan, in support of exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025, the largest contingency response exercise ever conducted in the Indo-Pacific region, July 10 to August 8, 2025.
The exercise is part of the first-in-a-generation Department-Level Exercise series, encompassing all branches of the Department of Defense, along with allies and partners, employing more than 400 joint and coalition aircraft and more than 12,000 members at more than 50 locations across 3,000 miles.
The 106th served as a real-world rescue capability throughout the duration of the exercise, postured to respond to personnel recovery requirements in the event of a real-world emergency.
“We are actually here for real-world search and rescue for [everyone] participating in the exercise,” said Maj. Patrick Osahor, HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter rescue pilot with the 106th Rescue Wing’s 101st Rescue Squadron. “Because of the density of the aircraft participating in REFORPAC, the 106th Rescue Wing, along with other rescue squadrons, are actually supporting that effort in the context of, if an actual real-world emergency does happen, we are ready to be there to pick up those individuals.”
The 106th integrated closely with other ANG rescue units including aircrew from California and New Mexico, and pararescuemen from Alaska.
“Working with multiple organizations and the end result being the ability for us to be able to work together to come to a common goal is significant,” said Osahor. “The more we can do these types of exercises and get this level of integration, the better prepared the squadron will be to execute in any environment in the future.”
Major Jason Bagwell, an HC-130J Combat King II combat systems officer with the 188th Rescue Squadron, 150th Special Operations Wing, New Mexico ANG, explained how REFORPAC provided an opportunity to see the impact of training efforts executed back home.
“Operating with other units in the National Guard has been excellent,” he said. “At Kirtland Air Force Base, we are responsible for training the entirety of the rescue enterprise, and so I get an opportunity to come out and fly with the units that I’ve been training for the past couple of years, seeing how they’re operating in the real world and seeing them excel in the real mission.”
For many Airmen, REFORPAC provided a firsthand look at how their efforts contribute to the broader mission.
“It feels great, honestly, being a part of it because it’s hard to see sometimes just the impact that you may have on a big mission, especially one as big as this, but it feels like being a part of something greater,” said Staff Sgt. Victor Otton, an electrical engineer specialist with the 106th Rescue Wing.
Reflecting on the mission, Osahor emphasized the importance of readiness within the rescue community.
“Being in the rescue community is the 911 call,” he said. “If we are never called to perform our jobs as rescue Airmen, then that is a good day. The capacity to be able to train and be prepared to receive that call and execute at the highest level though, is the reason why we’re here.”
The 106th Rescue Wing, based at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York, operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft, and the HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter. The 106th Rescue Wing is home to a special warfare squadron with pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, specializing in rescue and recovery, and deploys for domestic and overseas operations.