KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – Members of the 18th Wing and local government officials from Chatan Town, Okinawa, conducted a joint tsunami evacuation drill across Kadena Air Base, Sept. 19, 2026. A total of 87 Chatan Town residents traveled through the base, entering Gate 1 and walking to Marek Park to practice moving to higher ground under simulated disaster conditions.
Executing the exercise for the third consecutive year required close coordination among several installation agencies. The event saw multiple teams working together throughout the process like the 18th Wing Command Post sending out the initial emergency alert followed by the 18th Security Forces Squadron escorting participants across the base.
While Chatan’s shoreline faces exposure to coastal hazards, routine exercises help teams streamline entry procedures, ensuring residents can reach higher ground without delay.
“I am deeply grateful that the training and coordination we have conducted together on a regular basis help us respond effectively when an actual emergency occurs,” said Chatan Town Mayor Masashi Toguchi.
The real-world importance of this training was underscored in June of this year when a tsunami advisory was issued, prompting base personnel to quickly open the gates so local residents could evacuate to a safer location.
“This is more than just a drill or practice; it is an opportunity to prepare for the potential of having to save lives,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Byron Buzan, 18th Mission Support Group commander. “We have seen the importance of practicing for this scenario firsthand.”
Situated directly between the coast and Kadena air base, Chatan Town relies on long-standing mutual assistance protocols that provide access for civilians through base gates when low-lying coastal areas become unsafe.
With every exercise, Kadena Air Base and Chatan Town continue to refine their coordination and eliminate potential delays, demonstrating a shared commitment to community safety and emergency readiness that grows stronger each year.
