YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 36th Contingency Response Group (CRG) Contingency Response Team (CRT) along with the 374th Airlift Wing Logistics Quick Reaction Force (Log QRF) and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Contingency Response (JASDF CR) participated in Machete Samurai, a field training exercise where they worked together to quickly open and operate an airbase at a simulated disaster-stricken location at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 25-26, 2025.
36th CRG CRT, 374th AW Log QRF, and JASDF CR established a fully operational landing zone, tactical operations center, and aerial port in under four hours. The FTX provided opportunity for key players and observers participating to share tactics, techniques, and procedures for rapid airbase opening and landing zone operations.
“This FTX provided crucial training repetition for our teams, and we are all better prepared to respond in the event of a disaster,” said Lt Col John Menezes, 36th CRG deputy commander.
36th CRG maintains the United States Indo-Pacific Command’s (USINDOPACOM) in-theater airbase assessment and opening capability and would deploy self-sufficient CRTs in response to crisis or disaster. Additionally, 374th AW Log QRF has in-house airbase opening capabilities similar to 36th CRT’s, serving as a valuable tool for INDOPACOM in the same event.
“By coming together as one team, we were able to learn from each other, grow our capabilities, and reach new heights,” said Menezes.
Disaster-simulated exercises such as Machete Samurai demonstrate the Pacific Air Forces’ proactive and reactive posture in the region through the use of agile combat employment (ACE) techniques in contested environments. Applying ACE concepts across military operations strengthens resiliency and survivability while generating combat power.