Kadena 33rd RQS commander takes final flight

(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gary Hilton)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Caleb Partain, 33rd Rescue Squadron special mission aviator, performs pre-flight checks before takeoff at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 30, 2025. SMA’s are highly trained specialists that perform a multitude of integral roles, including conducting pre-flight inspections of aircraft systems and providing weapon defense when necessary, ensuring mission success.