Typhoon Recovery

The United States' largest military installation in the Asia Pacific, located on Japan's Okinawa island chain, is recovering after Typhoon Neoguri swept through the region on Tuesday.

Kadena Air Base -- home to the Air Force's largest combat wing comprised of the 376th Strategic Wing, 18th Combat Support Wing and the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing -- began evacuating personnel and aircraft on July 6 in preparation for the typhoon.

As of July 8, the base had switched to recovery mode after the tropical cyclone readiness level was downgraded for the region, according to a notice posted on the base's social media account.

"Destructive, sustained winds of 50 knots are no longer occurring. Actual winds are 34-49 knots. No outdoor activity is authorized other than workers from pre-designated emergency crews," the notice states. An earlier notice said wing gusts of 135 knots were recorded when the typhoon was 107 nautical miles west of Kadena.

According to 18th Wing Commander Brig. Gen. James Hecker, quoted in a July 7 Air Force statement, the evacuation began on July 6.

"I can't stress enough how dangerous this typhoon may be when it hits Okinawa," Hecker said at the time. "This is the most powerful typhoon forecast to hit the island in 15 years. We expect damaging winds to arrive by early Tuesday morning. This is not just another typhoon."

The base's three associated wings operate F-15 Eagles, E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, KC-135 Stratotankers and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. Some aircraft were secured in hangars instead of being relocated, Hecker said.

Other Air Force installations in Japan include Yokota Air Base, situated west of Tokyo, and Misawa Air Base, located in the country's north.