On 26 December 2004 , the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami caused widespread destruction in the region . The squadron deployed aircraft and personnel to Bangkok in order to aid relief efforts in Operation Unified Assistance . After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on 11 March of that year , the squadron deployed to Yokota Air Base to support the relief effort in Operation Tomodachi , returning to Kadena in early April . The squadron supported Operation Damayan , the relief effort in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013 . In December 2014 , the squadron began reequipping with the more advanced Lockheed MC-130J Commando II , replacing its Combat Shadows
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
17th Special Operations Squadron