Air Force physical therapist strengthens readiness at Osan Air Base

Published July 10, 2025
By Maristela Romero
Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs

FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- “I did not choose physical therapy it chose me,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Koji Yoshioka, a physical therapy technician with the 51st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

Before joining the military, Yoshioka trained to become a civilian firefighter, attending EMT and fire training courses. It was there he met several veterans whose leadership and experiences left a lasting impression, shifting his career trajectory.

“Joining the military was never on my radar,” he said. “But hearing their tales and seeing the way they led our groups out in the field opened my eyes and made me want to experience what they had.”

Inspired by that encounter and with the desire to live overseas, further his education, and build a stable future with his family - Yoshioka made the leap. He recalled asking himself, “What better choice than to join the U.S. Air Force?”

Image of an Airman training other people/ — Air Force physical therapist strengthens readiness at Osan Air Base

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Koji Yoshioka, 51st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron physical therapist technician, demonstrates how to perform a conventional barbell deadlift during and outreach for Soldiers at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, April 25, 2025. (Photo courtesy from U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Koji Yoshioka)

Image of an Airman training with another person. — Air Force physical therapist strengthens readiness at Osan Air Base

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Koji Yoshioka, 51st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron physical therapist technician, guides an individual through a strength and conditioning exercise during an Advanced Physical Training Leader course at Osan Air Base, South Korea, April 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy from U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Koji Yoshioka)

Yoshioka’s specialty in physical therapy falls within the diverse Biomedical Science Corps, comprised of medical professionals in areas including but not limited to optometry, clinical psychology, clinical social work, occupational therapy, bioenvironmental engineering, public health, and biomedical laboratory. PTs play a crucial role in musculoskeletal injury prevention and overall Airmen’s fitness for duty.

In April 2025, Yoshioka was nominated as an Air Force Medical Service Trusted Care Hero for his leadership and commitment to improving Airmen’s health and mission readiness at Osan AB as a physical therapist. He filled a critical manning gap within the wing’s Operational Support Team, a program focused on maximizing Total Force readiness through optimizing human performance through data-driven health assessments and strategies.

“Staff Sgt. Yoshioka has stepped up to the challenge of helping fill this gap,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Nicole Powell, OST flight commander. “He is responsible for enhancing and expanding metabolic testing and body composition testing for the 18,691 combined force population at Osan Air Base.”

Powell described him as the embodiment of the Trusted Care principles upheld in the AFMS community.

“His integrity, competence, and empathy make him a truly outstanding medic, and one I would trust with the care of myself and my family,” she said.

“His integrity, competence, and empathy make him a truly outstanding medic, and one I would trust with the care of myself and my family.”

– U.S. Air Force Maj. Nicole Powell, OST flight commander

Yoshioka has also been instrumental in developing and sustaining the wing’s first Advanced Physical Training Leader Course, now a monthly program. Designed to sharpen fitness leadership for officers to deliver unit physical training and fitness assessments, the course provides education on sleep hygiene, nutrition, injury prevention, and safe exercise programming.

“They say the best cure for injury is to prevent it from happening,” he said. “This proactive approach supports long-term health and helps mitigate potential issues before they escalate… If we can teach proper body mechanics, this would go a long way towards not just a more fit force, but a healthier one.”

As a Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator and Certified Personal Trainer, Yoshioka offers tactical fitness expertise tailored to these military demands. The foundational qualifications he instills as the Advanced PTL course instructor contributes to its success, training more than 74 Airmen from 18 units since the course began in December 2024.

Yoshioka’s impact reached beyond fitness training for Airmen. Through expanding Osan’s collaboration with the Armed Forces Wellness Center, he helped provide 650 InBody assessments and metabolic testing valued at over $71,000 for the entire Pacific Air Forces community, which includes base personnel, dependents, retirees, and Korean partners.

Image of Airmen posing for a photo. — U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Koji Yoshioka, 51st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron physical therapist technician, receives an award with members of the 51st Medical Group during a ceremony at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Jan. 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy from U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Koji Yoshioka)

In another key initiative, Yoshioka coordinated the first Blood Flow Restriction therapy training for U.S. Forces Korea. He organized training exercises for 39 providers, secured two CONUS-based instructors, and obtained BFR equipment for hands-on instruction. This training introduced an evidence-based rehabilitation method with extensive benefits for strength development and reducing recovery time.

“Due to Staff Sgt. Yoshioka’s contributions, these professionals will expand their BFR knowledge and application to ensure patients are receiving the highest quality, evidence-based clinical care,” Powell said. “This ultimately will improve patient outcomes and boost human performance optimization resources for the 28,500 joint warfighters stationed in South Korea.”

Yoshioka expressed his gratitude toward mentors and colleagues, past and present, for his professional growth.

“Every experience, whether it is positive or negative, is an opportunity to learn,” he said. “Special shoutout goes to my mentor and the world’s greatest supervisor, Master Sgt. Frances Sumayop, who is truly one of a kind.”

With precision and unwavering purpose, Yoshioka exemplifies the essence of Trusted Care culture - advancing force readiness, elevating human performance and safeguarding the health of those who serve.