Pacific Briefs: Navy names destroyer after slain SEAL

The Navy has named its newest destroyer after Lt. Michael Murphy, a SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in 2005 in Afghanistan.

Murphy led a four-man SEAL team that was tracking a high value target when they got into a fierce battle with close to 200 Taliban. Surrounded by Taliban fighters, Murphy exposed himself to enemy fire to call in for backup.

Despite being shot twice in the back, he completed the call. Murphy and two of his teammates died, and the backup team was shot down, but his actions allowed the surviving SEAL from the team to be rescued later. The Michael Murphy will be the 62nd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

Marines accused of breaking into tavern

GINOWAN, Okinawa — Two Marines assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma were in Okinawan police custody Thursday for breaking into a tavern near the air station’s main gate, according to a spokesman for Okinawa prefectural police.

Cpl. Andrew W. Jones, 23, and Lance Cpl. Christian Mackenzie Pons, 20, were found sitting at a table at the pub about 12:30 a.m. when the owner returned from an errand and found the wooden entrance door broken, the police said. Police officers responded to a call from the owner and arrested the Marines, who were under the influence of alcohol, the spokesman said.

They reportedly told investigators they did not remember how they got into the tavern or why they were there. The Marines violated the midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew for servicemembers, said Master Sgt. Charles Albrecht, a Marine spokesman. He said “it is too early to tell” whether they will be punished for breaking the curfew.

Kadena braces for typhoon Rammasun

Just one day after completing a typhoon readiness exercise, 18th Wing Weather Flight officials at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa began bracing Thursday for the real thing. Rammasun, the third numbered and second named storm of the northwest Pacific’s tropical cyclone season, strengthened into a tropical storm overnight Wednesday, packing sustained 46 mph winds and 58 mph gusts. The slow-moving storm began curving north Thursday as it rumbled about just west of Palau and east of Mindanao in the Philippines.

“We’re still trying to get a feel for it,” said 18th Wing Weather Flight commander Capt. J. Brandon Alexander. “Current forecasts call for the storm to not be close enough to directly impact us [but] we’ll see higher winds than we normally would.”

Okinawa could receive gusts up to 40 mph if Rammasun continues to follow Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts, which project the storm to curve well east of Okinawa by Monday evening. Rammasun is Thai for “God of Thunder.”

Base events to observe Asian-Pacific heritage

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Several activities will mark the annual Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month at Yokota.

The popular cultural show will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17 in the Yokota High School gymnasium. The sights, sounds and flavors of Japan, South Korea, Samoa, Hawaii, Vietnam, Guam and the Philippines will be featured in an array of food, dances and martial-arts demonstrations.

Other events on tap this month include:

• A volleyball tournament Saturday at the Samurai Fitness Center. It’s scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Ms. Kaneko at DSN 225-5473 for more information.
• A dining facility cultural meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 21 at the Samurai Cafe.
• A luncheon at the Yokota Enlisted Club from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 28. For more information on the cultural show, contact Master Sgt. Darren Lee at DSN 225-7009.

Sidewalk-sale planners promote big savings

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Yokota’s Arts & Crafts Center holds its annual sidewalk sale from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Customers can save up to 40 percent on selected items, organizers said.

For details, contact the Arts & Crafts Center at DSN 225-9044.

Summer-hire program to take applications

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The 374th Airlift Wing’s summer hire program will accept applications from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Monday through Friday.

The program, which runs from June 30 to Aug. 8, is for command-sponsored family members and pays $5.15 per hour. Most positions are full time (40 hours per week), but there are some part-time openings (20 hours per week).

Applicants must be at least 14 years old on June 30 and no older than 23. Applicants 21-23 must be enrolled in college on a full-time basis during the regular school year. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement.

Application packets are available at the 374th Force Support Squadron’s Civilian Personnel Element in Building 316, room 217.

To get one online or for more information, send an e-mail to yokotastaffing@yokota.af.mil.

Yokota to host retiree appreciation day

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Military retirees from across the Kanto Plain are invited to attend the Yokota Military Retiree Appreciation Day on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. at the Yokota Enlisted Club.

The event is open to military retirees of all ranks and branches, their spouses and survivors.

According to U.S. Forces Japan officials, the day is to show appreciation to retirees for their service by providing assistance in matters including finance, legal issues and health care.

A Veterans Affairs representative from Yokosuka Naval Base will be in attendance to answer questions about VA benefits.

And members of Yokota’s 374th Security Forces Squadron will be registering individuals in the new Defense Biometrics Identification System.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9555, American Legion Post 2222 and the Yokota Military Retirees Association also will attend.

For more information, contact Rod Bradish at DSN 225-8324 or 042-552-2510, ext. 58324. He can be reached via e-mail at rao@yokota.af.mil.