A van departs Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo while a recently installed tire shredder system that has received complaints undergoes maintenance, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020.

The new shredders, which impale automobile tires in the event a driver attempts to back up or enter through the exit lane, are not popular with some drivers at Yokota Air Base.

Sailors may now wear an easier-to-recognize rank insignia on their camouflage working uniforms, according to a recent Navy administrative change.

Navy authorizes easier-to-recognize rank insignia for camouflage uniforms

The slip-on rank insignia now allowed for camouflage working uniforms is the same one that sailors wear on the cold weather parka and can be easily swapped between uniforms.

More than 150 service members and their families stayed overnight at the North Gym at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni after their Patriot Express flight was struck by a bird Oct. 24, 2020.

Bird strike in Japan forces overnight stay for Patriot Express passengers

More than 150 Patriot Express passengers and 10 pets were forced to quarantine at an air station gym overnight after a bird strike.

The littoral combat ship USS Detroit moves at high speed during operations in the Atlantic Ocean on Nov. 17, 2019.

Report says broken USS Detroit is heading home from Caribbean

The littoral combat ship USS Detroit is making its way to its Florida homeport after a key piece of its propulsion system malfunctioned, according to a news report.

A volunteer from the 374th Airlift Wing's security forces squadron, left, works the front desk for the USO at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Yokota security forces airmen takeover USO for a day and host Mario Kart tournament

Twelve members of the 374th Security Forces Squadron took over the USO at Yokota’s Yujo Community Center as part of a new outreach program, Adopt The USO, that puts the clientele in charge.

A sailor uses video conferencing to lead a virtual physical training session from Coronado, Calif., May 1, 2020.

Navy cancels fall fitness tests, details changes for Senior Enlisted Academy students

Sailors are spared their fall round of physical fitness tests, and professional education for senior enlisted sailors is being revamped because of the coronavirus, the Navy announced Tuesday.

Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Passero, 49, and Pvt. Courtney Pearson, 19, cut a cake in celebration of the Army's 245th birthday aboard the Army Vessel Harpers Ferry at Yokohama North Dock, Japan, Sunday, June 14, 2020.

Far from home and on lockdown, Army mariners celebrate service’s 245th birthday in Japan

Rain and drizzle did little to dampen the spirits of 14 mariners aboard the U.S. Army Vessel Harpers Ferry who celebrated the service’s 245th birthday Sunday.

A soldier hurls a 10-pound medicine ball during a combat fitness test competition at Camp Zama, Japan, Monday, June 8, 2020.

Army Week fitness events lift spirits of Japan-based soldiers during pandemic

Army Week, an annual series of events that marks the Army’s birthday, was different for troops in Japan because of the coronavirus pandemic.

‘You’ve been Beefaroni’d’: Mysterious group spreads smiles across Yokota one can at a time

The aim of the Beefaroni Bandits, a group of service members and civilians at Yokota Air Base, is to raise morale and have some fun during the ongoing restrictions aimed at reducing the coronavirus’ spread.

Dungeons & Dragons, which first appeared in 1974, now counts about 13.7 million players worldwide.

Pandemic pushes more Dungeons & Dragons players, including active-duty troops, into virtual realms

“I haven’t had any real social interactions outside of work," said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Thomas Smith, adding playing Dungeons and Dragons online "helps me maintain my sanity with all of the nonsense going on."