KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa — Twelve F-22A Raptors assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron, deployed here for training since January, have returned to their home station at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Six Raptors left Kadena early Sunday and the remaining half-dozen took off early Monday morning, according to a base release.

The aircraft were at Kadena in order to fulfill "U.S. security obligations" and training requirements, an 18th Wing news release said. The staggered departure dates were scheduled to reduce jet noise in the surrounding community.

It was the second deployment of the stealthy jets to Okinawa since 2007. About 250 maintenance and combat support personnel from the 27th Fighter Squadron accompanied the aircraft.

"We were able to integrate with different aircraft and different units, including the Japan Air Self-Defense Force," Lt. Col. Lansing Pilch, 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, was quoted in the release.

USFK seeking hosts for Korean studentsVolunteer families are needed to host Korean high school students during the U.S. Forces Korea Good Neighbor English Camp May 19-23.

Tenth grade students from Seoul, Pyeongtaek and Daegu will participate, and are selected in part based on their English-speaking ability.

Host families will provide lodging for four nights for students from Seoul and five nights for students from outside Seoul. Hosts must provide breakfast each day, two evening meals, and transport the students to meeting points on U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan in the morning and pick them up at night. Cots are available if needed.

For more details call the USFK Public Affairs office at 723-4685 or 723-7669, or e-mail paocr@korea.army.mil.

Swedish military drum corps tours S. KoreaThe Swedish Army Drum Corps will perform Friday at U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan as part of a tour in South Korea to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sweden and South Korea.

The 30- to 40-minute performances will be held at 1:20 p.m. at the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and at 5:30 p.m. at the Dragon Hill Lodge Garden.

The Drum Corps also will perform 6 p.m. Saturday at the Seoul National Theatre.

The 25-member band, founded in 1992, often plays for royal ceremonies in Sweden and at the Royal Palace in Stockholm during changing of the guard ceremonies.

Volunteers sought for school carnival dayCAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Zukeran Elementary School needs volunteers for a carnival-type field day 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday at the school.

Volunteers will help set up for the event, serve food, interact with students in classroom activities and help clean up, according to a Marine release.

Volunteers must sign in at Zukeran’s main office.

For more information call DSN 645-8159 or e-mail dawn.yates@usmc.mil.

Immunization clinic closed ThursdayCAMP LESTER, Okinawa — The immunization clinic at Camp Lester’s U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa will be closed Thursday, according to a hospital release.

Immunization services will be available at naval hospital branch clinics on other bases.

For more information or to make an appointment, call DSN 643-7441.

Migrated