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Seth Robson

An RQ-4B Global Hawk aircraft that lifted off for the first time Thursday, April 15, 2021, from Palmdale, Calif., is the first of three that will be operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.<br>Northrop Grumman
An RQ-4B Global Hawk aircraft that lifted off for the first time Thursday, April 15, 2021, from Palmdale, Calif., is the first of three that will be operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.<br>Northrop Grumman

First of Japan’s Global Hawk surveillance drones takes its inaugural flight

The drones will be deployed to Misawa Air Base, in the country’s northeast, sometime this year or later, a spokesman for Japan’s Defense Ministry said Monday.

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A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing takes off from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 25, 2020. <br>Jacob Wrightsman/U.S. Air Force
A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing takes off from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 25, 2020. <br>Jacob Wrightsman/U.S. Air Force

Four Barksdale-based B-52s arrive on Guam for bomber task force mission

Four planes from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., will operate in the Indo-Pacific and support Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with joint forces and partners.

Navy veteran Andre Shelby, seen here in 2011, will compete against 15-20 other archers in a qualification tournament next month that will see three selected to travel to Japan with the U.S. Paralympic team.<br>Andre McIntyre/U.S. Navy
Navy veteran Andre Shelby, seen here in 2011, will compete against 15-20 other archers in a qualification tournament next month that will see three selected to travel to Japan with the U.S. Paralympic team.<br>Andre McIntyre/U.S. Navy

Navy veteran hopes to repeat his Paralympic archery success in Tokyo

Andre Shelby, 54, of Jeffersonville, Ind., will compete against 15-20 other archers in a qualification tournament next month that will see three selected to travel to Japan with the U.S. Paralympic team.

Adm. Philip Davidson, outgoing leader of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, shown here in Tokyo on Monday, April 12, 2021, was honored during ceremonies this week in Japan and South Korea.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes
Adm. Philip Davidson, outgoing leader of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, shown here in Tokyo on Monday, April 12, 2021, was honored during ceremonies this week in Japan and South Korea.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes

Outgoing INDOPACOM commander receives another top honor, this time from South Korea

South Korea gave a prestigious medal to the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command a day after Japan presented him with its third-highest award.

The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Philip Davidson, reviews Japanese troops outside the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, Monday, April 12, 2021. <br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes
The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Philip Davidson, reviews Japanese troops outside the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, Monday, April 12, 2021. <br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes

Japanese emperor honors INDOPACOM commander with Order of the Rising Sun

The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun was presented to Adm. Phil Davidson by Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi.

A U.S. Marine pins the corporal rank on a Philippine Marine during the annual Balikatan exercise at Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, April 4, 2019.<br>Elizabeth Johnson/U.S. Marine Corps
A U.S. Marine pins the corporal rank on a Philippine Marine during the annual Balikatan exercise at Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, April 4, 2019.<br>Elizabeth Johnson/U.S. Marine Corps

US, Philippines restart Balikatan military drills amid sea dispute with China

The annual Balikatan drills, which run through April 23, involve 736 Philippines troops and 225 U.S. service members.

Navy wives Amy Dobbins, left, and Sarah Murphy show off the three installments of their "Good Morning Military" children's book series at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Thursday, April 8, 2021. <br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
Navy wives Amy Dobbins, left, and Sarah Murphy show off the three installments of their "Good Morning Military" children's book series at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Thursday, April 8, 2021. <br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

Navy spouses add Guam, Okinawa to ‘Good Morning Military’ children’s book series

Marines storm a beach, fighter jets line up on an airfield and troops parachute from an aircraft in the latest installments of a book series for children living in military communities.

Seaman James Bailey of Greenville, S.C., stands watch on the bridge of the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain in the Taiwan Strait, Wednesday, April 7, 2021.<br>Jeremy Graham/U.S. Navy
Seaman James Bailey of Greenville, S.C., stands watch on the bridge of the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain in the Taiwan Strait, Wednesday, April 7, 2021.<br>Jeremy Graham/U.S. Navy

VIDEO

USS John S. McCain returns to Taiwan Strait for Navy’s fourth transit there this year

John Kirby described the USS John S. McCain's transit as a freedom-of-navigation operation and not a response to any specific event or action by another country.

A service member boards a bus to Narita International Airport at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 1, 2021. <br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
A service member boards a bus to Narita International Airport at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 1, 2021. <br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

US military help desk closes permanently at Narita airport outside Tokyo

Closing the desk saves the military $50,000 annually, a U.S. Naval Forces Japan spokeswoman said.

The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth, trailed by a Chinese guided-missile frigate, sails near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, May 11, 2015. <br>Conor Minto/U.S. Navy
The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth, trailed by a Chinese guided-missile frigate, sails near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, May 11, 2015. <br>Conor Minto/U.S. Navy

Spat continues over hundreds of Chinese vessels parked in Philippine waters

Diplomats from the island nation protested last month after 220 Chinese fishing vessels were spotted by the Philippine coast guard near Julian Felipe Reef in the Spratly Islands.

Vessels from France, the United States, Australia, India and Japan kicked off the three-day Exercise La Perouse in the Bay of Bengal on Monday, April 5, 2021.<br>U.S. Navy
Vessels from France, the United States, Australia, India and Japan kicked off the three-day Exercise La Perouse in the Bay of Bengal on Monday, April 5, 2021.<br>U.S. Navy

French forces ramp up their Indo-Pacific presence with multinational training

The French navy is drilling with U.S. and allied forces in the Indian Ocean as French soldiers prepare to train alongside U.S. Marines and troops in Japan.

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A soars over Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 2, 2017. <br>Brittany Chase/U.S. Air Force
A Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A soars over Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 2, 2017. <br>Brittany Chase/U.S. Air Force

Japanese F-35 squadron could help defend Senkaku Islands claimed by China

F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters could fly out of Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki prefecture, Kyodo News reported.

The documentary film "Wounded Heroes," now available on several streaming platforms, recounts veterans' experiences with alternative treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder.<br>Michael Gier
The documentary film "Wounded Heroes," now available on several streaming platforms, recounts veterans' experiences with alternative treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder.<br>Michael Gier

Film highlights alternative PTSD treatments for vets

The documentary “Wounded Heroes” includes interviews with about two dozen veterans and first responders who detail their struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Space Force members, from left, Senior Master Sgt. Marivic Olivera and Capt. Jessica Wong, shown here with Air Force Capt. Laura Marshall on March 24, 2021, signed up at Yokota Air Base, Japan.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes
Space Force members, from left, Senior Master Sgt. Marivic Olivera and Capt. Jessica Wong, shown here with Air Force Capt. Laura Marshall on March 24, 2021, signed up at Yokota Air Base, Japan.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes

'We’re looked at as pioneers': New Space Force guardians from Yokota Air Base, Japan, will depart for other bases

The Space Force, established as a military service branch in December 2019, stood up a squadron at Kamp Kinser, Okinawa, in September — but it isn’t planning on stationing a dedicated unit in Tokyo, according to the Air Force.

U.S. Strategic Command posted a garbled tweet Monday.<br>Twitter
U.S. Strategic Command posted a garbled tweet Monday.<br>Twitter

Unusual tweet by Strategic Command spurs comedic reactions on social media

The unusual message from the U.S. Strategic Command Twitter account received more than 12,000 likes, 9,000 retweets and hundreds of comments less than an hour after it was posted.

This photo collage published by North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper Friday, March 26, 2021, purports to show the launch of a "newly-developed, new type" of missile the previous day. <br>Rodong Sinmun
This photo collage published by North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper Friday, March 26, 2021, purports to show the launch of a "newly-developed, new type" of missile the previous day. <br>Rodong Sinmun

North Korea says recent launch tested a 'new type' of ballistic missile

The launches come less than a week after Pyongyang fired multiple short-range missiles in the wake of a visit to Seoul by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Air Force veteran Jim Reischl is pictured with his then-girlfriend Nguyen Thi Hanh, during his tour to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, from 1969-70.<br>Jim Reischl
Air Force veteran Jim Reischl is pictured with his then-girlfriend Nguyen Thi Hanh, during his tour to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, from 1969-70.<br>Jim Reischl

‘Finding people is easy:’ DNA databases help unite American veterans with their long-lost children

Vietnamese and Filipino children are finding their GI dads through online searches.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un chairs a political meeting Sunday, June 7, 2020, in this photo released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.<br>Korean Central News Agency
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un chairs a political meeting Sunday, June 7, 2020, in this photo released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.<br>Korean Central News Agency

Projectiles fired by North Korea were ballistic missiles, US and Japan say

The launches come less than a week after Pyongyang fired multiple short-range missiles in the wake of a visit to Seoul by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Whitsun Reef, also known as Julian Felipe Reef, is part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. <br>NASA
Whitsun Reef, also known as Julian Felipe Reef, is part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. <br>NASA

US sounds support for Philippines in dispute over loitering Chinese fishing vessels

The Philippines protested the presence earlier this month of over 220 Chinese fishing vessels spotted by the Philippine coast guard near Julian Felipe Reef in the Spratly Islands.

A military family was checked for smoke inhalation after a fire destroyed their home at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. <br>Lydia Christy
A military family was checked for smoke inhalation after a fire destroyed their home at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. <br>Lydia Christy

Fire at Air Force base in Japan guts home, destroys family’s possessions

A spokesman for Yokota Air Base's 374th Airlift Wing declined to provide further details about Tuesday's fire, including a description of the damage or the fire’s origin.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks at a press conference in Seoul with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their South Korean counterparts, Minister of Defense Suh Wook and Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, Thursday, March 18, 2021. <br>South Korea Ministry of Foreign
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks at a press conference in Seoul with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their South Korean counterparts, Minister of Defense Suh Wook and Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, Thursday, March 18, 2021. <br>South Korea Ministry of Foreign

North Korea, denuclearization top agenda as Austin, Blinken talk with counterparts in Seoul

Asked about the impact of scaled back military exercises on the peninsula between the U.S. and South Korea, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the military is always looking for ways to make training better.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin walks with the commander of U.S. Forces Korea, Army Gen. Robert Abrams, after arriving at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Wednesday, March 17, 2021. <br>Matthew Keeler/Stars and Stripes
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin walks with the commander of U.S. Forces Korea, Army Gen. Robert Abrams, after arriving at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Wednesday, March 17, 2021. <br>Matthew Keeler/Stars and Stripes

Austin, Blinken arrive in South Korea for talks expected to cover North’s nuclear ambitions

North Korea’s nuclear arsenal will likely be the focus of talks between the U.S. secretaries of Defense and State and their South Korean counterparts Wednesday and Thursday in Seoul.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin watches Japanese troops parade in front of the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, Tuesday, March 16, 2021.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin watches Japanese troops parade in front of the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, Tuesday, March 16, 2021.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes

Austin in Tokyo: US-Japan alliance will stay stronger than any adversary

The U.S. and Japan can “outmatch any competitor” in the years ahead, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told his Japanese counterpart Tuesday.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives at Yokota Air Base for his first visit to Japan as Pentagon chief, Monday, March 15, 2021. <br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives at Yokota Air Base for his first visit to Japan as Pentagon chief, Monday, March 15, 2021. <br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

Austin arrives in Tokyo for talks expected to include cooperation on China, North Korea

Talks in Tokyo Tuesday should include the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands; North Korean nuclear weapons; vaccine diplomacy to counter Chinese moves; and the recent military coup in Myanmar.

Japanese paratroopers jump from an Air Force C-130J Super Hercules at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Tuesday, March 9, 2021.<br>Yasuo Osakabe/U.S. Air Force
Japanese paratroopers jump from an Air Force C-130J Super Hercules at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Tuesday, March 9, 2021.<br>Yasuo Osakabe/U.S. Air Force

Super Hercs and paratroopers pull off ‘biggest US-Japan airborne operation in history’

Photos of the training, dubbed Airborne 21, show paratroopers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force jumping from a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to Yokota Air Base.

Master Sgt. Joshua Brown, who flew eight Operation Tomodachi missions as a C-130H flight crew chief, attends a ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Thursday, March 11, 2021, marking 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake. <br>Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes
Master Sgt. Joshua Brown, who flew eight Operation Tomodachi missions as a C-130H flight crew chief, attends a ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Thursday, March 11, 2021, marking 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake. <br>Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes

Bells, sirens and moments of silence at US bases in Japan mark 10 years since earthquake and tsunami

Tributes were a reminder that more than 20,000 American troops worked alongside their Japanese allies to respond to the disaster.

The commander of U.S. Forces Korea, Army Gen. Robert Abrams, speaks about the coronavirus pandemic at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, April 28, 2020. <br>Mackenzie Mendez/U.S. Army
The commander of U.S. Forces Korea, Army Gen. Robert Abrams, speaks about the coronavirus pandemic at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, April 28, 2020. <br>Mackenzie Mendez/U.S. Army

US Forces Korea commander was underwhelmed by North Korea's most recent missile display

U.S. Forces Korea commander Army Gen. Robert Abrams, in written testimony to the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday, said North Korea’s claims aren’t evidence of a viable nuclear weapon.

American soldiers train at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Paju, South Korea, March 21, 2017. <br>Stars and Stripes
American soldiers train at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Paju, South Korea, March 21, 2017. <br>Stars and Stripes

South Korea greenlights 13.9% spending boost for hosting American troops

South Korea will pay $1.03 billion this year, up from $910 million in 2019, to support 28,500 U.S. service members there, according to a ministry statement.

Skiers and snowboarders gather at Mount Naeba in Niigata prefecture, Japan, April 1, 2019. <br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes
Skiers and snowboarders gather at Mount Naeba in Niigata prefecture, Japan, April 1, 2019. <br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes

Serious snowboarding injury spurs Air Force safety warning in Japan

The Air Force is alerting service members to exercise caution in the Japanese mountains after an airman was seriously injured during a recent snowboarding trip.

Representatives from the United States and South Korea negotiate the military cost-sharing agreement in Washington, D.C., in this undated photo from South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. <br>South Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Representatives from the United States and South Korea negotiate the military cost-sharing agreement in Washington, D.C., in this undated photo from South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. <br>South Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs

US and South Korea reach ‘agreement in principle’ on defense cost-sharing

The United States and South Korea have agreed on a new cost-sharing agreement for stationing 28,500 U.S. troops on the peninsula, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry announced Monday.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks with reporters inside the Pentagon briefing room, Feb. 19, 2021.<br>Jackie Sanders/U.S. Air Force
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks with reporters inside the Pentagon briefing room, Feb. 19, 2021.<br>Jackie Sanders/U.S. Air Force

Austin, Blinken are planning Biden administration’s first visit to Japan, reports say

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are planning March 15-17 talks in Tokyo with their Japanese counterparts, reports said.