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Seth Robson

An RQ-4 Global Hawk from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, arrives at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, May 30, 2020.<br>Juan Torres/U.S. Air Force
An RQ-4 Global Hawk from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, arrives at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, May 30, 2020.<br>Juan Torres/U.S. Air Force

Global Hawks from Guam land in Tokyo for summer stay

Unmanned RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance drones began a summer rotation to the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo on Saturday.

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Sailors at Sasebo Naval Base demonstrate social distancing at a beer garden that opened outside the base enlisted club on Friday, May 29, 2020.<br>Shirley Tatto/US Navy
Sailors at Sasebo Naval Base demonstrate social distancing at a beer garden that opened outside the base enlisted club on Friday, May 29, 2020.<br>Shirley Tatto/US Navy

Sasebo beer garden ends monthslong drought for military drinkers in Japan

Sailors at Sasebo Naval Base toasted each other in a makeshift, outdoor beer garden Friday and Saturday, marking a return to social drinking for troops in Japan after months of coronavirus restrictions.

Spc. Brittany Farley takes the temperature of a man entering Camp Zama, Japan, March 31, 2020.<br>Winifred Brown/U.S. Army
Spc. Brittany Farley takes the temperature of a man entering Camp Zama, Japan, March 31, 2020.<br>Winifred Brown/U.S. Army

US Army Japan greenlights limited social gatherings; on-post dine-in options to begin Monday

U.S. military bases in the Tokyo metro area remain under a public health emergency declared April 15 by U.S. Forces Japan.

An RQ-4 Global Hawk is displayed at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Sept. 14, 2019.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
An RQ-4 Global Hawk is displayed at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, Sept. 14, 2019.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

Global Hawk surveillance drones will return to Tokyo to avoid Guam’s typhoon season

The Air Force is sending unmanned RQ-4 Global Hawks to Tokyo again this summer.

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Wednesday, May 27, 2020.<br>River Bruce/U.S. Air Force
A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Wednesday, May 27, 2020.<br>River Bruce/U.S. Air Force

Two B-1B Lancers train with 16 Japanese fighter jets over Sea of Japan

“The U.S. steadfast commitment remains unchanged and integration missions are a way for the U.S. to demonstrate that commitment,” said 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander Lt. Col. Ryan Stallsworth.

The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning is pictured in July 2014.<br>Wikimedia Commons
The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning is pictured in July 2014.<br>Wikimedia Commons

China may be preparing for first dual-carrier drills in South China Sea, reports say

The Chinese carriers Liaoning and Shandong have been conducting combat readiness training in the Yellow Sea this month ahead of the deployment, the South China Morning Post reported Sunday.

Australian army Capt. Chris Moroney, 32, of Brisbane, Australia, wore a U.S. flag patch on his helmet during an amphibious Talisman Sabre drill near Bowen, Australia, Monday, July 22, 2019.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes
Australian army Capt. Chris Moroney, 32, of Brisbane, Australia, wore a U.S. flag patch on his helmet during an amphibious Talisman Sabre drill near Bowen, Australia, Monday, July 22, 2019.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes

Marines trim Australia rotational force to 1,200 Marines due to coronavirus

Fifty-four Marines who arrived in Darwin in an advance party in March have already gone through a 14-day quarantine and begun training with their Australian counterparts.

A group of C-130J Super Hercules cargo planes from the 374th Airlift Wing take part in an elephant walk at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Thursday, May 21, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
A group of C-130J Super Hercules cargo planes from the 374th Airlift Wing take part in an elephant walk at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Thursday, May 21, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

Air Force Ospreys and Super Hercs fly together over Tokyo during Samurai Surge drill

The Samurai Surge drill, which last took place in 2018, required coordination between the 353rd Special Operations Group out of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and Yokota’s 374th Operations Group.

Parts of Naval Base Guam are seen from the air on Aug. 19, 2010. <br>Peter Lewis/U.S. Navy
Parts of Naval Base Guam are seen from the air on Aug. 19, 2010. <br>Peter Lewis/U.S. Navy

VA disputes Yale-linked report, says no evidence Agent Orange was used on Guam

The Department of Veterans Affairs is pushing back against a recent report that says veterans who served on Guam between 1962 and 1975 were likely exposed to Agent Orange.

Staff Sgt. Vincent Sarver, an entomologist on Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, holds two Asian giant hornet carcasses, Monday, May 18, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
Staff Sgt. Vincent Sarver, an entomologist on Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, holds two Asian giant hornet carcasses, Monday, May 18, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

‘Murder hornets’ a common challenge for US military pest control workers in Japan

Exterminators at Yokota Air Base have responded to several Asian giant hornet sightings in recent weeks.

A U.S. Army Huey helicopter sprays Agent Orange herbicide and defoliant in this undated photo from the Vietnam War.<br>Wikimedia Commons
A U.S. Army Huey helicopter sprays Agent Orange herbicide and defoliant in this undated photo from the Vietnam War.<br>Wikimedia Commons

Agent Orange may have sickened Vietnam-era veterans on Guam, Yale-linked report says

Veterans who served on Guam between 1962 and 1975 may have valid claims to service-related disabilities as a result of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides, according to a recent report.

LaDonna Spivey, a personal trainer and volunteer for the USO at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, leads a workout via Facebook Live on Thursday, May 14, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
LaDonna Spivey, a personal trainer and volunteer for the USO at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, leads a workout via Facebook Live on Thursday, May 14, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

USO’s online programs prove popular with troops during coronavirus lockdowns

“I think we are busier now than before the pandemic,” Yokota USO manager Mardie Marqueze-Velasquez said Wednesday. “We can’t reach them physically, but we have great teams across the globe of volunteers and staff.”

A jogger passes the shuttered entrance to Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Japan, Tuesday, May 12, 2020.<br>Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes
A jogger passes the shuttered entrance to Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Japan, Tuesday, May 12, 2020.<br>Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes

Disneyland and new tattoos: Troops dream of post-coronavirus freedom in Japan and South Korea

With coronavirus case numbers dropping and attractions reopening off base in Japan and South Korea, American service members can dare to dream of the freedom they enjoyed before the pandemic.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Del Rio stands lookout as the littoral combat ship USS Montgomery arrives at Changi Naval Base in Singapore, July 6, 2019.<br>Tristan Barth/U.S. Navy
Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Del Rio stands lookout as the littoral combat ship USS Montgomery arrives at Changi Naval Base in Singapore, July 6, 2019.<br>Tristan Barth/U.S. Navy

Coronavirus cases surge in Singapore, home to US Navy littoral combat ships and logistics hub

The new outbreak could affect 1,000 service members, civilians and their families in Singapore serving with Task Force 73 and Command Logistics Group Western Pacific.

Asian Flu patients are cared for inside a sports arena in Sweden in 1957.<br>Wikimedia Commons
Asian Flu patients are cared for inside a sports arena in Sweden in 1957.<br>Wikimedia Commons

Military seeks to learn lessons from coronavirus, just as it did during Asian Flu pandemic

According to experts, military forces are well placed to contain diseases because of their long history of pragmatic approaches to protecting troops from sexually transmitted diseases and other infections.

Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Osan Air Base, South Korea, advertised new purchase limits for sanitizer products in Facebook posts Thursday, May 7, 2020.<br>Matthew Keeler/Stars and Stripes
Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Osan Air Base, South Korea, advertised new purchase limits for sanitizer products in Facebook posts Thursday, May 7, 2020.<br>Matthew Keeler/Stars and Stripes

Some base exchange stores in Asia are allowing customers to buy more sanitizer products

Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores at Yokota Air Base and Osan Air Base, which had been limiting customers to one sanitizer item each, have raised the number of the products people can buy.

Cpl. Isaiah Fraser, a data system administrator with Marine Rotational Force — Darwin, shoots an M4 carbine at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29, 2020.<br>Natalie Greenwood/U.S. Marine Corps
Cpl. Isaiah Fraser, a data system administrator with Marine Rotational Force — Darwin, shoots an M4 carbine at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29, 2020.<br>Natalie Greenwood/U.S. Marine Corps

Marines restart annual Australia rotation paused by coronavirus pandemic

The Darwin force, which trains in Australia during the Northern Hemisphere summer, has built up slowly since an initial contingent of 250 Marines hit the beach there in 2012.

Airmen with the Pacific Air Forces postal squadron process mail at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 17, 2020. <br>Gabrielle Spalding/U.S. Air Force
Airmen with the Pacific Air Forces postal squadron process mail at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 17, 2020. <br>Gabrielle Spalding/U.S. Air Force

‘You can only watch so much Netflix’: Military leaders in Japan worry about troops’ mental health during pandemic

Most service members, their families and civilian employees attached to bases in Japan have adjusted to restricted movements — but leaders are concerned about potential impacts to mental health.

Amphibious-assault craft approach Pyramid Rock Beach at Marine Corps Base Hawaii during a Rim of the Pacific drill on July 29, 2018. <br>Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes
Amphibious-assault craft approach Pyramid Rock Beach at Marine Corps Base Hawaii during a Rim of the Pacific drill on July 29, 2018. <br>Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes

Navy’s multinational Rim of the Pacific drills are a go for this summer, but will be at-sea only

The world’s largest international naval exercise will go ahead in waters off Hawaii this summer, but participating forces will stay at sea during the drills due to concerns about the coronavirus.

Army and Air Force Exchange Service shoppers pushed April online sales to more than double the April 2019 figures.<br>Army and Air Force Exchange Service
Army and Air Force Exchange Service shoppers pushed April online sales to more than double the April 2019 figures.<br>Army and Air Force Exchange Service

Online sales boom for US military exchange stores amid coronavirus restrictions

“April’s [online] sales are currently 157% higher than this time last year,” Army and Air Force Exchange Service spokesman Chris Ward said in an email Tuesday.

The 2018 Department of Defense Suicide Event Report, released Monday, April 27, 2020, presents data collected by the services about suicides and suicide attempts among service members during that calendar year. The data included 139 suicides in the Army, 60 in the Air Force, 68 in the Navy and 58 in the Marine Corps. <br>Sarah Cherry/U.S. Marine Corps
The 2018 Department of Defense Suicide Event Report, released Monday, April 27, 2020, presents data collected by the services about suicides and suicide attempts among service members during that calendar year. The data included 139 suicides in the Army, 60 in the Air Force, 68 in the Navy and 58 in the Marine Corps. <br>Sarah Cherry/U.S. Marine Corps

Defense Department report reveals military occupations with highest suicide rates

The Department of Defense Suicide Event Report presents data collected by the services about suicides and suicide attempts among service members during the 2018 calendar year.

Air Force Col. Doyle Pompa of Albuquerque, N.M., prepares to watch a drive-in movie with his wife, Gina, daughter Helena and son Rocco at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Saturday, April 25, 2020.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes
Air Force Col. Doyle Pompa of Albuquerque, N.M., prepares to watch a drive-in movie with his wife, Gina, daughter Helena and son Rocco at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Saturday, April 25, 2020.<br>Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes

Air Force revives drive-in movies for service members isolating amid pandemic in Tokyo

Yokota Air Base’s drive-in movie echoes trends in Germany and South Korea, where outdoor screenings have had a resurgence during the coronavirus pandemic.

Col. Lance Lewis, commander of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, shows Iwakuni city Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda the precautionary measures in place at the base to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, April 14, 2020.<br>Akeel Austin/U.S. Marine Corps
Col. Lance Lewis, commander of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, shows Iwakuni city Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda the precautionary measures in place at the base to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, April 14, 2020.<br>Akeel Austin/U.S. Marine Corps

Coronavirus case numbers are dropping at bases in Japan, USFJ commander says

Coronavirus case numbers are falling at U.S. bases in Japan and shallowing outside the wire, the commander of U.S. Forces Japan told military community members during a virtual town hall Friday.

Masahiko Yokomizo, a contracting officer representative, right, and Maj. Trent Bolte, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight commander, prepare a cherry tree for planting at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Friday, April 24, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
Masahiko Yokomizo, a contracting officer representative, right, and Maj. Trent Bolte, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight commander, prepare a cherry tree for planting at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Friday, April 24, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

Ornamental cherry tree replaces Yokota cedars blown over by violent typhoon last year

“We decided to go for something that will be sustainable longer term and not create a hazard,” said Maj. Trent Bolte, the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight commander.

Train passengers depart the Ome Line at Fussa, Japan, Thursday, April 23, 2020. Fussa borders Yokota Air Base, home of U.S. Forces Japan, 5th Air Force and the 374th Airlift Wing.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
Train passengers depart the Ome Line at Fussa, Japan, Thursday, April 23, 2020. Fussa borders Yokota Air Base, home of U.S. Forces Japan, 5th Air Force and the 374th Airlift Wing.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

City near home of US Forces Japan confirms its first case of coronavirus

Fussa announced the case on its website but provided no further details. The city of 58,400 on the outskirts of Tokyo prefecture is one of several distinct urban areas that surround Yokota Air Base, the home of U.S. Forces Japan.

Alcoholic beverages for sale at an exchange store at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Thursday, April 23, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
Alcoholic beverages for sale at an exchange store at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Thursday, April 23, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

Alcohol sales at exchange stores surged by 50% in March, AAFES spokesman says

“Alcohol sales across the retail industry have understandably seen increases as bars and restaurants have closed and demand has shifted to at home consumption,” said an Army and Air Force Exchange Service spokesman.

Spc. Brittany Farley takes the temperature of a man entering Camp Zama, Japan, March 31, 2020.<br>Winifred Brown/U.S. Army
Spc. Brittany Farley takes the temperature of a man entering Camp Zama, Japan, March 31, 2020.<br>Winifred Brown/U.S. Army

Four Japanese workers test positive for coronavirus at US Army garrison near Tokyo

U.S. Army Japan has confirmed six coronavirus cases at Camp Zama in all, five Japanese workers and the dependent of a U.S. civilian worker.

A C-130J Super Hercules touches down on a taxiway during assault landing training late last month at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 26, 2020.<br>Yasuo Osakabe/U.S. Air Force
A C-130J Super Hercules touches down on a taxiway during assault landing training late last month at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 26, 2020.<br>Yasuo Osakabe/U.S. Air Force

Coronavirus no barrier to training for Air Force crews in Tokyo

Yokota airmen flew over the weekend and have conducted a variety of training in recent weeks — even as commanders have tightened restrictions on troop movements and required social distancing and facemasks in many facilities.

Smokers practice social distancing at a smoking area outside the main train station in Fussa, Japan, Friday, April 17, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes
Smokers practice social distancing at a smoking area outside the main train station in Fussa, Japan, Friday, April 17, 2020.<br>Theron Godbold/Stars and Stripes

City near home of US Forces Japan has reported zero coronavirus cases — one of the few in Tokyo

A city bordering the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo is among the few in a prefecture hard-hit by the coronavirus that has yet to report a resident infected by the disease.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, shown here July 8, 2019, at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, on April 15, 2020, expanded a public health emergency to include all U.S. bases in Japan.<br>Naoto Anazawa/U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, shown here July 8, 2019, at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, on April 15, 2020, expanded a public health emergency to include all U.S. bases in Japan.<br>Naoto Anazawa/U.S. Air Force

USFJ commander expands public health emergency to all US bases in Japan

The commander of U.S. Forces Japan on Wednesday declared a public health emergency for all U.S. military installations in Japan, expanding an earlier order that covered only the area in and around Tokyo.

A Navy MH-60S Knighthawk, Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk, Navy MQ-4C Triton, Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses and KC-135 Stratotankers perform an "elephant walk" at Andersen Air Force Base on Monday, April 13, 2020.<br>Michael S. Murphy/U.S. Air Force
A Navy MH-60S Knighthawk, Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk, Navy MQ-4C Triton, Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses and KC-135 Stratotankers perform an "elephant walk" at Andersen Air Force Base on Monday, April 13, 2020.<br>Michael S. Murphy/U.S. Air Force

‘Elephant walk’ on Guam served as timely US airpower demonstration, defense expert says

With the USS Theodore Roosevelt sidelined nearby due to the coronavirus, the U.S. military on Guam exhibited a reminder of its deep bench this week.