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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 1d

The Okinawa Military Housing Office has delayed repair work on spalled concrete at housing towers on this Marine Corps base after discovering asbestos in some balconies, according to the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base.

Asbestos found in cracking balconies at Okinawa Marine base; repairs pushed to late fall

The Okinawa Military Housing Office has delayed repair work on spalled concrete at housing towers after discovering asbestos in some balconies.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 2d

U.S. service members in Japan were looking for low-interest loans and visiting food banks this week as an end to the 9-day-old federal government shutdown appeared nowhere in sight.

US service members in Japan making plans to weather lengthening government shutdown

U.S. service members in Japan were looking for low-interest loans and visiting food banks as an end to the 9-day-old federal government shutdown appeared nowhere in sight.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 4d

One week into a federal government shutdown, service members, Defense Department civilian employees and their families in Japan and South Korea were taking stock, and asking how much longer.

Rent, groceries on minds of US military families in Asia Pacific as government shutdown continues

Americans with the U.S. military in the Pacific are concerned about how they will afford groceries and rent if the shutdown continues.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 5d

A U.S. Air Force tiltrotor aircraft made a precautionary landing at a Japan Air Self-Defense Force base in central Japan last week, according to the service and Japanese officials.

Air Force Osprey makes precautionary landing at Japanese air base

A U.S. Air Force tiltrotor aircraft assigned to Yokota Air Base made a precautionary landing at a Japan Air Self-Defense Force base.

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Reposted by Brian McElhiney

Stars and Stripes @starsandstripes.bsky.social · 8d

The federal government shutdown is bringing the curtain down on annual events at U.S. bases in Japan and South Korea, with several homecoming games and community festivals either canceled outright or scaled back. (from @alexmwilson.bsky.social & @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social)

Shutdown brings curtain down on homecoming, festivals on overseas bases in Japan and Korea

Homecoming games and festivals at U.S. bases in Japan and South Korea are either canceled or scaled back due to the federal government shutdown.

www.stripes.com

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 8d

Students, teachers and staff at Defense Department schools on Okinawa will get back the 20 minutes tacked onto their school days this year, according to a notice sent to parents Friday.

After just weeks, DODEA scraps extended schedule for schools on Okinawa

Department of Defense Education Activity-Pacific reversed its decision to extend the school day on Okinawa.

www.stripes.com

Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 8d

Work on a new Marine Corps airfield in northern Okinawa has resumed after a four-month pause due to weather concerns, with no further construction delays expected, according to Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

Work on Marine Corps airfield in northern Okinawa resumes after 4-month pause

Construction on a new Marine Corps airfield in northern Okinawa has resumed after a four-month pause due to weather concerns, with no further delays expected.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 9d

Before her death at the hands of her husband last year, Jessica “Jesse” Arguinzoni Olsen was an avid learner and a beloved substitute teacher at a naval base in Japan, her sister said.

Navy spouse slain in ‘crime of passion’ taught special education students in Japan

Jessica “Jesse” Arguinzoni Olsen, a Navy spouse who was slain in ‘crime of passion’ was a special education substitute teacher to students in Japan

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 10d

U.S. military police arrested four U.S. service members during the patrol “for violations of the U.S. Forces Japan Liberty Order,” USFJ spokesman Col. John Severns said by email Wednesday.

Military police on Okinawa see ‘night and day’ progress after latest joint patrol

U.S. military police detained at least five service members during their most recent joint patrol of a nightlife hotspot on Okinawa.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 12d

U.S. military police detained at least five service members during their most recent joint patrol of a nightlife hotspot on Okinawa, part of a crackdown on off-duty misconduct that began in April.

Military police on Okinawa see ‘night and day’ progress after latest joint patrol

U.S. military police detained at least five service members during their most recent joint patrol of a nightlife hotspot on Okinawa.

www.stripes.com

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 12d

American and Japanese middle-schoolers overcame language barriers at this key air base over the weekend as they brainstormed ideas to bring their communities together.

American, Japanese middle-schoolers on Okinawa share ideas to bridge cultures

An event sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DODEA encourages teenagers from both nations to learn about each other’s cultures.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 15d

Brent Cook, the Kubasaki High School JROTC instructor recently named 2026 Teacher of the Year for all Defense Department schools, has always been inspired by his students, going back to his Marine Corps career.

Retired Marine and Okinawa JROTC instructor is DODEA’s Teacher of the Year

Brent Cook, the Kubasaki High School JROTC instructor recently named 2026 DODEA Teacher of the Year, “doesn’t just lead — he inspires,” according to the principal.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 17d

Marines who normally man a desk stepped behind machine guns at a firing range on this northern Okinawa base recently to hone their skills defending a command post.

Logistics Marines on Okinawa sharpen machine-gun skills for island defense

A live-fire drill allowed 30 Marines who work in logistics, communication, supply and administration to hone their light and heavy machine guns skills.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 18d

A Marine Corps commander on Tuesday suspended recreational swimming at Camp Schwab in northern Okinawa after two Marines were rescued in waters nearby, the second rescue there this summer, according to the Marines.

Ocean recreation at Marine base on Okinawa suspended after swimmer rescues

A Marine Corps commander suspended recreational swimming at Camp Schwab on Okinawa after two Marines were rescued in waters nearby.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 18d

A Marine was injured and his mother was hospitalized in critical condition over the weekend after their vehicle crashed into another car at a dangerous intersection on Okinawa’s main highway, according to police.

Marine’s mother critically injured in crash at busy Okinawa intersection

A Marine was injured and his mother was hospitalized in critical condition after their vehicle crashed into another car at a dangerous intersection on Okinawa’s main highway, police said.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 19d

About 60 residents of Chatan town walked onto this key U.S. air base over the weekend for an annual tsunami drill, less than two months after an actual scare in July.

Okinawans join Kadena Air Base’s tsunami evacuation drill after recent scares

Nearly 60 residents of a nearby town walked through Kadena Air Base for an annual tsunami evacuation drill, after an actual tsunami scare in July.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 23d

A Japanese F-35A Lightning II made an emergency landing at a commercial airport in northern Japan on Wednesday, delaying two flights, according to a Japanese air force spokesman.

Japanese F-35A diverts to civilian airport after experiencing mechanical trouble

A Japanese fighter jet made an emergency landing at Aomori Airport, delaying two flights.

www.stripes.com

Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 24d

The Marine Corps is rehearsing island defense with its two newest missile systems alongside Japanese soldiers on Ishigaki Island, sending “a clear message to any attempt to undermine regional security,” the Marines’ top general on Okinawa said Wednesday.

Marines showcase new missile systems near Taiwan during island-defense drills

Marines on Okinawa are rehearsing island defense with the NMESIS and MADIS missile systems.

www.stripes.com

Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 25d

A U.S. airman convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl on Okinawa has lodged his final appeal with Japan’s highest court.

Convicted US airman seeks last-chance appeal over sexual assault of Japanese teen

Senior Airman Brennon Washington lodged his final appeal with Japan’s highest court after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl on Okinawa.

www.stripes.com

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 26d

The Pentagon’s inspector general will review how the Defense Department is handling violent crimes and sexual assaults committed by U.S. personnel against Japanese civilians.

Pentagon watchdog to evaluate handling of violent crimes against Japanese civilians

The Pentagon’s inspector general will examine whether U.S. Forces Japan personnel are following policies for preventing and addressing violent crimes.

www.stripes.com

Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · 29d

China’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier passed through the Taiwan Strait on its way to conduct “scientific research tests and training missions in the South China Sea,” China’s Ministry of National Defense said in a news release Friday.

Japan’s navy spots newest Chinese aircraft carrier sailing for first time in East China Sea

The Fujian, China’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, passed through the Taiwan Strait on its way to the South China Sea for tests and training.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · Sep 11

A U.S. Navy officer faces 23 years in prison in exchange for pleading guilty to killing his wife last year in a Japanese hotel, according to a Navy spokesman.

Navy officer pleads guilty to killing wife in Japan, faces 23 years in prison

A U.S. Navy officer faces 23 years in prison in exchange for pleading guilty to killing his wife last year in a Japanese hotel, a Navy spokesman said.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · Sep 10

A Japanese High Court on Wednesday upheld a U.S. airman’s conviction for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor on Okinawa in December 2024.

Japanese appellate court upholds airman’s 5-year sentence for sexually assaulting a minor

A Japanese court upheld Senior Airman Brennon Washington’s conviction for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor on Okinawa in December 2024.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · Sep 10

A squadron of Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets began arriving at an air station southeast of Hiroshima this week to replace the service’s first squadron of F-35B Lightning II fighters deployed to Japan.

Marine Corps Hornets arrive to relieve first F-35B squadron deployed to Japan

A squadron of Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets have arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to replace the service’s first squadron of fighters.

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Brian McElhiney @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social · Sep 5

The Defense Department could be required to study ways to prevent criminal conduct by U.S. troops stationed on Okinawa under a draft defense policy bill advanced by the House Armed Services Committee.

Pentagon could face mandate to address Okinawa troop crime concerns

A draft bill advanced by a congressional committee directs the Pentagon to evaluate programs aimed at curbing crimes by U.S. service members on Okinawa.

www.stripes.com

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