Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 1d

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The ride-hailing service Uber is now an option for airmen and their families traveling on and off this airlift hub in western Tokyo, according to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

People can now book Uber taxis through new service at Air Force base in Japan

Uber is now an option for airmen and their families traveling on and off Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 1d

President Donald Trump authorized construction of four Arctic security cutters for the Coast Guard to be built in Finland rather than domestically because of “urgent national security needs” in the polar region, according to the White House.

First of Coast Guard’s new icebreaking cutters to be made in Finland

Finland will make Coast Guard’s new icebreaking cutters.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 6d

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A plaque originally meant as a memorial to Marines who fought on Iwo Jima recently departed this airlift hub in western Tokyo on its way to the Marine Corps museum in Virginia.

Wayward Iwo Jima plaque moves from general’s office in Japan to Marine Corps museum

A memorial plaque to Marines who fought on Iwo Jima recently left Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo on its way to the Marine Corps museum in Virginia.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 8d

For anyone interested in the U.S. Army Garrison Japan commander's thinking on data analysis, technology and leadership in today’s Army, just check his blog, Downrange Data, launched in June 2024.

Army garrison commander in Japan also occupies a spot in the blogosphere

Col. Erik Davis assumed command of U.S. Army Garrison Japan at Camp Zama from Col. Marcus Hunter in July.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.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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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 9d

Homecoming games and community festivals at U.S. bases in Japan and South Korea are either canceled or scaled back thanks to the federal government shutdown that kicked off the fiscal year Wednesday.

Shutdown brings curtain down on homecoming, festivals on overseas bases

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.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 9d

U.S. military installations across the Indo-Pacific reported varying levels of disruption from the government shutdown that began Wednesday, but most services remained available for service members and civilians.

US military bases across Pacific report minimal impact to services after shutdown

US military bases in the Pacific report minimal impact to services after government shutdown

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.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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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 9d

American troops bound for duty stations on the Korean Peninsula will serve longer tours there following a change in Defense Department policy that took effect Wednesday.

Extended-tour policy takes effect for US troops ordered to South Korea

American troops bound for duty stations on the Korean Peninsula will serve longer tours there following a change in Defense Department policy.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 10d

A pair of Air Force veterans — both former high school football players — are in Japan with a plan to grow the sport and help young American and Japanese players find a professional career.

Air Force vets want to help high school football players reach the pros from Japan

Two Air Force veterans and former high school football players are in Japan working to grow the sport and help young American and Japanese athletes pursue pro careers.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 11d

The state of Hawaii and the Army announced Monday that they had established a set of non-binding principles as the service moves forward with contentious plans for renewing leases for state lands by year’s end.

Hawaii, Army sign ‘framework’ to hasten Army lease renewals of public lands

Hawaii and the Army have established a set of non-binding principles as the service moves forward with contentious plans for renewing leases for state lands.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 11d

A former U.S. Army employee pleaded guilty in September in federal court to sexually abusing two children under age 16 while he worked in Japan.

Former US Army employee pleads guilty to sexual abuse of 2 children in Japan

A former U.S. Army employee pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two children in Japan.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 11d

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has laid out detailed procedures to follow in the event of a volcanic eruption near the capital, including specific steps to deal with ash from Mount Fuji.

Tokyo revises volcano response plan, outlines steps for Mount Fuji ashfall

Mount Fuji shows no immediate signs of erupting, but officials in Tokyo have updated guidelines to follow in the event it does, including around U.S. bases.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 11d

Maj. Korey Watkins didn’t expect a trip to the post exchange for a meal to end with one of the rarest treasures in the world of Stars Wars trading cards.

One-of-a-kind Star Wars collector’s card surfaces at US Army post exchange

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 12d

Military installations on Guam are testing their water supplies after a banned pesticide was found in a well near Andersen Air Force Base.

Pesticide in village well spurs water testing on Guam military bases

Military installations on Guam are testing their water supplies after dieldrin was found in a well near Andersen Air Force Base.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 12d

Military police on Okinawa see ‘night and day’ progress after latest joint patrol (by @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social)

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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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 12d

The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold, with sailors in their summer whites manning the rails, concluded a decade with the U.S. 7th Fleet and sailed out of Tokyo Bay on Monday.

USS Benfold is bound for Washington state after 10 years based in Japan

The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold, with sailors in their summer whites manning the rails, concluded a decade with the U.S. 7th Fleet.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 12d

A deactivated World War II-era fighter squadron was given new life Monday and equipped with MQ-9 Reaper drones for intelligence gathering across the Indo-Pacific from South Korea.

Air Force revives WWII-era squadron for Reaper drone operations in South Korea

A deactivated World War II-era fighter squadron in South Korea was given new life and equipped with MQ-9 Reaper drones.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 15d

North Korea has no intention of surrendering its nuclear weapons, which leaves the United States to either to neutralize a nuclear threat or develop something like a normal relationship with Pyongyang, an expert in international affairs said Friday.

North Korea expert says US faces stark choice as Kim Jong Un rejects denuclearization

North Korea won’t surrender nukes, leaving US to either neutralize the threat or develop normal relations with Pyongyang, expert says.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 15d

Brent Cook, the Kubasaki High School JROTC instructor recently named 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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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 15d

Beijing’s recently announced plan to establish a nature reserve on a contested shoal in the South China Sea is really a form of “lawfare” aimed at establishing sovereignty, according to a pair of experts in international relations.

China’s ‘nature reserve’ on Scarborough Shoal seen as sovereignty move, experts say

Beijing’s plan for a nature reserve on a contested South China Sea shoal is “lawfare” to establish sovereignty, international relations experts say.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 16d

North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted four Russian aircraft Wednesday in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, the command announced the following day.

NORAD tracks Russian bombers, fighters in Alaska air defense zone

NORAD intercepted four Russian aircraft in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 16d

The solemn tolls of a ship’s bell rang through a U.S. Navy base in Japan on Thursday as volunteers read out the names of 176 sailors who died over the past year.

‘A life remembered’: Yokosuka bell rings in honor of sailors lost over the past year

The solemn tolls of a ship’s bell rang through Yokosuka as volunteers read out the names of 176 sailors who died over the past year.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 16d

The Navy awarded a $289.7 million contract to a local conglomerate to build and outfit a communications facility at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz on Guam, according to a recent announcement.

Navy awards nearly $290M contract for communication facility on Guam

The Navy has awarded a $289.7 million contract to a local conglomerate to build and outfit a communications facility at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz on Guam.

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Aaron Kidd @kiddaaron.bsky.social · 16d

A U.S. Army tent hospital treated more than 160 simulated casualties during Orient Shield, a nine-day trilateral exercise that wrapped up Wednesday in central Japan, according to the service.

Tent hospital treats 160 mock casualties during trilateral training in Japan

A U.S. Army tent hospital treated more than 160 simulated casualties during the Orient Shield exercise in Japan.

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