Aaron Kidd
@kiddaaron.bsky.social
Pacific Bureau Chief for Stars and Stripes | Tokyo
A U.S. Navy salvage ship has removed an abandoned vessel from waters off Guam, ending a two-year ordeal that followed a powerful typhoon and raised persistent environmental and safety concerns.
Long saga of an abandoned cruise vessel ends off Naval Base Guam
A Navy salvage ship removed an abandoned vessel from waters off Guam, ending a two-year ordeal that followed a powerful typhoon.
www.stripes.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:42 AM
A U.S. Navy salvage ship has removed an abandoned vessel from waters off Guam, ending a two-year ordeal that followed a powerful typhoon and raised persistent environmental and safety concerns.
A U.S. service member’s helmet fell from a military helicopter during a Monday training flight southwest of Tokyo, prompting a safety warning from Japan, though no injuries or damage were reported.
Japan urges safety review after helmet drops from US military helicopter
No injuries or damage were reported after a U.S. service member’s helmet fell from a helicopter during training flight near Naval Air Facility Atsugi.
www.stripes.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:47 AM
A U.S. service member’s helmet fell from a military helicopter during a Monday training flight southwest of Tokyo, prompting a safety warning from Japan, though no injuries or damage were reported.
A South Korean defense technology firm will supply advanced cockpit displays for the U.S. Air Force’s new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet and South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagle under a new deal with Boeing.
South Korean firm to supply advanced displays for Air Force’s new F-15EX fighters
Hanwha Systems’ contract for advanced cockpit displays is the first under an agreement to expand cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea.
www.stripes.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:33 AM
A South Korean defense technology firm will supply advanced cockpit displays for the U.S. Air Force’s new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet and South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagle under a new deal with Boeing.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A retired Huey helicopter that once flew combat, disaster-response and medical missions is now a permanent landmark at this airlift hub in Tokyo, symbolizing decades of U.S. military service in Japan.
Historic Huey helicopter takes final post as static display at Air Force base in Tokyo
A retired Huey helicopter that once flew combat, disaster-response and medical missions was unveiled as a symbol of decades of U.S. military service in Japan.
www.stripes.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:20 AM
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A retired Huey helicopter that once flew combat, disaster-response and medical missions is now a permanent landmark at this airlift hub in Tokyo, symbolizing decades of U.S. military service in Japan.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Airmen at this airlift hub in western Tokyo put their battlefield first-aid skills to the test during a recent Tactical Combat Casualty Care relay designed to simulate stress and urgency in real-world emergencies.
Airmen test battlefield first-aid skills during high-stress relay in Japan
U.S. airmen in Japan tested their battlefield first-aid skills during a recent competition designed to simulate stress and urgency in real-world emergencies.
www.stripes.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:11 AM
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Airmen at this airlift hub in western Tokyo put their battlefield first-aid skills to the test during a recent Tactical Combat Casualty Care relay designed to simulate stress and urgency in real-world emergencies.
A new type of Air Force expeditionary unit designed to deploy in a crisis is wrapping up its first Indo-Pacific mission, testing how the service might fight and survive across vast distances under threat from advanced missiles.
Air Force’s new deployable task force wraps up its first Indo-Pacific mission
A new type of Air Force expeditionary unit designed to deploy in a crisis recently tested how to fight and survive across vast distances in the Pacific
www.stripes.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:44 AM
A new type of Air Force expeditionary unit designed to deploy in a crisis is wrapping up its first Indo-Pacific mission, testing how the service might fight and survive across vast distances under threat from advanced missiles.
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — More than 200 U.S. and Japanese personnel took part Thursday in a joint emergency drill to practice responding to a hypothetical radiation exposure involving a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
Joint US-Japan drill simulates radiation exposure aboard Navy aircraft carrier
U.S. and Japanese personnel took part in a drill to practice responding to a hypothetical radiation exposure involving a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
www.stripes.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:44 AM
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — More than 200 U.S. and Japanese personnel took part Thursday in a joint emergency drill to practice responding to a hypothetical radiation exposure involving a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, steamed through the Taiwan Strait this week for the first time since being commissioned, a move closely monitored by Taiwan amid ongoing tensions with Beijing.
Taiwan tracks Chinese aircraft carrier on first strait transit since commissioning
The Fujian steamed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time since being commissioned, a move closely monitored by Taiwan amid ongoing tensions with China.
www.stripes.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:12 AM
China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, steamed through the Taiwan Strait this week for the first time since being commissioned, a move closely monitored by Taiwan amid ongoing tensions with Beijing.
Military families, veterans and Defense Department civilians in Japan and South Korea will soon have a new option for mental health care with the opening of nonprofit clinics on U.S. bases, according to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.
Mental health clinics for US military families to open next year in Japan, South Korea
AAFES will open mental health clinics in the fall at Okinawa’s Camp Foster and South Korea’s Camp Humphreys, with more planned for other Pacific locations.
www.stripes.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Military families, veterans and Defense Department civilians in Japan and South Korea will soon have a new option for mental health care with the opening of nonprofit clinics on U.S. bases, according to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.
Okinawa authorities discovered a U.S.-made bomb believed to date to World War II during an airport safety survey on a southern Japanese island, the first ordnance found in a series of inspections launched after an explosion last year.
American-made bomb from WWII uncovered near runway on small Okinawa island
Okinawa authorities discovered a U.S.-made bomb believed to date to World War II during an airport safety survey on a southern Japanese island.
www.stripes.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Okinawa authorities discovered a U.S.-made bomb believed to date to World War II during an airport safety survey on a southern Japanese island, the first ordnance found in a series of inspections launched after an explosion last year.
A New Zealand airman who rushed into the jungle on a remote Micronesian island to save two critically injured American service members has been formally honored for his actions nearly three years after a multinational exercise.
New Zealand honors airman for saving Americans troops injured in Micronesia crash
A New Zealand airman who saved two critically injured American service members has been formally honored for his actions nearly three years later.
www.stripes.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:43 AM
A New Zealand airman who rushed into the jungle on a remote Micronesian island to save two critically injured American service members has been formally honored for his actions nearly three years after a multinational exercise.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — When fifth-grader Nii Borketey noticed classmates dumping much of their cafeteria lunches into the trash, he spent his summer investigating why — an effort that ultimately prompted a conversation with the people who oversee those meals.
‘People listened’: Student’s letter to leadership spurs discussion on improving school lunches
A fifth-grader researched school cafeteria waste, then wrote a detailed letter to military leadership proposing meal improvements for overseas schools.
www.stripes.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:39 AM
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — When fifth-grader Nii Borketey noticed classmates dumping much of their cafeteria lunches into the trash, he spent his summer investigating why — an effort that ultimately prompted a conversation with the people who oversee those meals.
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — An American high school on this base southwest of Hiroshima has formalized years of informal exchanges with a Japanese public school, signing a sister-school pact aimed at deepening academic, cultural and athletic ties.
Sister school agreement aims to strengthen US-Japanese student ties in Iwakuni
An American high school at Marine Corps Air Base Iwakuni and a Japanese public school have signed a sister-school pact to formalize cultural exchanges.
www.stripes.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:21 AM
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — An American high school on this base southwest of Hiroshima has formalized years of informal exchanges with a Japanese public school, signing a sister-school pact aimed at deepening academic, cultural and athletic ties.
A midsized South Korean shipbuilder has secured its first contract to repair and maintain a U.S. Navy vessel, marking another step in expanding maritime cooperation between Washington and Seoul.
South Korean shipbuilder secures deal to maintain US Navy dry cargo vessel
www.stripes.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:51 AM
A midsized South Korean shipbuilder has secured its first contract to repair and maintain a U.S. Navy vessel, marking another step in expanding maritime cooperation between Washington and Seoul.
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Comic Con Okinawa drew more than 10,000 fans of pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy and cosplay to this Marine Corps base over the weekend, marking its largest turnout yet, according to event organizers.
Cosplay, comics and crowds: Comic Con Okinawa sees largest turnout yet
www.stripes.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:36 AM
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Comic Con Okinawa drew more than 10,000 fans of pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy and cosplay to this Marine Corps base over the weekend, marking its largest turnout yet, according to event organizers.
IE SHIMA, Okinawa — The Marine Corps has reopened a small island airfield off Okinawa’s coast after two years of repairs, restoring a key training site and easing pressure on Kadena Air Base, where parachute jumps had drawn local opposition.
Marine Corps reopens Ie Shima airfield after repairs, ending temporary Kadena drops
The Marine Corps reopened a small island airfield off Okinawa after two years of repairs, restoring a key training site and easing pressure on Kadena.
www.stripes.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:33 AM
IE SHIMA, Okinawa — The Marine Corps has reopened a small island airfield off Okinawa’s coast after two years of repairs, restoring a key training site and easing pressure on Kadena Air Base, where parachute jumps had drawn local opposition.
South Korea’s Supreme Court has upheld a six-year prison sentence for a former U.S. forces employee convicted of smuggling illegal drugs into the country using the military mail system.
South Korea’s high court upholds 6-year sentence in drug smuggling case tied to US base
South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld a prison sentence for a former U.S. forces employee convicted of smuggling drugs using the military mail system.
www.stripes.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:22 AM
South Korea’s Supreme Court has upheld a six-year prison sentence for a former U.S. forces employee convicted of smuggling illegal drugs into the country using the military mail system.
U.S. and South Korean forces have recovered an Air Force drone that crashed last month off the country’s western coast, according to the 8th Fighter Wing.
Air Force recovers Reaper drone that crashed last month off South Korea
U.S. and South Korean forces have recovered an Air Force drone that crashed last month off the country’s western coast, the 8th Fighter Wing said.
www.stripes.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:50 AM
U.S. and South Korean forces have recovered an Air Force drone that crashed last month off the country’s western coast, according to the 8th Fighter Wing.
Two U.S. Navy warships pulled into Da Nang, Vietnam, on Monday for the first Navy visit to the city in two years, according to the service.
Amphibious assault ship, cruiser make Navy’s first visit to Vietnamese city in 2 years
The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli arrived for a Da Nang port call alongside the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls.
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Two U.S. Navy warships pulled into Da Nang, Vietnam, on Monday for the first Navy visit to the city in two years, according to the service.
NAHA, Okinawa — Japanese prosecutors will not pursue charges against a U.S. Navy sailor accused of inappropriately touching a Japanese girl on Okinawa over the summer, a spokesman said Monday.
Okinawa prosecutors drop case against US sailor accused of touching teen girl
Japanese prosecutors will not pursue charges against a U.S. Navy sailor accused of inappropriately touching a Japanese girl on Okinawa over the summer, a spokesman said.
www.stripes.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:51 AM
NAHA, Okinawa — Japanese prosecutors will not pursue charges against a U.S. Navy sailor accused of inappropriately touching a Japanese girl on Okinawa over the summer, a spokesman said Monday.
The U.S. Army has identified the soldier who died Friday after a motorcycle crash on Okinawa as a Patriot missile system launching operator and maintainer.
Army identifies motorcyclist killed in Okinawa crash as Patriot launcher operator
The U.S. Army identified the Soldier involved in a fatal crash on Okinawa.
www.stripes.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
The U.S. Army has identified the soldier who died Friday after a motorcycle crash on Okinawa as a Patriot missile system launching operator and maintainer.
KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa — More than 100 American and Japanese athletes sprinted, dribbled and raced for medals under clear skies Saturday at the 21st Kadena Special Olympics, the event’s largest turnout since its post-pandemic return two years ago.
Special Olympics at Air Force base on Okinawa flourishes under fresh management
Kadena Air Base hosted its 21st Special Olympics to record turnout since its post-Covid return.
www.stripes.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:28 AM
KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa — More than 100 American and Japanese athletes sprinted, dribbled and raced for medals under clear skies Saturday at the 21st Kadena Special Olympics, the event’s largest turnout since its post-pandemic return two years ago.
For the first time in 84 years, no survivors of Japan’s surprise attack on Oahu were present at the annual remembrance ceremony Sunday, marking a poignant shift for the living memory of Dec. 7, 1941.
Living memory of Pearl Harbor attack absent from annual Dec. 7 commemoration
www.stripes.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:23 AM
For the first time in 84 years, no survivors of Japan’s surprise attack on Oahu were present at the annual remembrance ceremony Sunday, marking a poignant shift for the living memory of Dec. 7, 1941.
The U.S. military is warning service members to leave electronic cigarettes at home when traveling to Singapore, where possession of vapes is illegal and can lead to heavy fines, deportation and bans on reentry.
Troops told to avoid bringing e-cigs to Singapore amid crackdown on vaping
The U.S. military has been airing warnings on American Forces Network television as Singapore steps up enforcement of its vaping laws since Sept. 1.
www.stripes.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:03 AM
The U.S. military is warning service members to leave electronic cigarettes at home when traveling to Singapore, where possession of vapes is illegal and can lead to heavy fines, deportation and bans on reentry.
YOKOSUKA, Japan — The family of a Japanese motorcyclist killed in an April collision with a car driven by a U.S. sailor has filed a civil lawsuit as police continue to investigate the case.
Family sues US sailor yet to be charged in fatal motorcycle collision in Japan
A Japanese family sues a US sailor yet to be charged in a fatal motorcycle collision in Yokosuka, Japan
www.stripes.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:16 AM
YOKOSUKA, Japan — The family of a Japanese motorcyclist killed in an April collision with a car driven by a U.S. sailor has filed a civil lawsuit as police continue to investigate the case.