Community News | Stripes Japan

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Time to vote for the Best of the Pacific 2019

The holidays are behind us and it’s time once again to turn your attention to the yearly tradition unlike any other – Best of the Pacific voting season!
For the past 18 years, our annual Best of the Pacific magazine has been the authority on the best places YOU need to go in the Pacific. How do we know? Because you told us so!

MANILA, Philippines (March 17, 2019) - Mineman Seaman Logan Hardy, from Millbrook, Alabama, throws a messenger line to the pier to moor the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Chief (MCM 14) as the ship arrives in Manila, Philippines, for a port visit. Chief is visiting Manila while operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to work with their Philippine Navy counterparts to strengthen regional security and stability, and enhance interoperability. (Photo by MC2 Jordan Crouch)

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USS Chief arrives in Manila

The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Chief (MCM 14) arrived in Manila, Philippines, March 17, for a port visit.

Lt. Utaka Shimizu of the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters trains riders during the annual Army Ride Safety Awareness Day at Camp Zama March 15. (Photo Credit: Wendy Brown, U.S. Army Garrison Japan Public Affairs)

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Japanese police train Camp Zama motorcyclists

Five Japanese police officers visited Camp Zama March 15 to train motorcyclists on how to inspect their bikes and improve their riding skills.

An unexploded bomb from World War II was removed from a construction site near Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sunday, March 17, 2019. JAMES BOLINGER/STARS AND STRIPES

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Workers defuse, remove 500-pound WWII-era bomb near MCAS Iwakuni

A World War II-era American bomb was removed safely Sunday morning from a school construction site in Iwakuni by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

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Understanding your TRICARE explanation of benefits

If you’ve ever visited the doctor or hospital and used your health benefits, you’ve probably received an explanation of benefits (EOB).

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AFN satellite change will impact Indian Ocean Region, Africa

The American Forces Network (AFN) will soon make a satellite change that will impact viewers in the Indian Ocean region, Africa, Central Australia and countries in Southeast Asia.

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Did you know?: Blue Seal Ice Cream

There are many symbols of “Old America” on the island. Foremost Blue Seal is an ice cream brand that originated in the U.S. and developed in Okinawa. The company has been serving up the frozen treat since 1948, but with Baskin Robbins arriving, nowadays, there is a competition between the two American brands.

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Impress your partner with a massage

Who doesn’t love a good massage? Not only can massage relieve tension and stress, it can also help with blood circulation, as well as minor aches and pains (from wearing heels all day for instance!).

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Smug GPS doesn’t always know best

Last week, I hobbled over our frozen lawn toward my salt-encrusted car, balancing a to-go cup of coffee and two bags slung over each shoulder. It's a hassle running errands during the doldrums of winter.

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Did you know?: Japanese lottery

With a first prize of 1 billion yen ($9 million) per unit, Jumbo Draws, start selling one month before the drawing.

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Fitness, nutrition and active living: The essentials

Optimal health begins with nutrition, fitness and active living.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Joe Swinson, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon during exercise COPE Tiger 19, in Thailand, March 14, 2019. COPE Tiger is an annual multilateral aerial exercise aimed at improving combat readiness and interoperability between the Republic of Singapore air force, Royal Thai air force, and U.S. Air Force, while concurrently enhancing the three nations' military relations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melanie A. Hutto)

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The 14th Fighter Squadron takes to the skies during COPE Tiger 2019

Over the past week, the 14th Fighter Squadron executed the suppression of enemy air defenses mission in support of COPE Tiger 2019 at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.

A donor gives blood at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 12, 2019. The American and Japanese Red Cross societies partnered together to host a blood drive in order to gather more donors than by just holding a blood drive on their own. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

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Red Cross saving lives, one pint a time

When people think of donating blood, they often think of a sharp need pricking their skin and potentially passing out from blood loss. What many don’t think of in that moment is that they could be indirectly saving multiple people’s lives just by donating.

The Reunion of Honor ceremony is a testament to the strength of our alliance which has developed over 74 years. Marines and Sailors from the 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, in Okinawa, will stand side by side with officials from the Government of Japan as a symbol of unity and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

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74th Reunion of Honor | Marines, Japan honor those who fought in Battle of Iwo Jima

Veterans, their family members, and distinguished guests from the U.S. and Japan will gather on Iwo To March 23, 2019 to pay tribute to one another and those lost during the battle of Iwo Jima.

A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, soars over Victoria, Australia, March 1, 2019. (SERGIO GAMBOA/U.S. AIR FORCE)

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US sends B-52 bombers over South China Sea for second time in a week

The Air Force flew a pair of strategic bombers over the South China Sea on Wednesday, marking the second time it has sent the nuclear-capable aircraft to the region in just over a week.

In a still from ''Combat Obscura,'' a film that uses footage shot in Afghanistan by a Marine, a U.S Marine appears to smoke marijuana out of a makeshift bong while deployed to Afghanistan in 2011-12. (COURTESY OF OSCILLOSCOPE LABORATORIES)

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‘Stop looking at these kids as heroes,’ says veteran who made documentary featuring wartime footage of Marines

Former Marine Miles Lagoze hopes his film “Combat Obscura” will alter the “sanitized and sanctified view of the military” many Americans hold by showing them his view of what combat is actually like.