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Norio Muroi began working for Stars and Stripes’ Tokyo office as a copy boy in 1977 and began working in the library in 1979. THERON GODBOLD/STARS AND STRIPES
Norio Muroi

VIDEO| Stars and Stripes Pacific Librarian retires after 42 years

Stars and Stripes’ library in Tokyo preserves the stories and heroics of countless service members from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars alongside records of newsworthy events on American bases in the Far East over the past 75 years.

Hailey Smits, the 35th Fighter Wing Pantry coordinator, pauses for a photo at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2019. Active duty members and their families can pick up 10 non-perishable, shelf-stable and non-expired packing food items at no cost each month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class China M. Shock)
Hailey Smits

Let the food drive begin!

U.S. Air Force veteran Hailey Smits, the 35th Fighter Wing pantry coordinator, gives back to the Misawa Air Base community by volunteering her time at the food pantry.

Tek, 374th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, bites a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Security Guard Squadron handler during the annual air show at Iruma Air Base, Japan, Nov. 3, 2019. The suit allows the dog to practice subduing suspects without endangering the decoy, providing a safe training environment for both dog and handler. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brieana E Bolfing)

Yokota first for MWDs at Iruma Air Show

Military working dog (MWD) teams from the 374th Security Forces Squadron out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, participated in a bilateral MWD demonstration with Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces Security Guard Squadron security dog team during the 51st annual air show at Iruma Air Base, Japan, Nov. 3, 2019.

SASEBO, Japan (November 01, 2019) Chief Hospital Corpsman, Kenneth Van Tassel, bandges up his daughter for fun to show her what he does at work aboard Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer (MCM 9). Pioneer, part of Mine Countermeasures Squadron 7, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response platform for contingency operations. (Photo by Lt.j.g. Alexander Fairbanks)
Chief Hospital Corpsman Kenneth Van Tassel

USS Pioneer sailed around Sasebo harbor for a Family and Friends Day cruise

The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer (MCM 9) sailed around Sasebo harbor for their Family and Friends Day cruise in Sasebo, Japan, November 1.

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Yokota senior Mickey Galvin and sophomore Aiko Galvin smile after their team relay victory. DAVE ORNAUER/STARS AND STRIPES
Mickey and Aiko Galvin

Galvins team up to lead Yokota to relay victory

Staff Sgt. Alfredo Marquez, 374th Comptroller Squadron financial analysis integration NCOIC.
Staff Sgt. Alfredo Marquez

Airlifter of the Week: Staff Sgt. Alfredo Marquez

Michael Pope, who has taught math and science at Zama Middle High School for 14 years, teaches a math class at the school on Camp Zama, Japan, Oct. 30. Pope is a recent recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest recognition kindergarten through 12th-grade STEM and computer science teachers can receive in the United States.
Michael Pope

Teacher at Zama Middle High School receives presidential award

Cadet Pvt. Michael Manangan, a member of the Zama Middle High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps drill team, competes in the Pacific East District Kanto Plains Drill and Color Guard Competition at the Yano Fitness Center, Camp Zama, Oct. 26, 2019.
Cadet Pvt. Michael Manangan

Zama Middle High School wins JROTC drill competition

James Chang, school nurse at John O. Arnn Elementary School, nears Gate 1 at Camp Zama, Japan, Oct. 27, 2019, after completing the first leg of the 20th annual “Smile Run” in honor of Maj. John O. Arnn.
James Chang

20th annual ‘Smile Run’ salutes Arnn Elementary namesake

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Travonne Lindsay, a 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew chief, inspects an inert munition during the third quarter load competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 25, 2019. The competition assessed Airmen’s abilities to quickly and properly arm an F-16 Fighting Falcon with inert munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class China M. Shock)
Staff Sgt. Travonne Lindsay

The 13th AMU Panthers take the win in Misawa’s third quarter load competition

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Gilmore
Staff Sgt. Cody Nickell

A Life of Service

Col. Marvin Emerson, left, commander of Medical Department Activity-Japan, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lt. Col. Shuichi Kawano, assigned to the JGSDF Medical Service School at Camp Mishuku in Tokyo, pose for a photo during a ceremony Oct. 24 in which Kawano was inducted into the Order of Military Medical Merit. (US Army photo by Noriko Kudo)
JGSDF Lt. Col. Shuichi Kawano

JGSDF medical liaison officer inducted into Order of Military Medical Merit

Gordon Campbell

Base contractor’s new book a page - turner

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Timothy Hernandez
Lance Cpl. Mark Taylor

U.S. Marines conduct hand grenade range during Fuji Viper 20-1

LS1(SW) Eliane Nana, Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo-Shore
LS1(SW) Eliane Nana

USO Japan honors volunteers: LS1(SW) Eliane Nana

Nile C. Kinnick's Makia Henry was the surprise girls winner in the DODEA-Japan cross country finals. DAVE ORNAUER/STARS AND STRIPES
Makia Henry

Corss Country: Kinnick freshman Henry brings home girls title

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Collette Brooks
Senior Airman Peter Nguyen

Panther pride, hard work shown during Komatsu ATR

ICO IC2(SW/AW) Taylor E. Messinger, Naval Air Facility Atsugi
ICO IC2(SW/AW) Taylor E. Messinger

USO Japan honors volunteers: ICO IC2(SW/AW) Taylor E. Messinger

Ron Barr, the son of an Air Force senior noncommissioned officer, has been hosting the "Sports Byline USA" radio show for more than three decades. STEVEN HOOVER
Ron Barr

After three decades of ‘Sports Byline,’ radio host still strives ‘to connect with athletes in a human way’