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U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Avelar
Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Phong Tran

Culinary specialists onboard NAF Atsugi

Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Phong Tran, a native of Jersey City, N.J., places a tray of food in an oven in the Far East Café Galley onboard Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi Sept. 25, 2025.

Danielle Gomez, Yokota Latin American Association (LAA) secretary, points to a student during a Hispanic Heritage Month read aloud at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 20, 2023. The Yokota LAA is a private organization dedicated to representation, community, and empowerment for Latin culture at Yokota. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White)
Danielle Gomez

Hispanic Heritage Month read aloud at Yokota

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Yokota Latin American Association held a Hispanic Heritage Month read aloud at Joan K. Mendel Elementary School, Sept.

Maj. Gen. Dave Womack, center, commander of U.S. Army Japan, participates in the opening ceremony of Orient Shield 23 along with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Japan, Sept. 14, 2023. About 3,500 U.S. Soldiers and JGSDF members recently completed the 10-day exercise to forge stronger bonds and increase interoperability. (Photo Credit: Courtesy photo)
Maj. Gen. Dave Womack

Orient Shield 23 exercise enhances U.S.-Japan readiness, deterrence

About 3,500 U.S. Soldiers and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members recently participated in the Orient Shield 23 exercise to forge stronger bonds and increase interoperability.

(Left to right) Airman 1st Class William Watson and Staff Sgt. Steven Richichi, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron hydraulic systems specialists, pose in front of a Yokota C-130J Super Hercules after being named Dedicated Crew Chiefs at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sept. 18, 2023. The Dedicated Crew Chief program is a longstanding military tradition that first began in the Army Air Corps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Spencer Tobler)
Airman 1st Class William Watson and Staff Sgt. Steven Richichi

374th AMXS names new dedicated crew chiefs

Etched above the crew door of each C-130J Super Hercules assigned to Yokota Air Base, Japan, lies two names.

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