A general’s journey: Korean immigrant returns to peninsula to lead US soldiers

Army Brig. Gen. Jin Pak’s journey from a child immigrant to a one-star general in the U.S. Army is both typical and unique.

Study finds high PFAS levels near Okinawa air base, raising contamination concerns

Researchers found high concentrations of toxic “forever chemicals” in seawater offshore Okinawa in 2023, suggesting this critical U.S. installation may be the source, according to a recently released study.

‘Dirt Boyz’ practice making Yokota’s airfield more resilient against attacks

More engineers trained to cut and pour concrete would make the Air Force’s Indo-Pacific bases more resilient, according to an expert in rapid airfield repair.

Honolulu records 6th death from massive explosion of illegal fireworks over New Year’s

A sixth person has died as a result of a massive explosion of illegal fireworks over New Year’s in Honolulu, police said Wednesday.

Pakistan’s president says extremist attacks won’t end friendship with China

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari said Wednesday that his country’s friendship with China has “gone through ups and downs” but it won’t be broken down by extremist attacks that have killed Chinese nationals.

US Postal Service flip-flops on Hong Kong-China packages, lifting ban imposed day earlier

The U.S. Postal Service is reversing course a day after placing a ban on all inbound mail and packages from China and Hong Kong.

More than 100 Indian migrants deported on US military plane arrive home

A U.S. military plane carrying 104 deported Indian migrants has arrived in a northern Indian city, the first such flight to the country as part of a crackdown ordered by the Trump administration, airport officials said.

Growler’s precautionary arrested landing diverts other Navy flights in Japan

Several U.S. Navy aircraft were diverted to other airfields in Japan after an E/A-18G Growler made a precautionary arrested landing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, the Marine Corps said.

AAFES plans dental clinic for civilians at airlift hub in western Tokyo

A new dental clinic is in the works to serve American civilians at the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo.

Japan bolsters anti-air defense with $900 million purchase of US missiles

The United States has approved a $900 million missile sale to Japan, the third major arms purchase of its kind by the American ally in a little over a year.

China counters with tariffs on US products. It will also investigate Google

China announced retaliatory tariffs on select American imports and an antitrust investigation into Google on Tuesday, just minutes after a sweeping levy on Chinese products imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump took effect.

US and Philippine fighter aircraft jointly patrol disputed shoal region guarded by China

U.S. and Philippine fighter aircraft have staged a joint patrol and training over a disputed South China Sea shoal where Chinese fighter jets fired flares last year to drive away a Philippine aircraft.

Japanese troops defuse WWII-era shell at Okinawa Expressway construction site

Japanese troops last week defused another American-made shell believed to be left over from World War II and removed it from an Okinawa construction site.

Expert wants US to arm Philippines with sound cannons to fight China’s gray-zone tactics

The United States should provide its ally the Philippines with the type of sound cannons the Chinese coast guard employs to harass Philippine vessels, according to an expert on international relations in the Indo-Pacific.

Preoccupied with its troops in Russia, North Korea unlikely to embrace Trump’s overture soon

In its first direct criticism of the Trump administration, North Korea lashed out at U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for calling it a “rogue” state and warned Monday that such “coarse and nonsensical remarks” will never contribute to U.S. interests.

Arrests in the deadly Honolulu fireworks explosion grow to 10

The total number of people arrested in the deadly explosion of illegal fireworks in a Honolulu neighborhood on New Year’s Eve has grown to 10.

Comedian Jo Koy salutes the troops and brings laughter to bases in Guam and Japan

Standup comedian and actor Jo Koy had service members and their families roaring with laughter when he visited them at military bases in Guam and Japan in the middle of his “Just Being Koy” tour.

Air base on Okinawa inspecting another 263 homes for failing concrete

The 18th Civil Engineer group is conducting “deliberate inspections” of the quadplex units in Kadena’s Washington Heights neighborhood, an 18th Wing spokeswoman said.

US Army welcomes guests to new $46 million lodge in South Korea

The U.S. Army opened a new $46 million hotel Monday to provide accommodations for service members and their families traveling to Daegu, about 150 miles south of Seoul.