James Bolinger
Stars and Stripes
Japan
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Past articles by James:
Marine combat engineer in Japan adapts runway repair kits to meet new Corps doctrine
A Marine figured out how to to more rapidly and easily deploy a runway repair kit on a single C-130. → Read More
Marine Corps stands up a second F-35B squadron at MCAS Iwakuni in Japan
The Marine Corps on Oct. 16 redesignated an existing unit at MCAS Iwakuni as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, the second Marine squadron overseas to field the F-35B. → Read More
Sailors, civilians line streets of Sasebo Naval Base in Japan, to salute exiting commander
There were only 50 attendees at the change of command ceremony, but sailors and civilians lined the street to wave or salute as the outgoing commander drove by. → Read More
Six B-1 and B-2 bombers conduct simultaneous missions over Sea of Japan, Indian Ocean
The combined exercise Tuesday, one of several like it this year, comes as military activity in the Western Pacific by the U.S. and its allies and by China continues to ratchet up. → Read More
Positive coronavirus case at Iwakuni in Japan turned out to be an error
One case of the coronavirus reported Tuesday at Iwakuni turned out to a false positive, the base said Thursday. → Read More
Sasebo, Misawa are latest bases in Japan to relax anti-virus restrictions before holiday
Two more U.S. military bases in Japan eased coronavirus restrictions in time for sailors, airmen, families and civilian workers to stretch their legs over Independence Day weekend. → Read More
Sasebo joins other bases in Japan in relaxing travel restrictions before holiday weekend
The commander of Sasebo Naval Base has loosened coronavirus restrictions in time for sailors, families and civilian workers to stretch their legs over Independence Day weekend. → Read More
Navy receives first Super Hornet with special modifications for Blue Angels demo team
Boeing delivered the first of a planned fleet of 11 modified F/A-18E Super Hornets to the Navy’s Blue Angels demonstration team on Wednesday, according to the company. → Read More
Airmen won’t be mandated to wear new boots, T-shirts and flag patches until Sept. 1 due to pandemic
The Air Force has delayed its switch to new color schemes for uniform boots, under garments and flag patches until September, citing “unnecessary stress” on its service members due to the coronavirus pandemic. → Read More
Air Force cancels fitness assessments over coronavirus concerns
To handle the expected increase in the number of airmen who will be tested when the moratorium is lifted, the memo also temporarily allows physical training leaders to test members of their own squadron. → Read More
More civilians lose access to Sasebo Naval Base in Japan for violating coronavirus restrictions
“We are still struggling getting 100% of the community onboard with following the Public Health Order and taking the Public Health Emergency serious,” said installation commander Capt. Brad Stallings in a message posted to Facebook. → Read More
Iwakuni orders residents to shelter in place after deadly off-base gas leak
Some residents of this U.S. Marine base in southwestern Japan endured a brief shelter-in-place episode Monday when gas leaked from an off-base construction site. → Read More
USAA to return an additional $280 million to auto policy holders as virus lockdowns continue
The financial services and insurance company, which provides insurance and banking services to more than 13 million active-duty military members, veterans and their families, already returned $580 million in auto policy rebates in April. → Read More
Quarantine University: Airmen share knowledge via social media during coronavirus lockdown
At an Air Force base in California famous for pushing the envelope, senior enlisted leaders have devised a social media method of keeping work-at-home airmen around the world connected and learning during the coronavirus pandemic. → Read More
Avoid insecticide-treated uniform fabric for DIY coronavirus masks, Marine Corps and Air Force say
The Marines and Air Force have warned do-it-yourself mask makers to avoid using military uniforms treated with insect repellent or fire retardant due to possible health risks. → Read More
Army program will pay $100K for solutions to national ventilator shortage
The Army will pay $100,000 for a low-cost, easily manufactured ventilator to help with the shortage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the service’s xTech Search website operating the competition. → Read More
MCAS Iwakuni restricts overnight liberty for base residents over coronavirus concerns
The leave and liberty order posted Sunday on MCAS Iwakuni’s official Facebook page applies to any base resident who falls under the U.S.-Japan status of forces agreement. → Read More
Weekend rush leaves Japan commissary and exchange shelves short on toilet paper, hand sanitizer
Commissaries on military bases across Japan ran short of toilet paper over the weekend as service members prepared for possible quarantines due to COVID-19. → Read More
DODEA-Pacific cancels more events in Korea and Japan over coronavirus concerns
Pacific area Defense Department schools canceled more events Friday, a day after pulling the plug on Far East winter sports tournaments due to concerns over potential exposure to the new coronavirus. → Read More
Marines declare popular Iwakuni barbecue restaurant off-limits after owner’s drug arrest
The restaurant's owner, Phillip Christopher Azevedo, a Marine Corps veteran, was taken into custody Dec. 21 on suspicion of marijuana possession, according to a Japanese police spokesman. → Read More