Practice makes perfect in BH 10-04

Kadena Air Base members ready themselves to support real world contingencies by practicing operations and honing military tactics. Kadena base exercise Beverly High 10-04 gives Airmen an opportunity to perform deployed actions in a controlled environment so that when the time comes, the Airmen can

Cupcakes bring community together

Kadena senior airmen selected for promotion to staff sergeant

More than 350 of Kadena's promotion-eligible senior airmen were selected to become staff sergeants following the Air Force Personnel Center's release Aug. 19, 2010.Overall, Air Force officials selected 13,518 of 28,510 eligible senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant for a selection rate of

Construction projects improve quality of life for Kadena Airmen

More than 130 projects are under construction this year to improve quality of life and meet aging infrastructure needs.Kadena officials hope the projects, worth approximately $921 million, will make the base a better place to live, work and play."The overall goal of these projects," said Lt. Col.

Base pays $30,000 for good IDEAs

Kadena Air Base just paid out $30,000 for three submissions through the base's IDEA Program. The Innovative Development through Employee Awareness (IDEA) program encourages innovative, creative thinking by both military and Department of Defense civilian personnel. The program is designed to

Kadena vet clinic keeps military working dogs in top shape

In the military you are taught to never leave a fellow warrior behind. In some cases this applies even if your partner isn't of the same species. For military working dogs and their handlers, their effectiveness depends on both team members being in top shape. Keeping the furry half of the team

Okinawans observe centuries-old tradition

Many Okinawans will celebrate a centuries-old Buddhist holiday called Obon, Aug. 22-24. Obon is held to celebrate life among family members, and to reunite with the spirits of families' ancestors.Each year, Okinawans pay homage to their passed relatives with praying, Eisa dancing, singing and dining

Summer Hire Program Pays Off

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, summer employment of teens is now the lowest it has been since 1948. Lance Cpl Nate Carberry shows us how teens on Okinawa have the chance to get jobs they may not have been offered back in the states.

Preparation key to success in upcoming LORE

If you're an Airman on Kadena Air Base you probably know there's a local operational readiness exercise scheduled for Aug. 23-25. What you may not know is you should be preparing for it now.As with most other things in life, preparation is the key to success in the upcoming LORE."It's important to

Youth Center offers pre-school gymnastics to keep kids active

Getting your child involved in an extra-curricular program can benefit their physical and social development. The Kadena Air Base Youth Center offers a variety of classes including judo, piano, guitar, dance and even Daddy or Mommy and Me pre-school classes. Pre-school gymnastics is one of the more

SECDEF announces major Pentagon reforms

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2010 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is putting meat on the bones of his initiative to reform the way the Pentagon does business and to eliminate duplicative, unnecessary overhead costs.During a Pentagon news conference today, Gates said the steps he is taking will help the

Out and About in Okinawa: Pottery Making

The society and customs of Okinawa, like those of its Asian neighbors, have survived thousands of years ... lately including significant industrialization and modernization. Although the island has changed over the years from an agrarian and trading culture to a modern business and tourism frontier,

Logisticians come together for charity

Logistics personnel from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Japan Air Self Defense Force and American and Japanese logistics companies donated $800 in cash and food to the Gajumaru Family Home Jul. 19. Earlier that day, the 18th LRS and the National Defense Logistics and Transportation

American, Japanese kids participate in youth exchange

Who would have thought that creating a shisa dog out of colorful modeling clay would have been so difficult? Yet, that was the opinion of many of the Japanese and English youth attending a cultural exchange event at the Kadena Youth Center on Thursday. "I think it's hard, but fun," said

Former Kadena Chief passes away

Team Kadena lost a dedicated Airman and a good friend Aug. 4 as Chief Master Sgt. Michael P. Donoven passed away with his family at his side in Little Rock, Ark. after a long battle with illness. Chief Donoven retired June 9 as the Superintendent of the 18th Mission Support Group, culminating a