Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas Torkelson, 18th Wing vice commander, speaks to local Okinawan trick-or-treaters before escorting them onto Kadena Air Base, Japan, for Halloween festivities Oct. 31, 2014. More than 420 local Okinawans were invited onto the base Halloween night as part of a partnership with the Air Force stationed here. Events like these are the Air Force's way of giving back to the local community on the island. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)

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Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas Torkelson, 18th Wing vice commander, speaks to local Okinawan trick-or-treaters before escorting them onto Kadena Air Base, Japan, for Halloween festivities Oct. 31, 2014. More than 420 local Okinawans were invited onto the base Halloween night as part of a partnership with the Air Force stationed here. Events like these promote good neighbor relations and help bolster international ties between the U.S. and Japanese on the island. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)

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Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Blake Middleton, 18th Security Forces Squadron response force member, directs traffic during Halloween trick-or-treating on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2014. Each year, Kadena Airmen escort hundreds of local Okinawan children while they trick-or-treat with the American children on base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)

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Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

Japanese and American trick-or-treaters grab candy from the front of an on-base resident's house at Stearly Heights during Halloween on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2014. Traditionally, Kadena Air Base opens its gates to a selected group of Japanese neighbors to participate in the American Halloween custom of trick-or-treating in costume. (U.S. Air Force photo by Naoto Anazawa/Released)

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Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

Jack-O'-Lanterns illuminate a path toward candy for trick-or-treaters during Halloween on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2014. A Jack-O'-lantern is a carved pumpkin, or turnip, associated chiefly with the holiday of Halloween, and was named after the phenomenon of strange light flickering over peat bogs, called will-O'-the-wisp or Jack-O'-lantern. (U.S. Air Force photo by Naoto Anazawa/Released)

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Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

A Japanese trick-or-treater greets an on base resident in English after she receives candy at Stearly Heights during Halloween on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2014. Kadena has the opportunity to share the American tradition with their Japanese friends every year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Naoto Anazawa/Released)

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Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jamani Ramsey, 390th Intelligence Squadron technical reporter, patrols the roads during Halloween on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2014. Kadena hosted approximately 400 local community members for trick-or-treating festivities in addition to base residents. During trick-or-treating, the Pumpkin Patrol, comprised of at least 150 volunteer Airmen from around the base, kept an eye out for safety issues and hazards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Naoto Anazawa/Released)

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Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

Published Nov. 4, 2014
By Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- More than 5,000 Okinawan visitors packed Kadena's streets and sidewalks Oct. 31 to join the ghoulish Halloween festivities.

Local employees were authorized to bring friends and family members, and more than 422 Okinawan visitors were invited to be bussed on Kadena in an effort to share the unique experience with the off-base community.

"By doing this we give back something to our Okinawan community who accept our Air Force members as their friends on island," said Sayaka Kawatake, 18th Wing Public Affairs community relations specialist. "The local children get a taste of an American festivity while American families gain an opportunity to meet the young local guests coming to their place. Halloween is not only about exchanging candy, but about small interactions we make at the door."

Col. Thomas Torkelson, 18th Wing vice commander, welcomed the group of 400-plus visitors as they were gathering at the Chibana Golf Course prior to the event.

"Thank you for being such wonderful neighbors and giving so much to our Airmen and our families," Torkelson told those in attendance. "Tonight is a small way for us to give something back to you, and I hope each of you enjoys your time trick-or-treating with American families."

Following introductions, parents, children and members of the base Pumpkin Patrol - volunteers escorting the families - loaded onto buses and were dropped off in housing areas around the base. Kawatake said a lot of organizations helped make the event a success, helping focus on the volunteers, safety, transportation and communication.

"I can tell from the local trick-or-treaters who returned home in excitement and joy - they were all smiling and happy," Kawatake said. "A child even prepared origami crafts to say "thank you" to our volunteers. They understand how hard our team has worked to make that event happen. Thanks to the professionalism of Team Kadena, we were able to host over 5,000 trick-or-treaters base-wide safely and uneventfully."

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Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters

Kadena opens its gates to trick-or-treaters