U.S. volunteers join Okinawans in city clean up

U.S. Service members and families join Okinawan volunteers to pick up trash during a bilateral community cleanup event at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 17 and 31, 2025. Cleanup participants formed groups and split up to cover four different courses outlined on the event map. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Catherine Daniel)

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U.S. volunteers join Okinawans in city clean up

A U.S. Service member joins Okinawan volunteers to clean up city streets during a bilateral community cleanup event at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 17 and 31, 2025. After the event concluded, volunteers gathered to review the results of their efforts and reflect on the importance of taking personal interest in community upkeep. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Catherine Daniel)

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U.S. volunteers join Okinawans in city clean up

Volunteers converse before the opening ceremony of a bilateral community cleanup event at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 17 and 31, 2025. The second day of the event began with remarks by the Okinawa City Mayor and the Chairman of the Okinawa Citizens Center, followed by a brief from the event coordinators on the rules and regulations surrounding the pickup. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Catherine Daniel)

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U.S. volunteers join Okinawans in city clean up

An Okinawa Citizen’s Center representative gives a speech during a bilateral community cleanup event at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 17 and 31, 2025. The second day of the event began with remarks by the Okinawa City Mayor and the Chairman of the Okinawa Citizens Center, followed by a brief from the event coordinators on the rules and regulations surrounding the pickup. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Catherine Daniel)

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U.S. volunteers join Okinawans in city clean up

U.S. Service members and families join Okinawan volunteers to pick up trash during a bilateral community cleanup event at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 17 and 31, 2025. After the event concluded, volunteers gathered to review the results of their efforts and reflect on the importance of taking personal interest in community upkeep. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Catherine Daniel)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. volunteers join Okinawans in city clean up

A U.S. Service member joins Okinawan volunteers to pick up trash during a bilateral community cleanup event at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 17 and 31, 2025. Over the two days nearly 100 locals, military members and their families picked up over 40 bags worth of trash and debris from the historic city streets. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Catherine Daniel)

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U.S. volunteers join Okinawans in city clean up

A U.S. Service member joins Okinawan volunteers to clean up city streets during a bilateral community cleanup event at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 17 and 31, 2025. Over the two days nearly 100 locals, military members and their families picked up over 40 bags worth of trash and debris from the historic city streets. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Catherine Daniel)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. volunteers join Okinawans in city clean up

A U.S. Service member joins Okinawan volunteers to pick up trash during a bilateral community cleanup event at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 17 and 31, 2025. While working, they diligently separated glass, cans, plastics and burnable trash into separate containers for recycling. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Catherine Daniel)

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U.S. volunteers join Okinawans in city clean up

A U.S. Service member joins Okinawan volunteers to pick up trash during a bilateral community cleanup event at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 17 and 31, 2025. Cleanup participants formed groups and split up to cover four different courses outlined on the event map. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Catherine Daniel)

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U.S. volunteers join Okinawans in city clean up

Published Sept. 15, 2025
By Senior Airman Catherine Daniel
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – U.S. Service members and families join Okinawan volunteers to clean up the city streets surrounding Kadena Air Base’s Gate 2 as part of a bilateral community event that strengthened partnerships while building a relationship of respect in the host-nation community Aug. 17 and 31, 2025.

Over the two days, nearly 100 locals, military members and their families picked up over 40 bags worth of trash and debris from the historic city streets. The second day of the event opened with remarks by the Okinawa City Mayor and the Okinawa Citizens Charter Chairman. Volunteers received a brief from the event coordinators on the rules and regulations surrounding the pickup.

“The purpose of this event is to promote a clean and tidy city initiative led by the citizens themselves,” said a representative from the Okinawa Citizens’ Center.

Cleanup participants formed groups and split up to cover four different courses outlined on the event map. While working, they diligently separated glass, cans, plastics and burnable trash into separate containers for recycling.

“Dirty streets don’t represent how we as Americans should treat host nation communities,” said. Tech. Sgt. Edward Sims. “As guests and service members, it is necessary that we take care of the places we are allowed to live.”

After the event concluded, volunteers gathered to review the results of their efforts and reflect on the importance of taking personal interest in community upkeep. U.S. service members and Okinawa Citizens’ Center leaders exchanged contact information and discussed plans bilaterally to continue maintaining a cleaner city.

Events like this help bridge cultural gaps and strengthen the bond between U.S. service members and the local Japanese community. They also reflect the broader commitment to maintaining strong U.S.-Japan relations and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.