AFN Pacific Update

U.S. Army Col. Ryan Workman, commander at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, speaks about the 2024 Lunar New Year event at Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, Feb. 2, 2024. The event was held to show appreciation for local community leaders and officials. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Trevor Bell)

Camp Lejeune based U.S. Marines from 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, currently forward deployed in the Pacific with III MEF, are in the Republic of Korea focused on building war fighting skills with their ROK Marine brothers. The Korean Marine Exchange Program 16-3 brings the two Corps together during the holidays at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, South Korea. The two groups of Marines are coming together to celebrate the holidays alongside their fellow Marine brothers and sisters.

Orient Shield 23 kicked off their opening ceremony at Camp Higashichitose, Japan, Hosted by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force on Thursday, September 14, 2023. Orient Shield is the largest bilateral field training exercise between the United States Army and the JGSDF, that started over 38 years ago in 1982. The exercise will be executed in various locations throughout Japan to test and refine multi-domain and cross-domain operations and assist with enhancing interoperability between the two nations, by using warfighter simulation and realistic field training exercises that included infantry, army aviation, and HIMARS live fire. It will also include logistic movements by air, land and sea. Orient Shield 23 will continue to strengthen the long standing partnership between the US Army and JGSDF.( Video by Navy Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Victoria Schiebel)

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet hosted a multilateral roundtable with the navies of Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Members of U.S. Congress visit Soldiers in Shariki, Japan.

Many Americans celebrate the Memorial Day weekend with barbecues and other summer festivities. Petty Officer Jeremy Graham tells us how sailors at Fleet Activities Sasebo skipped the picnics for some hard work to embrace the holiday.

One of the perks of being a service member stationed in the pacific region is the ability to visit World War II battle sites. Marines and sailors stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni had the chance to hop on a C-40A, fly to Iwo To, formerly known as Iwo Jima, and hike up mount Suribachi. Marine Corporal David Bickel trekked with Iwakuni service members to bring you the story.

Most people wouldn't drive forty minutes to spend their Saturday morning on an ice rink. SrA Nick Dastas shows us one Airmen who won’t let his age get in his way.

Sometimes when you are at the start line of a race you can’t even imagine what the finish looks like or if you’ll even make it. Army Sgt Matt Krohmer takes us to a group of people trying to cross that line.

Imagine enlisting in the military while president Richard Nixon was just beginning his term in office. Army sergeant frank Sanchez tells us about a person whose service has stood the test of time.