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USO Okinawa Staff Spotlight: Mariel ‘Mars’ Puga

Born and raised in the “furniture” capital of the world, Mariel “Mars” Puga joins the USO Okinawa team from North Carolina.

Photo Of Staff Sgt. Patrick Walsh and Senior Airman Edward Abisada talk with participants in the annual spill response exercise.

DLA Energy Okinawa hosts joint fuel spill response exercise

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Patrick Walsh, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron station chief, left, and Senior Airman Edward Abisada, 18th CES driver operator, engage in the annual spill response exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 29, 2024.

Photo Of U.S. Air Force Maj. James Gregory smilingly performs pre-flight checks on a U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon.

Raptors and falcons nest at Kadena AB, Okinawa

U.S. Air Force Maj. James Gregory, 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron weapons officer, performs pre-flight checks on a U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 77th EFS, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 9, 2024.

Photo Of U.S. Air Force Col. John Schutte, left, 5th Air Force deputy commander, greets Chief Master Sgt. Brandon Wolfgang, 18th Wing command chief, after arriving at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 2, 2024.

5th Air Force deputy commander visits Kadena

U.S. Air Force Col. John Schutte visited Kadena Air Base for an on-the-ground and aerial tour of the base to better learn of Kadena’s combat capabilities, operational readiness and its mission in keeping a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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Okinawa’s unique entrepreneur: Waqas Butt’s path to business success and community impact

Waqas Butt, the dynamic entrepreneur behind Fiza Carpet Co Ltd and Island Teak Co, has made a significant impact in Okinawa with his unique business ventures.

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USO Okinawa Staff Spotlight: Linda Beaulieu

Linda is the Center Operations Coordinator for USO Camp Foster and takes great pride in being part of the USO mission.

Photo Of Kazufumi Matayoshi, Logistics Readiness Center-Okinawa

403rd AFSB Personality Spotlight: Kazufumi Matayoshi LRC-Okinawa

Mr. Kazufumi Matayoshi consistently demonstrates professionalism, selfless service, and commitment to the Logistics Readiness Center-Okinawa and the Okinawan community.

Photo Of U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Grover Barham III stands at attention during his Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ceremony on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 23, 2024. The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal was awarded to Barham for his exceptional efforts during his time as the headquarters company executive officer. Barham, a native of Maryland, is an infantry officer with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division.

1st Lt. Grover Barham III Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal Ceremony on Camp Schwab, Okinawa

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Grover Barham III stands at attention during his Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ceremony on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 23, 2024.

Photo Of U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Cody McGuire, 18th Communications Squadrons enterprise technician, uses a fly away kit to set up phone lines during an agile combat employment exercise, Shogun Shield, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 18, 2024. The fly away kit is capable of generating secure lines of communication in austere locations which is necessary to call for supplies and receive instructions and information from Wing leadership.

Kadena produces airpower during Shogun Shield

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Cody McGuire, 18th Communications Squadrons enterprise technician, uses a fly away kit to set up phone lines during an agile combat employment exercise, Shogun Shield, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 18, 2024.

Photo Of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mitchell Brown, 18th Comptroller Squadron budget analyst, reviews financial documents as he works to close out the fiscal year’s budget at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 12, 2024. Funding for the fiscal year is appropriated by the U.S. Congress and then disseminated by the wing commander for unit usage.

Kadena AB 8th CPTS team efforts close out the fiscal year

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mitchell Brown, 18th Comptroller Squadron budget analyst, reviews financial documents as he works to close out the fiscal year’s budget at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 12, 2024.