Brian McElhiney
@brianmcelhiney.bsky.social
Reporter for Stars and Stripes, covering the U.S. military on Okinawa, Japan. Shares are not endorsements.
A Marine accused by Japanese prosecutors of sexual assault appeared impaired and behaved strangely before the incident in March 2025 in a Marine Corps gym bathroom, two witnesses testified in a Japanese court recently.
Marine accused of sexual assault was ‘out of his mind,’ fellow Marine testifies
A Marine accused of sexual assault appeared impaired and behaved strangely before the incident in a base gym bathroom, two witnesses testified.
stripes.com
A general with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan has taken command of the Marine Corps’ only expeditionary force permanently deployed overseas amid heightened security concerns in the Pacific and an ongoing force restructuring.
New commander takes over III MEF during ‘strategic complexity’ in Pacific
Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson assumed command of the Marine Corps’ only expeditionary force permanently deployed overseas amid an ongoing force restructuring.
stripes.com
A jet fuel spill at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa in May 2024 released about 14 times more fuel than the U.S. military originally reported, according to a report obtained by a local environmental organization.
Test failure released 720 gallons of jet fuel at Okinawa air base in 2024, report says
A jet fuel spill at Kadena Air Base released about 14 times more fuel than the U.S. military originally reported, according to a report.
stripes.com
Marine Corps capabilities and tactics are evolving alongside those of the Japanese military as they face increasing threats in the Pacific region, the Marines’ top general in Okinawa said as he prepares to relinquish command.
Marine general on Okinawa in exit interview touts ‘maturity’ of US-Japan alliance
Marine Corps and Japanese military capabilities are evolving as they face increasing threats in the Pacific region, the Marines’ top general in Okinawa said.
stripes.com
Japan’s Ishigaki island, a popular southwestern tourist destination and home to a Japanese army base, is battening down for Typhoon Bavi’s expected arrival early Saturday.
Japan’s southwestern islands brace for weakened, still dangerous Typhoon Bavi
Japan’s Ishigaki island, a popular tourist destination and home to a Japanese army base, is battening down for Typhoon Bavi’s expected Saturday arrival.
stripes.com
Russia, China ‘expanding and intensifying’ naval activity in waters around Japan
Russia, China ‘expanding and intensifying’ naval activity in waters around Japan
China exercised its ability to transit Japan’s stretch of the first island chain by sending 10 warships through its maritime passes in the past week.
stripes.com
U.S. Navy’s Okinawa-based expeditionary force welcomes new commander www.stripes.com/branches/nav...
US Navy’s Okinawa-based expeditionary force welcomes new commander
A former amphibious assault ship commander took charge of the U.S. 7th Fleet’s expeditionary command, which oversees amphibious operations in the Pacific.
stripes.com
An annual exercise by the Chinese and Russian navies that began Monday represents a challenge this year to the international order upheld by the U.S. as its diplomatic and military prowess is in question, according to defense analysts.
China-Russia naval exercise challenges US-led military might in Pacific, experts say
The Joint Sea exercise represents a challenge this year to the international order upheld by the U.S., according to defense analysts.
stripes.com
An F-15EX Eagle II arrived at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa earlier this week for temporary training ahead of a contingent of permanently based aircraft due sometime next year, according to the 18th Wing.
Hint of things to come: F-15EX arrives on Okinawa for local training
An F-15EX Eagle II arrived at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa for temporary training ahead of a contingent of permanently based aircraft, the 18th Wing said.
stripes.com
Marines on Okinawa have begun fielding three new missile systems that provide the backbone of a critical island defense network as the Marine Corps continues its shift to littoral warfare.
Marine missile systems unveiled on Okinawa as US-Japan exercise concludes
Marines on Okinawa have begun fielding three new missile systems that provide the backbone of a critical island defense network.
stripes.com
U.S. Marines and Japanese infantry rained live fire on this training ground on Kyushu recently while rehearsing the means to seize and defend contested islands during the centerpiece drill of this year’s Resolute Dragon.
Marines, Japanese soldiers employ live fire during island warfare exercise Resolute Dragon
U.S. Marines and Japanese infantry rained live fire on a training ground on Kyushu during the centerpiece drill of this year’s Resolute Dragon.
stripes.com
A U.S. Air Force veteran who recently died while snorkeling in Okinawa helped launch an Alaska organization that takes veterans out on the grueling Iron Dog snowmobile race.
Air Force veteran who died on Okinawa helped launch snowmobiling veterans group in Alaska
James J. Chopik’s friends remembered the Air Force veteran as a dedicated pal who took pride in his service and his later civilian work.
stripes.com
A U.S. civilian who died Wednesday while snorkeling at a popular beach in southern Okinawa was an Air Force veteran deployed to Kadena Air Base from Alaska, the 18th Wing announced.
US civilian who died snorkeling on Okinawa was Air Force veteran from Alaska
James J. Chopik was a general schedule employee assigned to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 3rd Wing, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
stripes.com
U.S. military bases on Okinawa were bracing Thursday for Tropical Storm Mekkhala, the second storm to target the island in a month.
US bases on Okinawa prepare for second tropical storm in a month
U.S. military bases on Okinawa were bracing for Tropical Storm Mekkhala, the second storm to target the island in a month.
stripes.com
U.S. Marines and Navy sailors on Wednesday demonstrated how their temporary port would deliver aid and medical care on remote islands where the local infrastructure is out of commission.
Marines, sailors demonstrate humanitarian aid capabilities on Okinawa beach
The III Marine Expeditionary Force and Maritime Pre-Positioning Ship Squadron 3 conducted the one-day Exercise Freedom Banner.
stripes.com
A U.S. civilian with the Air Force on Okinawa died Tuesday while snorkeling near a popular beach, according to the Japan coast guard.
US Air Force civilian dies in snorkeling incident in southern Okinawa
An unidentified individual deployed to Kadena Air Base died after emergency responders attempted life-saving measures.
stripes.com
Thousands gathered at Peace Memorial Park on Tuesday to reflect on the horrors of war during ceremonies marking the 81st anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa.
Okinawa memorial day speakers reflect on sacrifice, peace and ‘heavy burden’ of US bases
Thousands gathered at Peace Memorial Park to reflect on the horrors of war during ceremonies marking the 81st anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa.
stripes.com
The U.S. Army will deploy its mid-range missile system, Typhon, to Japan’s southernmost main island for the first time during two major exercises planned for this month and September.
US Army sending Typhon missile systems to southern Japan for upcoming drills
U.S. deploys Typhon system to Kyushu, Japan, during Valiant Shield, boosting Indo-Pacific deterrence and strengthening U.S.-Japan defense cooperation.
stripes.com
The last of six Basque-American troops killed during the Battle of Okinawa will soon join nearly 250,000 other names on a memorial honoring those who died in one of World War II’s bloodiest fights.
Name of Basque-American Marine to be added to Okinawa battle memorial
The last of six Basque-American troops killed during the Battle of Okinawa will join nearly 250,000 other names on a memorial honoring those who died in the fight.
stripes.com
Japanese prosecutors will not charge a U.S. soldier who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman on Okinawa in April.
Japanese prosecutors drop sexual assault case against US soldier on Okinawa
Japanese prosecutors will not charge a U.S. soldier who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman on Okinawa last month.
stripes.com
A general who rose through the enlisted ranks is back on Okinawa to lead Marine Corps installations across the Pacific.
Former enlisted Marine returns to Okinawa to lead installations command
Brig. Gen. Ralph Rizzo Jr. assumed command of Marine Corps Installations Pacific.
stripes.com
A Japanese woman testified Tuesday in a Japanese court that a U.S. Marine climbed into a bathroom stall at a Marine Corps gym in March 2025, pinned her to the door and sexually assaulted her.
Woman testifies Marine climbed into gym bathroom stall, sexually assaulted her
stripes.com
An Okinawa-based U.S. soldier has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after pleading guilty to possessing more than 1,100 child sexual abuse images.
Okinawa-based soldier gets 20 months in prison for having child sexual abuse images
An Okinawa-based U.S. soldier has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after pleading guilty to possessing more than 1,100 child sexual abuse images.
stripes.com
Nearly 1,100 enlisted Marines will soon move into a new barracks complex featuring private bedrooms and modern amenities as part of a broader effort to upgrade military housing on Okinawa.
Marines get private rooms in new ‘barracks of the future’ complex on Okinawa
Nearly 1,100 enlisted Marines will soon move into Camp Hansen’s new bachelor enlisted quarters complex.
stripes.com
A Japanese court on Thursday ordered a U.S. Marine convicted of choking and attempting to sexually assault a woman to pay the victim about $41,200 in compensation plus interest.
Japanese court orders Marine to pay $41K in civil damages for attempted sexual assault
Japanese Court ordered Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton to pay his victim about $41,200 in compensation plus interest while serving his 7-year sentence.
stripes.com
A Japanese court has ordered a U.S. airman convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl to pay about $20,600 in compensation, increasing an earlier award after he challenged the ruling.
Court increases civil damages against airman convicted of Okinawa sexual assault
A Japanese court has ordered a U.S. airman convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl to pay about $20,600 in compensation.
stripes.com
Japanese V-22 Ospreys are set to operate from a U.S. Marine Corps base on Okinawa for the first time and conduct flights to islands near Taiwan during a major joint exercise focused on island defense, according to Japan’s Ministry of Defense.
Japan’s V-22 Ospreys to fly from US Marine base on Okinawa for first time
Three Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Ospreys will deploy to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma during Resolute Dragon, scheduled for June 20-30.
stripes.com
Typhoon Jangmi — the first major storm to strike Okinawa in nearly three years — passed over the island Monday evening with little damage reported at U.S. military installations despite strong winds and scattered power outages.
US military bases on Okinawa weather Typhoon Jangmi with limited disruptions
stripes.com
Okinawa, including scores of U.S. military bases, battened down Monday and braced for Jangmi, the first typhoon to hit the island in nearly three years.
Okinawa bases brace for Typhoon Jangmi, island’s first major storm in 3 years
Okinawa battened down and braced for Jangmi, the first typhoon to hit the island in nearly three years.
stripes.com
Okinawa authorities and U.S. military leaders have met for a second time to review the progress of cooperative measures over the past year to stem criminal behavior by U.S. service members.
Okinawa, US military leaders discuss police patrol progress at joint forum
Authorities reviewed the effects of cooperative measures over the past year to stem criminal behavior by U.S. service members.
stripes.com