This website was created and maintained from May 2020 to May 2021 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Stars and Stripes operations in the Pacific.
It will no longer be updated, but we encourage you to explore the site and view content we felt best illustrated Stars and Stripes' continued support of the Pacific theater since 1945.
Great East Japan Earthquake
From Tohoku to Tyndall, Air Force dependent faced down two historic natural disasters
Brianne Engle may be one of the few people affiliated with the U.S. military to be front and center for two historic natural disasters in two parts of the world, seven years apart.
Some normalcy returns to bases, relief for Japanese rolls in
Life started to return to normal Sunday for still-wary U.S. servicemembers and their families at most military bases throughout Japan, even as Japanese officials acknowledged Friday’s disaster may be exponentially worse than initially feared.
U.S. bases in Japan begin distributing potassium iodide pills
The military began distributing potassium iodide pills as a precaution against radiological sickness at bases on the Japanese main island of Honshu, but emphasized that no one should take the pills unless directed.
First military evacuation flight leaves Japan
The first flight carrying U.S. military family members out of Japan left Yokota Air Base around 5 p.m. Saturday, beginning what could be a voluntary departure of hundreds or even thousands of Americans in coming days as concerns grow over a looming nuclear disaster.
Power restored in Misawa City; base still down
Power was restored to Misawa City late Saturday night, raising hopes that Misawa Air Base soon would follow suit.
At Misawa, 'cold, miserable and scared people'
For several hours after the first quake struck, Misawa Air Base on the Pacific coast of northern Japan was in a blackout.
Misawa power returning, school canceled; other Japan bases return mostly to normal
Misawa Air Base continued to slowly recover from Friday’s earthquake, while other bases throughout Japan announced relatively normal schedules for Monday.
