Marine Corps Base Hawaii > News

How U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa is finding and stopping the spread of COVID-19 July 28, 2020 — U.S. Navy health professionals and Marines have been working around the clock to effectively trace and stop the spread of COVID-19 here, keeping service members ready to support the United States’ allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific. U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa has taken the lead on contact tracing with support from the Joint Service COVID-19 Response Cell. The JCRC was established to provide a central hub of COVID-19 information for the joint force on Okinawa... MORE

Task Force Koa Moana 20 deploys to strengthen relationships in Indo-Pacific July 27, 2020 — Task Force Koa Moana 20, comprised of U.S. Marines and sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force, deployed to the Indo-Pacific to conduct theater security cooperation activities in the Republic of Palau from July to September 2020. Task Force Koa Moana 20 is embarked aboard the expeditionary fast ship United States Naval Ship City of Bismarck, composed of approximately 100 U.S. Marines and Sailors from 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Logistics Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and I MEF Information Group... MORE

26TH MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT RETURNS FROM DEPLOYMENT July 13, 2020 — The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, marking the end of a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 2nd, 5th and 6th Fleets with the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group. While forward deployed aboard the ships of the USS Bataan ARG, the 26th MEU served as a crisis-response force for combatant commanders in the Europe, Africa and Central commands... MORE

III MEF Band and the JGSDF 15th Brigade Band perform together amidst COVID-19 July 8, 2020 — The III Marine Expeditionary Force and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 15th Brigade bands performed together from June 15 to 18 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The two bands came together to perform a rearrangement of “Cap’s Promise,” a piece composed by Henry Jackman, to thank all frontline workers, first responders and health care officials for all their contributions and continuing efforts while life surrounded by COVID-19 becomes the new normal... MORE

Marines, wrestling coaches partner to build wrestling community June 17, 2020 — The National Wrestling Coaches Association hosted an online webinar featuring Marines and wrestling influencers who are leaders in their organizations, June 10, 2020. The webinar, titled “Marines and Wrestling: Developing the Next Great American Generation,” was part of NWCA’s scholastic wrestling webinar series sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. The series is designed for ongoing coaching development and to inform coaches and influencers of opportunities to involve Marines in their programs... MORE

Mission Critical: Successful Blood Drive, Potential Lives Saved June 11, 2020 — Headquarters and Service Battalion, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, U.S. Marine Corps Forces command hosted an Armed Services Blood Program blood drive at the Hopkins Hall Gymnasium, at Camp Elmore, Norfolk, Virginia, May 28, 2020. The blood drive provided an opportunity for service members, personnel, and their families to donate blood amid Coronavirus Disease 2019. “The blood drive at Camp Elmore provided us with over 50 donors, which is incredible,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Alisa Agey, the division officer of the Blood Donor Center at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth... MORE

Annual DoD Warrior Games canceled amid COVID concerns May 29, 2020 — As the U.S. continues to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic, the U.S. Marine Corps and City of San Antonio leadership remain committed to the safety and health of our service members and local communities. As the lead planners for the 2020 Warrior Games, the Marine Corps announced the decision to cancel the Games, citing the paramount concerns for the health and well- being of the 300 U.S. military active-duty and veteran athletes, international military teams, and residents within the greater San Antonio area... MORE

DOD Officials Unveil COVID-Related Personnel, Move Guidance May 27, 2020 — Defense Department officials outlined a conditions-based approach to relaxing the stop-movement order that has been in effect since early March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper issued the order in early March, and in April, he extended the ban through June 30. At a Pentagon news conference on May 26, Matthew P. Donovan, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said Esper signed a memo lifting the June 30 travel restrictions and transitioning to a conditions-based phased approach for personnel movement and travel... MORE

Navy, Marines, Coast Guard to honor Memorial Day through online tributes during Virtual Fleet Week New York May 24, 2020 — The U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard will host a series of online commemorative events for the public tomorrow to honor Memorial Day during Virtual Fleet Week New York. Memorial Day is a national holiday where the nation pauses to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Tribute videos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will include morning colors aboard Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, a highlight reel of filmed during Memorial Day parades in New York City, and the U.S. Marine Corps will conclude the day with a moving performance of “Taps,” among others... MORE

Changing of Health Protection Condition Levels During COVID-19 May 21, 2020 — Effective May 20th, Secretary Esper updated guidance to commanders on changing local Force Health Protection Condition levels to allow bases to begin planning to return to normal operations in the COVID environment. This guidance sets the considerations and processes for commanders who are seeking to adjust their local HPCON levels in a manner that will continue to protect our personnel from further spread of COVID-19 and preserve the operational readiness of our global force. Under this guidance, commanders make deliberate, risk-based decisions to change HPCON levels as conditions allow. Commanders will take into consideration guidance from the CDC; collaboration with state, territorial and local health authorities; and advice from... MORE