WEBVTT 00:11.029 --> 00:13.140 Hello and welcome to the Zama Pulse . 00:13.140 --> 00:16.020 I'm Staff Sergeant Caitlin Brodie Kam 00:16.030 --> 00:18.141 Zama opened its gates to thousands of 00:18.141 --> 00:20.363 Japanese visitors on August 3rd for the 00:20.363 --> 00:22.141 installation's annual Bona Dori 00:22.141 --> 00:24.479 Friendship Festival . About 15,000 00:24.489 --> 00:26.711 people attended the event and enjoyed a 00:26.711 --> 00:28.878 day of food , music , games , and bond 00:28.878 --> 00:30.989 dancing . Several dance teams made up 00:30.989 --> 00:33.156 of soldiers and family members on Camp 00:33.156 --> 00:35.156 Zama , as well as Japan ground self 00:35.156 --> 00:36.989 defense force members took turns 00:36.989 --> 00:39.211 showcasing their moves on a large tower 00:39.211 --> 00:41.156 as they danced to traditional Bond 00:41.156 --> 00:43.211 music . It has been a long time that 00:43.211 --> 00:45.419 we've been doing this and what I think 00:45.430 --> 00:48.110 that represents is the strength of our 00:48.119 --> 00:50.599 relationship and it has such meaning 00:50.610 --> 00:52.499 over the generations and over the 00:52.499 --> 00:54.666 decades , there's a lot of people that 00:54.666 --> 00:56.554 remember these special events and 00:56.554 --> 00:58.388 special friendships that they've 00:58.388 --> 01:00.443 created . Kama's Bond Dance Festival 01:00.443 --> 01:02.499 began in 1959 . This year marked the 01:02.499 --> 01:06.059 65th anniversary of the event . After 01:06.069 --> 01:08.459 nearly 70 years of activities in Japan , 01:08.610 --> 01:10.610 the US army , Japan Band officially 01:10.610 --> 01:13.050 held an inactivation ceremony on August 01:13.059 --> 01:15.319 9th at Camp Sama's Kazuna Hall , the 01:15.330 --> 01:17.552 commander and first sergeant case , the 01:17.552 --> 01:19.719 units colors signifying the end of the 01:19.719 --> 01:21.774 user J band's mission from the times 01:21.774 --> 01:23.997 when drums would be to signal the march 01:23.997 --> 01:26.139 forward into battle to serving his 01:26.150 --> 01:28.660 peace time musical ambassadors . As our 01:28.669 --> 01:31.029 band here is done , they have provided 01:31.040 --> 01:33.709 morale and a spree to our nation's 01:33.720 --> 01:36.110 soldiers as well as served as a bridge 01:36.120 --> 01:38.779 of goodwill to local communities . Over 01:38.790 --> 01:40.901 the past nearly 70 years , the user J 01:40.901 --> 01:42.790 band performed at numerous venues 01:42.790 --> 01:44.679 throughout Japan for a variety of 01:44.679 --> 01:47.089 audiences , both military and Japanese . 01:47.550 --> 01:49.494 Their performances reached tens of 01:49.494 --> 01:51.217 thousands of people and helped 01:51.217 --> 01:53.439 strengthen the relationship between the 01:53.439 --> 01:55.606 US army in Japan and its host nation , 01:56.209 --> 01:58.153 the professionals in the US army , 01:58.153 --> 02:00.098 Japan band , both past and present 02:00.098 --> 02:02.098 brought memorable music to military 02:02.098 --> 02:04.320 communities in the country of Japan for 02:04.320 --> 02:06.431 several decades . And their impact is 02:06.431 --> 02:08.653 certain to be remembered for many years 02:08.653 --> 02:11.378 to come . The 35th combat sustainment 02:11.389 --> 02:13.589 Support battalion was deactivated and 02:13.598 --> 02:16.578 activated as the 7 65th Transportation 02:16.589 --> 02:18.533 Terminal Battalion during a recent 02:18.533 --> 02:20.748 ceremony on Kama , the commander and 02:20.759 --> 02:22.815 command Sergeant Major presided over 02:22.815 --> 02:24.981 the deactivation of the unit under its 02:24.981 --> 02:27.092 old name , followed by its activation 02:27.092 --> 02:28.979 under its new name as the 7 65th 02:28.988 --> 02:31.210 Transportation Terminal Battalion . I'm 02:31.210 --> 02:33.321 extremely proud , extremely excited . 02:33.321 --> 02:35.321 The philosophy we have right now is 02:35.321 --> 02:37.750 trained and ready across the Indo 02:37.889 --> 02:40.970 Pacific region . We provide a truly 02:40.979 --> 02:43.820 expeditionary capability to the 02:43.830 --> 02:46.880 commander . We can move to a fixed port 02:46.889 --> 02:50.039 area , establish ourselves and operate 02:50.050 --> 02:52.679 to support the flow of troops and 02:52.690 --> 02:55.080 equipment into any location . Across 02:55.089 --> 02:57.200 the Pacific . After months of hearing 02:57.200 --> 02:59.256 resident feedback , the Kama housing 02:59.256 --> 03:01.422 Office recently published a new policy 03:01.422 --> 03:03.478 that now allows pets in both housing 03:03.478 --> 03:05.360 towers here on Kama . The policy 03:05.369 --> 03:07.369 updates and clarifies certain rules 03:07.369 --> 03:09.480 while consolidating other pet related 03:09.480 --> 03:11.702 regulations . A significant change will 03:11.702 --> 03:13.591 permit up to two dogs , cats or a 03:13.591 --> 03:15.647 combination of both in residences on 03:15.647 --> 03:17.919 the first three floors of building 1050 03:18.479 --> 03:20.679 up to two cats in residences on all 03:20.690 --> 03:24.619 floors of buildings . 1057 43 the 03:24.630 --> 03:26.852 sunflower is the official symbol of the 03:26.852 --> 03:28.797 city of Zama , which neighbors and 03:28.797 --> 03:30.686 lends its namesake to the US army 03:30.686 --> 03:32.963 installation of Camp Zama . Every year , 03:32.970 --> 03:35.137 the city hosts a multi day festival to 03:35.137 --> 03:37.139 celebrate the sunflower . Those in 03:37.149 --> 03:39.093 attendance can admire acres of the 03:39.093 --> 03:41.205 bright yellow blooms , take photos in 03:41.205 --> 03:42.927 popular selfie spots and enjoy 03:42.927 --> 03:45.093 activities like games and refreshments 03:45.093 --> 03:47.619 from various food vendors , Zama Mida 03:47.910 --> 03:49.910 Sato invited the US army garrison , 03:49.910 --> 03:51.966 Japan Command , Sergeant Major , his 03:51.966 --> 03:53.799 family and the garrison's deputy 03:53.799 --> 03:56.021 commander to this year's festival . She 03:56.021 --> 03:58.243 escorted them around the site including 03:58.243 --> 04:00.410 an area where months earlier Camp Zama 04:00.410 --> 04:02.132 volunteers had planted tens of 04:02.132 --> 04:04.354 thousands of sunflowers that have since 04:04.354 --> 04:06.299 blossomed . The mayor spoke of the 04:06.299 --> 04:08.521 importance of the sunflower as a symbol 04:08.521 --> 04:10.743 of her city as well as what it meant to 04:10.743 --> 04:12.410 have the US army community in 04:12.410 --> 04:12.059 attendance . 04:45.799 --> 04:49.429 You to garrison command Sergeant Major 04:49.440 --> 04:51.607 David Rio expressed his thanks for the 04:51.607 --> 04:53.718 invitation to experience the festival 04:53.718 --> 04:55.718 and echoed the importance of the US 04:55.718 --> 04:57.718 army building a strong relationship 04:57.718 --> 04:59.718 with his neighboring city . That is 04:59.718 --> 05:02.170 such a great opportunity that we get to 05:02.179 --> 05:04.910 partake in their traditions . And then 05:04.920 --> 05:07.087 it's a sharing between our communities 05:07.087 --> 05:09.309 much like we share with other community 05:09.309 --> 05:11.531 outside our gates . Um During our large 05:11.531 --> 05:13.420 open post events , we also get to 05:13.420 --> 05:15.753 exchange in the local community as well . 05:16.179 --> 05:18.346 The basic rider course level one which 05:18.346 --> 05:20.568 qualifies motorcycle riders to take the 05:20.568 --> 05:22.929 roads in Japan was revived at Yokohama 05:22.940 --> 05:25.162 North Dock with his first class in July 05:25.162 --> 05:27.107 following a year long hiatus . The 05:27.107 --> 05:29.273 course is designed to teach riders how 05:29.273 --> 05:31.273 to safely operate and control their 05:31.273 --> 05:33.384 motorcycle on Japanese roadways which 05:33.384 --> 05:35.496 can differ from driving in the US . A 05:35.496 --> 05:37.718 group of riders from new to experienced 05:37.718 --> 05:39.662 attended the first offering of the 05:39.662 --> 05:41.662 revived course . During the two day 05:41.662 --> 05:43.718 course , attendees learned about the 05:43.718 --> 05:45.940 mechanics of motorcycles and then moved 05:45.940 --> 05:47.884 to the hands on portion where they 05:47.884 --> 05:50.107 practiced turning , taking tight curves 05:50.107 --> 05:51.829 and proper leaning and control 05:51.829 --> 05:53.718 techniques . The riders were then 05:53.718 --> 05:55.884 required to take an exam after passing 05:55.884 --> 05:57.773 the level one course , riders are 05:57.773 --> 05:57.769 qualified to ride their motorcycle on 05:57.779 --> 06:00.089 us installations after 60 days of 06:00.100 --> 06:02.100 riding in which they need to log at 06:02.100 --> 06:04.433 least 100 and 50 kilometers on the road . 06:04.433 --> 06:06.600 They're eligible to take the level two 06:06.600 --> 06:08.656 course passing . That means they can 06:08.656 --> 06:11.049 ride anywhere in Japan . Soldiers 06:11.059 --> 06:13.115 assigned to the 10th missile defense 06:13.115 --> 06:15.448 battery at the Shiki communication site , 06:15.448 --> 06:17.503 participated in the Goshi Gara Tchin 06:17.503 --> 06:19.899 AUA Festival on August 8th . During the 06:19.910 --> 06:22.077 event , the soldiers assisted with the 06:22.077 --> 06:23.966 movement of the floats during the 06:23.966 --> 06:26.021 festival which is one of the largest 06:26.021 --> 06:27.966 gatherings of its kind in northern 06:27.966 --> 06:30.021 Japan . It is said that beginning in 06:30.021 --> 06:31.688 the early 19 hundreds , large 06:31.688 --> 06:33.910 landowners used to compete against each 06:33.910 --> 06:33.589 other for who could build the tallest 06:33.600 --> 06:35.820 float . The event serves as one of 06:35.829 --> 06:37.996 several opportunities for the soldiers 06:37.996 --> 06:39.996 and contractors on Shiki to immerse 06:39.996 --> 06:41.940 themselves in Japanese culture and 06:41.940 --> 06:44.290 engage with the local community . A 06:44.299 --> 06:46.521 group of soldiers from the 14th missile 06:46.521 --> 06:48.688 defense battery stationed at the Kyoga 06:48.688 --> 06:50.632 Masaki communication site recently 06:50.632 --> 06:52.855 participated in the 70th anniversary of 06:52.855 --> 06:55.132 Miyazu City's municipal Foundation Day . 06:55.132 --> 06:57.299 During the event , the soldiers set up 06:57.299 --> 06:59.243 a booth where visitors could get a 06:59.243 --> 07:01.410 hands on , look at us army equipment , 07:01.410 --> 07:03.243 they also put on a weightlifting 07:03.243 --> 07:05.299 demonstration and posed for photos . 07:05.299 --> 07:07.466 One of the highlights of the event was 07:07.466 --> 07:09.355 an aerial demonstration from Blue 07:09.355 --> 07:11.410 Impulse , the Japan Air Self Defense 07:11.410 --> 07:13.632 Forces , Premier aerobatic display team 07:13.632 --> 07:15.743 as part of the show . Eight aircrafts 07:15.743 --> 07:17.966 did a flyover above Amano Hashida , one 07:17.966 --> 07:20.188 of Japan's most scenic spots . The Blue 07:20.188 --> 07:22.243 Impulse team lasted a flyover in the 07:22.243 --> 07:24.299 area in 2007 during a celebration of 07:24.299 --> 07:26.829 the 50th anniversary of the Jasdfs 07:26.839 --> 07:30.829 Kyoga Maaki sub base also in Kyoga 07:31.299 --> 07:33.077 Masaki , soldiers and civilians 07:33.077 --> 07:35.132 assigned to the 14th missile defense 07:35.132 --> 07:37.188 Battery recently participated in the 07:37.200 --> 07:39.144 Kyoga Dragon canoe race during the 07:39.144 --> 07:41.420 event . Nearly 96 teams from the local 07:41.429 --> 07:44.040 area including from Kyoto , Osaka and 07:44.049 --> 07:46.271 Kobe competed in both men's and women's 07:46.271 --> 07:48.493 divisions . There were teams made up of 07:48.493 --> 07:50.493 both soldiers from the 14th Missile 07:50.493 --> 07:52.438 Defense Battery and civilians from 07:52.438 --> 07:54.730 Kyoga Masaki . A team made up of Jasdf 07:54.739 --> 07:57.089 members and an all female mixed team 07:57.100 --> 07:59.700 made up of us army soldiers , Jasdf 07:59.709 --> 08:01.869 members , Japanese civilian employees 08:01.880 --> 08:04.010 and local community members . During 08:04.019 --> 08:06.241 the competition , each of the teams got 08:06.241 --> 08:08.463 in their canoes to compete in the 300 m 08:08.463 --> 08:10.630 race . 10 teams were narrowed down to 08:10.640 --> 08:12.807 six for a final race in both the men's 08:12.807 --> 08:15.959 and women's division . The US army JSTF 08:15.970 --> 08:18.081 and Kya Masaki teams were knocked out 08:18.081 --> 08:20.137 in the preliminary match but the all 08:20.137 --> 08:22.248 female mixed team took sixth place in 08:22.248 --> 08:24.510 their division . That's it for this 08:24.519 --> 08:26.741 month's edition of the Zama Pulse . I'm 08:26.741 --> 08:28.963 staff Sergeant Caitlin Brodie and we'll 08:28.963 --> 08:31.630 see you next month . It .