US, Japan chief petty officers share holiday culture

Photo By Joseph Schmitt | Senior Chief Quartermaster Andy Moburg pounds rice into mochi with a chief from Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at the U.S. Navy and JMSDF CPO Association mochi pounding, Dec. 15. The annual event brings chief petty officers from both countries together for a fun cultural cookout where participants pound rice into mochi and build friendships.  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

12.15.2012

Story by Joseph Schmitt 

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka

U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Chief Petty Officers celebrated the holidays together with a mochi pounding and party at JMSDF Yokosuka Base, Dec. 15.

Commander Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka Capt. David Owen and Command Master Chief Martin King gave opening remarks. Then they broke open the Japanese sake barrel with members of the JMSDF Chief Petty Officers’ Association and cut the cake to start the festivities.

“These events go a long way to strengthen the alliance and building important friendships,” said King. “And, it’s always good to experience the culture of our host country.”

The annual event brings the two groups and their families together in a traditional Japanese cultural celebration that goes on at the very end or the very beginning of each year. Mochi is simply rice that has been cooked and then pounded with a large mallet until it is sticky.

“If you haven’t tried it, it is a good experience, a good way to experience some of the culture,” said Owen. “The camaraderie and the relationship we build is an important thing because we are part of the community and we like to come out and show our support.”

Owen and other volunteers took their turns at the mallet to pound the rice into mochi. Difference flavors like sweet beans, soy sauce, and other favorites are added and then the partiers ate the mochi while it was still warm.

“I’m well acquainted with the other Japanese food they have, the yakisoba, the yakitori and I’ve had the prepackaged mochi before but this is the first time for me with making and eating fresh mochi,” said Senior Chief Quartermaster Andy Moburg, from FLEACT Yokosuka Harbor Operations.

The day was rainy but it didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of the partiers. The band still played, and people still had fun.

The JMSDF put on a demonstration showing how they track and deal with submarines using aircraft. In the demonstration the aircraft were modified mopeds with a airplane body attached. Three Japanese P-3 style planes chased down the submarine, also a modified moped, while the music from the movie “Top Gun” played over speakers.

“It’s a great day, we’re having a good time,” said Moburg. “I definitely recommend getting out to one of these events while you are stationed out here.”

• Date Taken: 12.15.2012
• Date Posted: 01.11.2013 02:53
• Story ID: 100234
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP