Fighting Tigers Continue A Strong Bond With Local Misawa Children

Courtesy Photo | MISAWA, Japan (July 27, 2019) - The “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) take a group photo with children from the local Akebono Orphanage during a community relations activity hosted by Naval Air Facilities Misawa . VP-8 is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Airman Lynee Thacker)  

MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JAPAN

07.27.2019

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Jerome Johnson 

Patrol Squadron EIGHT (VP-8)

MISAWA, Japan (NNS)– Sailors assigned to the “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, participated in a community relations (COMREL) project at Davy Jones Locker onboard Misawa Air Base July 27.

VP-8’s commanding officer, command master chief, and 19 Sailors arrived at Davy Jones Locker to set up activities for the children from the local Akebono orphanage.

“Our role as VP-8 was to set up so that when they got there we jump right into the activities.” said VP-8 community relations coordinator Chief Yeoman Michael Chin. “So we were in charge of setting up the dunk tank, kickball, bounce house, and preparing food.

When the children arrived the “Fighting Tigers” engaged with them in friendly games of volleyball, kickball, tug of war, and horseshoes.

“It felt good being able to put a smile on these kids’ faces. You don’t know what their situation is or why they are in this orphanage” said Airman Lynee Thacker. “It breaks your heart knowing that they are there but it feels good knowing that we were out here doing something to make their day better.

At the conclusion of the fun-filled activities VP-8 Sailors served the children hot dogs and hamburgers during a potluck luncheon.

“The bond between the Akebono orphanage and the Navy goes back 47 years. It was truly a deployment highlight for me to be able to meet these amazing young kids and continue the relationship,” said Commander Rodney Erler, Commanding Officer of VP-8.

VP-8 is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) area of operations conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations in support of Commander, Task Force 72, C7F, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 07.27.2019
• Date Posted: 08.07.2019 01:16
• Story ID: 334815
• Location: MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP