Photo By Senior Airman Luis E. Rios Calderon | U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 18th Communications Squadron basketball team and the...... read more read more
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KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — Under the bright lights of a gym in Ginowan City, Okinawa, two teams met not as rivals, but as neighbors. On August 14, 2025, Airmen from the 18th Communications Squadron faced off against the Okinawan prefectural basketball team in a friendly match that brought together competition, camaraderie, and cultural exchange.
Hosted by the Okinawa Basketball Association, the spirited exhibition served as an opportunity to connect through a shared passion for sport.
Airmen with the 18th CS jumped at the opportunity to test their skills against their host-nation counterparts. The court was filled with talent from both sides, including several national-level Japanese athletes, creating a fast-paced, high-energy matchup grounded in teamwork and respect.
“We might speak different languages, but tonight we spoke the same language on the court,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Emmanuel Morrison, 18th CS expeditionary communications non-commissioned officer in charge. We all understand the game, and today we had an in-depth conversation in a way that translated beyond words. It opened the door to more opportunities to compete together and build something greater.”
The match sparked enthusiasm on both sides for future games and deeper cooperation through sports.
“The U.S. team’s heights, strengths and playing styles are very different from our team,” said Kenda Adaiya, manager of the Okinawan prefectural representative team. “It helps us improve how we play against opponents with that stature, and it was a nice challenge for both teams.”
Organizers emphasized the importance of events like this in building lasting bonds between American service members and the local Okinawan community.
Though tired from the game, both teams left the court with more than sore muscles — they carried a renewed understanding and appreciation for one another.
Events like this do more than entertain. They show how sports can transcend language and cultural barriers, reinforcing the enduring U.S.-Japan alliance, and reflect a shared commitment to promoting peace, partnership, and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.20.2025 21:51 |
| Story ID: | 546097 |
| Location: | GINOWAN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Passing the Ball, Bridging the Gap, by SrA Luis E. Rios Calderon, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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