Photo By Senior Airman Melany Bermudez | Okinawa community member volunteers pick up litter during Operation Golden Gate 2, at...... read more read more
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OKINAWA CITY, Japan -- Demonstrating that service extends beyond the installation gates, two Kadena Airmen were honored March 8, 2026, for leading a community cleanup effort that reflects the 18th Wing’s enduring commitment to being good neighbors and strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance.
The Okinawa City Community Center presented certificates of exceptional volunteer service to U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Edward Terrell Sims II, 33rd Rescue Generation Squadron, HH-60W Jolly Green II expediter, and Airman 1st Class Nicolas Cardona, 18th Operational Support Squadron intelligence analyst, for spearheading “Operation: Golden Gate 2”.
The volunteer initiative brings together service members and local residents to clean and beautify the area surrounding Gate 2 Street, a bustling district just outside Kadena Air Base. What started as a small effort has grown into a recurring partnership built on consistency, visibility and trust.
The event began outside of the Okinawa City Community Center where Team Kadena Airmen, city leaders and community members gathered before splitting up into groups to collect litter and tidy up public spaces within the vicinity.
After walking up and down Gate 2 street, everyone involved reunited at the Okinawa City Community Center where two Airmen were presented certificates of exceptional volunteer service.
Mr. Kenji Matsuda, Okinawa City Community Center chairman and primary event organizer, thanked volunteers and personally commend the two Airmen for their sustained dedication.
"We [have been] sincerely impressed by their quiet dedication and steady commitment to keeping the area clean,” said Matsuda. “Their initiative and consistency has made a lasting impression.”
Since helping launch the initiative, Sims has volunteered 111 hours and helped remove approximately 12,000 pounds of debris from the community. He said the work is about more than picking up trash.
"This is about more than just keeping the streets clean; it's about building relationships and showing our appreciation for the community that welcomes us," said Sims. "To be recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the city is a true honor. We are proud to serve alongside our Okinawan friends."
Cardona, who has volunteered more than 30 Sunday mornings over the past year, said the experience has strengthened his connection to the local community
"Volunteering here has allowed me to connect with the local culture and the wonderful people of Okinawa,” said Cardona. “Operation: Golden Gate 2 is a team effort, and I'm just happy to be a part of it."
While the recognition centered on two individuals, leaders emphasized that the initiative represents a broader culture of service across Kadena Air Base. From organized shoreline cleanups to cultural exchange events and local festivals, Airmen regularly partner with Okinawan neighbors to preserve the island’s natural beauty and strengthen mutual understanding.
As the largest USAF installation in the Indo-Pacific, Kadena’s mission extends beyond airpower and readiness. Building trust with the local community is equally essential to long-term stability and the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Community engagement initiatives like Operation: Golden Gate 2 demonstrate that commitment through visible, sustained action.
Through consistent, hands-on involvement, Airmen at Kadena continue to show that being good neighbors is not a one-day event, but an ongoing commitment — one bag of trash, one conversation and one shared Sunday morning at a time.
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 03.18.2026 04:01 |
| Story ID: | 560738 |
| Location: | KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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