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3 stories · Edition of 2026-10-19 · Curated by AI at Invalid Date

WAR

Marines rescue two hikers on Mount Fuji, one fatality reported

3d ago · Source: stripes

Four Marines stationed in Okinawa assisted two hikers in distress on Mount Fuji during separate incidents in early September, resulting in one death and multiple commendations.

On September 5, Corporals Jeremiah Barksdale and Ryan Sotodavila of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing encountered a woman from Hong Kong crawling on the Yoshida Trail with an injured foot. Her younger brother was unable to continue assisting her, the Marines said. Temperatures hovered in the 30s Fahrenheit under misty conditions. The Marines alternated carrying the woman and her backpack for approximately one hour before exhaustion forced a stop. They contacted Yamanashi Prefecture Police, and emergency responders arrived about an hour later. Police confirmed a rescue took place but did not release further details.

The following day, First Lieutenants Isaac Lopez and Ethan Wilson of Combat Logistics Regiment 37 were descending the Gotemba Trail near 11,800 feet when they observed a 62-year-old Japanese man stumble. Rain had fallen and temperatures were just above freezing, Lopez reported. They carried the man for about 30 minutes before Lopez sought help at an aid station, contacted Shizuoka Prefectural Police, and returned. Language barriers complicated communication, according to Wilson. By 5 p.m., the man displayed signs of hypothermia and declined assistance. The Marines left him and proceeded to an aid station, where another Marine translated a phone call to Okinawa-based authorities. Police later confirmed the man was found dead near the eighth station around 10 p.m., as reported by Shizuoka Broadcasting System the following day. Shizuoka police declined to provide additional information.

Lopez stated his actions aligned with Marine Corps training principles, emphasizing the responsibility to assist when physically capable. On October 9, Barksdale, Sotodavila, and Lopez received Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medals at Camp Foster. Wilson is scheduled to receive his medal at a later date, according to 3rd Marine Logistics Group spokesperson 1st Lt. Taiyo Tatara. Stars and Stripes reporter Keishi Koja contributed to this report.

WAR

U.S. Air Force cautions service members over toxic mushrooms on Yokota Base

3d ago · Source: stripes · 1 min read

A U.S. Air Force official has issued a warning against harvesting or consuming wild mushrooms growing on Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. The advisory follows broader Japanese government alerts about poisonous fungi that have led to hundreds of illnesses and several deaths in recent years. During an Oct. 7 town hall, George Matusak, the base’s deputy civil engineer, urged residents not to pick mushrooms after the issue was raised. Hundreds of large brown mushrooms were observed near a barbecue area on the installation over the weekend. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare notes that some toxic species closely resemble edible varieties used in Japanese cuisine. Government data show more than 540 people were poisoned by toxic mushrooms between 2016 and 2025, including five fatalities. The ministry’s website lists tsukiyotake, or moonlight mushroom, as one dangerous species that can be mistaken for shiitake or oyster mushrooms and may cause vomiting and diarrhea within 30 minutes to an hour. Another, kusaurabenitake, or wood pinkgill, can be confused with edible hon-shimeji and hatakeshimeji mushrooms. Additional species highlighted include tengutake, known as panther cap, and dokutsurutake, known as destroying angel, both capable of causing fatal poisoning. Authorities advise anyone who feels unwell after eating mushrooms to seek medical attention promptly.

WAR

China reports progress on two unmanned underwater vessel motherships

3d ago · Source: twz

A vessel observed at Guangzhou Shipyard International in October 2024 appears to be a smaller counterpart to a previously documented UUV mothership under construction at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. The newer ship, photographed in Guangzhou, shares key design elements with its larger predecessor, including a stern garage door, well deck, and lift towers, though it is approximately one-third smaller and features six lift towers rather than the larger vessel’s configuration. Both ships are designed to deploy and recover unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), with the capability to launch multiple units simultaneously via stern mechanisms and lift systems. Recent imagery confirms the Guangzhou vessel was built at the facility, which specializes in experimental naval platforms. The development aligns with broader Chinese efforts to expand UUV-related infrastructure, including support ships intended for long-range deployment and sustained underwater operations. Such capabilities could enable extended missions in the Pacific and beyond, potentially supporting tasks like seabed mapping, mine detection, or intelligence gathering. While current deployments remain experimental, the emergence of multiple motherships signals growing investment in unmanned maritime systems as part of China’s naval strategy. A recent military parade in Beijing displayed UUVs aboard transport vessels, highlighting the integration of unmanned systems into naval demonstrations. Analysts note that the ability to operate large UUVs from dedicated tenders remains limited among global navies, including the U.S., underscoring the strategic significance of China’s progress in this domain.