Alex Wilson

Alex Wilson covers the U.S. Navy and other services from Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. Originally from Knoxville, Tenn., he holds a journalism degree from the University of North Florida. He previously covered crime and the military in Key West, Fla., and business in Jacksonville, Fla.

@AlexMNWilson

wilson.alex@stripes.com

Chinese aircraft carrier enters Japan’s easternmost EEZ for first time

A Chinese aircraft carrier entered Japan’s easternmost exclusive economic zone for the first time over the weekend, a move likely to raise tensions in a region already on edge amid growing maritime competition.

Sailors holding a line walk across the deck of a ship.

USS Tripoli heads to Japan to lead amphibious ready group in the Pacific

A military officer in flight suit stands on a blue painted floor at the front of an auditorium and speaks to a large seated audience of uniformed service members.

Joint Region Marianas welcomes new commander as $7 billion in military projects advance

Interior view of a room showing an exposed ceiling with peeling paint, electrical conduit and multiple blue wires running along the walls with frayed ends next to a small white electrical box.

Mold, corrosion at Guam barracks spark worldwide Navy housing inspections

A U.S. Navy sailor told a Japanese court on May 7, 2025, that he made an illegal turn near Yokosuka Naval Base on Sept. 18, 2024, causing a fatal collision.

Sailor avoids prison in Japan for deadly collision with motorcyclist

A U.S. Navy sailor received a suspended sentence for a traffic accident that killed a Japanese motorcyclist near Yokosuka Naval Base.

A military fighter jet lands on a runway with clouds and the horizon in the background.

F-35C jets join carrier-landing drills as USS George Washington preps for patrol

U.S. Navy pilots are preparing for the USS George Washington’s inaugural patrol from its new homeport in Japan, conducting carrier-landing drills that, for the first time, include F-35C Lightning IIs on historic Iwo Jima.

A uniformed officer stands at attention and salutes in front of four flags, including the U.S. flag and the Guam territorial flag. Three other military officers, also in uniform, are seated on a stage with leather chairs, smiling and observing the proceedings.

Palenske signs off: 36th Wing commander on Guam ends 39-year Air Force career

Brig. Gen. Thomas Palenske, who guided the 36th Wing through one of Guam’s most destructive storms in decades, stepped down Thursday, marking the end of a 39-year military career defined by an unorthodox public style.

Lance Cpl. Juan De La Cerda moves into his new barracks room at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Guam, May, 16, 2025.

Navy secretary directs new Marine barracks on Guam to open ahead of schedule

The first group of U.S. Marines and sailors moved into newly constructed barracks on Guam.

The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge arrives in Wellington, New Zealand, May 16, 2025.

Navy’s oldest operational warship makes historic stop in New Zealand

The USS Blue Ridge arrived in Wellington Harbor, marking a historic first visit to New Zealand for the U.S. Navy’s oldest operational warship, the service said.

F/A-18s from Carrier Air Wing 5 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, take part in field carrier-landing practice at Iwo Jima, Japan, May 17, 2019.

Carrier pilots begin landing drills on Iwo Jima ahead of USS George Washington patrol

Naval aviators kicked off 13 days of carrier-landing practice on Iwo Jima as the aircraft carrier USS George Washington prepares for its first deployment since returning to Japan in November.

The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Myrtle Hazard operate near Guam on Feb. 12, 2025.

Coast Guard rescues missing mariners after 3-day search near Guam

Mariners lit an emergency beacon that helped the US Coast Guard find them about 140 miles west of Guam.

Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky greets a Navy corpsman in Limon, Costa Rica, July 22, 2024, Lasky took command of Joint Task Force-Micronesia on May 15, 2025.

Navy SEAL takes command of year-old Joint Task Force-Micronesia

Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky relieved Rear Adm. Greg Huffman during a change-of-command ceremony in the fitness center at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz.

A military officer in camouflage uniform and dark-rimmed glasses gestures with his left hand while seated at a conference table.

Air Force general on Guam touts US readiness, warns adversaries against ‘miscalculation’

The Air Force on Guam has never been more ready for a fight — a quality that will prevent one from happening in the first place, according to outgoing 36th Wing commander Brig. Gen. Thomas Palenske, who added that a conflict in the Western Pacific is highly unlikely thanks to Air Force deterrence in the region.

The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Myrtle Hazard patrols the Philippine Sea near Guam, March 25, 2025.

Coast Guard expands search for missing vessel near Northern Mariana Islands

The search for two missing mariners near the Northern Mariana Islands entered its second day Wednesday, with efforts focused west of Saipan, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

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