Here is the latest episode of the "Zama Pulse," the show with news highlights, community updates and features on Japanese culture! This month's news headlines include: - Camp Zama Cherry Blossom Festival - IMCOM-Pacific Large Fire Department of the Year - Hands Dirty, Hearts Full - Honoring a Legend: Exhibition Hockey Match - Month of the Military Child Proclamation Signing Ceremony - Teen Interns With DPTMS - Active Shooter Training on Okinawa - Easter Egg Hunt in Kyotango City - My Army Post App - ZMHS News Stories ***Keep an eye out for new episodes in the future. We hope you enjoy the show!

Multinational Soldiers from across the Indo-Pacific region conduct a stress shoot event during the Pacific Land Forces Team Readiness Challenge at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, May 04, 2026. The event combines physical exertion with marksmanship tasks, requiring participants to engage targets accurately while fatigued, testing their composure, weapons handling, and decision-making under pressure. (U.S. Army video by Pfc. Jose Nunez)

Multinational Soldiers from across the Indo-Pacific region conduct a stress shoot event during the Pacific Land Forces Team Readiness Challenge at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, May 04, 2026. The event combines physical exertion with marksmanship tasks, requiring participants to engage targets accurately while fatigued, testing their composure, weapons handling, and decision-making under pressure. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Qishaunia Hawkins)

A barge travels along the Ohio River in front of Waterfront Park, May 4, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky, More than 50 million tons of cargo transits through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers McAlpine Locks and Dams annually.

Soldiers perform a physical assessment during the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) Best Squad Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 4, 2026. Competitors completed a modified Army Fitness Test (AFT) consisting of the three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, pull-up and five-mile run with kit, demonstrating the speed, adaptability and enduring readiness of a modern day warfighter. (U.S. Army video by Spc. Nina Cortez)

U.S. Army Soldiers participate in a land navigation assessment during the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) Best Squad Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana on May 4, 2026. The annual competition brings together the best Soldiers and squads from across the Army to earn the titles of “Best Warrior” and “Best Squad”. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Cory Long)

U.S. Army Soldiers participate in a land navigation course during the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) Best Squad Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 4, 2026. The T2COM Best Squad Competition allows Soldiers to prove they are highly skilled professionals and masters at their craft. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jesse Gonzales)

U.S. and Philippine Army Soldiers, trainees of jungle operations training course, conduct patrol lanes during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, May 3, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Elijah Magaña)

Soldiers perform a physical assessment during the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) Best Squad Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 4, 2026. Competitors completed a modified Army Fitness Test (AFT) consisting of the three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, pull-up and five-mile run with kit, demonstrating the speed, adaptability and enduring readiness of a modern day warfighter. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Aaron Troutman)

U.S. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee greets Tennessee National Guard leadership in Nashville, Tennessee, May 4, 2026. Lee visited the 118th Wing at Berry Field Air National Guard Base to receive comprehensive briefings about the joint-force missions performed by the three state Air National Guard units within the state and the global impact of each mission. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Senior Airmen Matthew Gunn.)

On May 4, at the direction of the commander of U.S. Southern Command Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed.

U.S. Army Soldiers execute the initial physical assessment during the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) Best Squad Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 4, 2026. The initial physical assessment for the T2COM Best Squad Competition consists of a modified Army Fitness Test (AFT), including the three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, pull-up and five-mile run with kit, demonstrating the speed, adaptability and enduring readiness of a modern day warfighter. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Cory Long)

Multinational soldiers compete in an urban land navigation challenge during the Pacific Land Forces Team Readiness Challenge at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, May 3, 2026. The event promotes interoperability, strengthens partnerships, and enhances collective readiness among participating nations through shared training and competition. (U.S. Army video by Pfc. Jose Nunez)

B-Roll of 161st Air Refueling Wing personnel conduct water survival training.

U.S. Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division/Multi-Domain Command-Pacific fire an M28A1 Reduced Range Practice Rocket from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System after rolling off a runnymede-class large landing craft during maritime key terrain security operations as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026, at Balabac Island, Palawan,, May 2, 2026. HIMARS in Balabac can be used to protect shipping going into the Sulu and Celebes Sea. The HIMARS was moved into position via Army Water Craft, the HIMARS shot, and then exfilled via Army Watercraft. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Vadim Bolfun)

Soldiers receive a packing list inspection during the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) Best Squad Competition, Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 3, 2026. Squads competing in the T2COM Best Squad Competition are cohesive, physically fit and showcase what it means to be a warfighter. (U.S. Army video by Spc. Nina Cortez)

The Great Texas Airshow was on May 2nd and 3rd at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, May 3, 2026. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Amanda Yastrzab)

Multinational soldiers compete in an urban land navigation challenge during the Pacific Land Forces Team Readiness Challenge at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, May 3, 2026. The event promotes interoperability, strengthens partnerships, and enhances collective readiness among participating nations through shared training and competition. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Noah Ray)

U.S. Army Soldiers take a written exam as part of the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) Best Squad Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 3, 2026. Squads competing in the T2COM Best Squad Competition are cohesive, physically fit, and showcase what it means to be a warfighter. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Cory Long)

U.S. Army Soldiers receive a packing list inspection as part of the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) Best Squad Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 3, 2026. Squads competing in the T2COM Best Squad Competition are cohesive, physically fit, and showcase what it means to be a warfighter. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Cory Long)

U.S. Army Soldiers receive a height and weight assessment as part of the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) Best Squad Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 3, 2026. Squads competing in the T2COM Best Squad Competition are cohesive, physically fit, and showcase what it means to be a warfighter. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Cory Long)

Team 3 comprised of U.S. Army Soldiers representing the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, receive a packing list inspection as part of the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) Best Squad Competition at Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 3, 2026. Squads competing in the T2COM Best Squad Competition are cohesive, physically fit, and showcase what it means to be a warfighter. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Jesse Gonzales)

Members of Team Fastrax glide through the air, marking the first aerial performance of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 3, 2026. JMSDF-MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day is hosted annually to strengthen relationships with the host community and offer a cultural exchange that highlights the mutual support between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Isabella R. Mancini)

Attendees view static displays from Liberty Walk and participate in a racing simulator from Veicolo during the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 3, 2026. Liberty Walk is a Japanese automotive company known for its wide-body kits and highly modified supercars. Veicolo is a Hiroshima-based car dealership showcasing performance-built vehicles that highlight Japan’s tuning and motorsport scene. JMSDF-MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day is hosted annually to strengthen relationships with the host community and offer a cultural exchange that highlights the mutual support between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Isabella R. Mancini)

Aircraft sat on display during The Great Texas Air Show at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, May 3, 2026. Static displays give community members the opportunity to see inside some of the Military Services’ assets and talk to the service members who use and maintain them. (U.S. Air Force Video by Airman 1st Class Kevin Prashad)

U.S. Soldiers with the District of Columbia National Guard, assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia, take the Combat Field Test (CFT) at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) in Washington D.C., May 3, 2026. About 2,500 National Guard members support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, assisting the Metropolitan Police Department in maintaining public safety for residents, commuters and visitors throughout the District. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jaylan Caulton)

Offloaded marijuana bales following an interdiction off Haiti's coast, May 3, 2026. A Coast Guard law enforcement detachment deployed on the USS Billings stopped a suspected drug smuggling vessel at the request of the Haitian government. (U.S. Coast Guard video)

U.S. Marines assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268, MRF – D, execute an airfield seizure as a part of Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Balabac Island, Philippines, May 3, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Staff Sgt. Bryant Rodriguez)

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni hosted Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, May 3, 2026. The JMSDF-MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day is hosted annually to strengthen relationships with the host community and offer a cultural exchange that highlights the mutual support between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Gage Collins)