Mashing Mochi

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Col. Shuichi Kamada, Operation Support Wing commander, gives opening remarks during a traditional Japanese event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2016. Base leadership, local civic leaders and members of the JASDF pounded rice before eating the mochi together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David C. Danford/Released)

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Mashing Mochi

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Col. Shuichi Kamada, Operation Support Wing commander, demonstrates the correct way to pound mochi during a traditional Japanese event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2016. Mochitsuki, or rice pounding, is a ceremony held in preparation for New Year celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David C. Danford/Released)

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Mashing Mochi

Base leadership attend a traditional Japanese event hosted by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2016. Mochitsuki, or rice pounding, is a ceremony held in preparation for New Year celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David C. Danford/Released)

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Mashing Mochi

Col. Kenneth Moss, 374th Airlift Wing commander, pounds mochi during a traditional Japanese event hosted by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2016. After the mochi is pounded, it is broken into smaller pieces and formed into different shapes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David C. Danford/Released)

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Mashing Mochi

(right) Col. Kenneth Moss, 374th Airlift Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Yevchak, 374 AW command chief, roll mochi during a traditional Japanese event hosted by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2016. Sweets, sugars or toasted soy bean powder are often added to mochi before eating. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David C. Danford/Released)

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Mashing Mochi

Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Yevchak, 374th Airlift Wing command chief, bumps fists in celebration with a member of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force after pounding mochi at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2016. Mochitsuki, or rice pounding, is a ceremony held in preparation for New Year celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David C. Danford/Released)

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Mashing Mochi

Col. Robert Dotson, 374th Operations Group commander, gathers mochi for tasting at a traditional Japanese event hosted by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2016. Sweets, sugars or toasted soy bean powder are often added to mochi before eating. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David C. Danford/Released)

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Mashing Mochi

Published Dec. 15, 2016
By Senior Airman David C. Danford
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Japan Air Self-Defense Force Col. Shuichi Kamada, Operation Support Wing commander, gives opening remarks during a traditional Japanese event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2016. Base leadership, local civic leaders and members of the JASDF pounded rice before eating the mochi together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David C. Danford/Released)