Pirates' Skenes Visits Troops in Japan for USO Tour

{ "articleTitle": "Pirates' Skenes Visits Troops in Japan for USO Tour", "articleDescription": "Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and his girlfriend Olivia Dunne visited three military bases in Japan as part of a USO tour, meeting sailors and reflecting on his time at the Air Force Academy.", "articleBody": "

Skenes and Dunne Visit Three Bases

\n

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes visited three military installations in Japan during a three-day USO tour that began Wednesday and concluded Friday. Skenes was joined by his girlfriend, former LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, for the trip.

\n

The tour included stops at Misawa Air Base, Yokosuka Naval Base, and Yokota Air Base. At Yokosuka Naval Base on Oct. 22, 2026, Skenes met with Capt. Neil Gabriel, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 15.

\n

During the visit to Yokosuka, the pair ate at the base galley and met baseball players from Nile C. Kinnick High School. They also watched demonstrations conducted by a military working dog team and an explosive ordnance disposal unit.

\n\n

Reflections on Military Service

\n

Skenes reflected on his two years at the Air Force Academy during the tour. He told Stars and Stripes that the experience was \"special\" and added, \"I wish I could’ve stayed there for four years and be doing what I’m doing now.\"

\n

He credited his time at the academy with instilling discipline, integrity, and a sense of service. Skenes noted the environment at the academy, stating, \"You’re around 4,000 of the nation’s best and brightest people that our country has to offer. You are constantly getting better each and each day.\"

\n

Skenes emphasized his personal connection to the military beyond his own service. He noted that two uncles attended the U.S. Naval Academy, another served in the Coast Guard, and several cousins are service members.

\n

Describing the purpose of the visit, Skenes said, \"I have benefited so much from the military. I have gotten so much more from the Air Force than I have given to the Air Force... This is my way of giving back.\"

\n\n

USO Relationship and Career Milestones

\n

Courtney Billington, the USO’s interim CEO, commented on the organization's growing relationship with Skenes. \"We get to know Paul better, and he gets to know us,\" Billington said.

\n

The USO reported that Skenes and Dunne made their first USO tour together last year. That previous trip involved visiting the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and destroyer USS Mahan, where they met more than 1,300 sailors at sea.

\n

Skenes has established a prominent career since leaving the Air Force Academy. He was the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft and was named National League Rookie of the Year in 2024.

\n