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By ERICA EARL | STARS AND STRIPES Published: May 10, 2021 The former commander of Sasebo Naval Base savored a rare opportunity Saturday as he helped run the Nagasaki prefecture leg of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay in Sasebo, Japan. Capt. Brad Stallings, who now serves as the U.S. Naval Forces Japan chief of staff, was nominated to be a torch bearer by Sasebo City 1 ½ years ago, base spokesman Aki Nichols told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. The city wanted to recognize its relationship with the Navy. “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Stallings said in an interview with Japanese broadcasting company NHK.