News Stories

Leslie Reyna, left, and Alani Rodriguez pose for a picture on the first day of the school year at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 31, 2015. Students assembled according to grade in M. C. Perry’s gymnasium to ring in the new school year. - Leslie Reyna, left, and Alani Rodriguez pose for a picture on the first day of the school year at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 31, 2015. Students assembled according to grade in M. C. Perry’s gymnasium to ring in the new school year.

Lance Cpl. Thomas Kurtz, a member of the station special reaction team, shows Amelia and Jackson Morgan, event participants, how to use an intercom at Child Safety Day Event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015. Safety personnel shared safety tips with children and demonstrated emergency procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Lance Cpl. Thomas Kurtz, a member of the station special reaction team, shows Amelia and Jackson Morgan, event participants, how to use an intercom at Child Safety Day Event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015. Safety personnel shared safety tips with children and demonstrated emergency procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Marine Attack Squadron 311, the “Tomcats,” arrived aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015, in support of the unit deployment program. The squadron’s presence at MCAS Iwakuni allows the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Aircraft Group 12 to have amphibious fixed-winged capabilities. - Marine Attack Squadron 311, the “Tomcats,” arrived aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015, in support of the unit deployment program. The squadron’s presence at MCAS Iwakuni allows the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Aircraft Group 12 to have amphibious fixed-winged capabilities.

Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron(VMGR) 152 refuel MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircrafts with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, during air delivery ground refueling training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 20, 2015. The KC-130J aircraft is capable of carrying more than 12,000 gallons of fuel and simultaneously refueling two aircraft at 300 gallons a minute. This ability, along with many others, makes VMGR-152 and their aircraft an important asset to Marine Corps’ aviation. - Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron(VMGR) 152 refuel MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircrafts with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, during air delivery ground refueling training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 20, 2015. The KC-130J aircraft is capable of carrying more than 12,000 gallons of fuel and simultaneously refueling two aircraft at 300 gallons a minute. This ability, along with many others, makes VMGR-152 and their aircraft an important asset to Marine Corps’ aviation.

Construction continues aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sep. 1, 2015. One of the purposes of these roadway modifications is to eliminate the need for vehicles to cross an aircraft taxiway and to support continued operations during the Defense Policy Review Initiative’s construction efforts, which affects approximately 77 percent of the installation. Station residents can expect permanent road development changes in the upcoming month. According to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, DPRI redefines roles, missions, and capabilities of alliance forces and outlines key realignment and transformation initiatives, enhancing interoperability and communication between the two countries' respective commands. - Construction continues aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sep. 1, 2015. One of the purposes of these roadway modifications is to eliminate the need for vehicles to cross an aircraft taxiway and to support continued operations during the Defense Policy Review Initiative’s construction efforts, which affects approximately 77 percent of the installation. Station residents can expect permanent road development changes in the upcoming month. According to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, DPRI redefines roles, missions, and capabilities of alliance forces and outlines key realignment and transformation initiatives, enhancing interoperability and communication between the two countries' respective commands.

Cameron Saunders sings along with the Sesame Street performance delivered by United Services Organization Experience for Military Families at the Sakura Theater aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 14, 2015. The program, “Katie is Moving to a New Base,” is designed to help children of military families transition during a permanent change of station. By singing songs like “What I am” and “Everything’s A Ok,” Katie’s Sesame Street friends help her through the difficult process by highlighting the positives of relocating to a new base. - Cameron Saunders sings along with the Sesame Street performance delivered by United Services Organization Experience for Military Families at the Sakura Theater aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 14, 2015. The program, “Katie is Moving to a New Base,” is designed to help children of military families transition during a permanent change of station. By singing songs like “What I am” and “Everything’s A Ok,” Katie’s Sesame Street friends help her through the difficult process by highlighting the positives of relocating to a new base.

An EA-6B Prowler with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 3, the “Moon Dogs,” arrives at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in support of the unit deployment program, Aug. 7, 2015. VMAQ-3 intends to conclude this UDP trained; ready and equipped with the experience to support the Marine Corps’ mission in the Pacific. - An EA-6B Prowler with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 3, the “Moon Dogs,” arrives at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in support of the unit deployment program, Aug. 7, 2015. VMAQ-3 intends to conclude this UDP trained; ready and equipped with the experience to support the Marine Corps’ mission in the Pacific.

Lance Cpl. Hannah Souder, left, and Pfc. Makayla Whitney teach students the English alphabet at Josho Hoikuen School in Iwakuni City, Japan, as part of a community relations event hosted by the Marine Memorial Chapel, Aug. 11, 2015. English is now a mandatory class in Japanese elementary schools. The service members help the students get a head start on learning the language. Souder is a weather forecaster with the weather services branch aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Whitney is a postal clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. - Lance Cpl. Hannah Souder, left, and Pfc. Makayla Whitney teach students the English alphabet at Josho Hoikuen School in Iwakuni City, Japan, as part of a community relations event hosted by the Marine Memorial Chapel, Aug. 11, 2015. English is now a mandatory class in Japanese elementary schools. The service members help the students get a head start on learning the language. Souder is a weather forecaster with the weather services branch aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Whitney is a postal clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.

Lt. Col. James Moseley, a Command and Staff Blended Seminar Program instructor, briefs officers of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Marine Aircraft Group 12 on the program at the Sakura Theater aboard station Aug. 5, 2015. BSP is part of the 36th Commandant’s Planning Guidance 2015 to expand resident professional military education. - Lt. Col. James Moseley, a Command and Staff Blended Seminar Program instructor, briefs officers of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Marine Aircraft Group 12 on the program at the Sakura Theater aboard station Aug. 5, 2015. BSP is part of the 36th Commandant’s Planning Guidance 2015 to expand resident professional military education.

Cpl. Trevon Bruce, a metal worker with Combat Logistics Company 36, shoots unknown distance targets at table 3 during Exercise Dragon Fire at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 20. CLC-36 conducts this annual exercise to improve upon tactical skill sets taught to service members in their initial training. Enhancing these skill sets aid in maintaining their combat readiness in accordance with the Marine Corps’ mission to win America’s battles. - Cpl. Trevon Bruce, a metal worker with Combat Logistics Company 36, shoots unknown distance targets at table 3 during Exercise Dragon Fire at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 20. CLC-36 conducts this annual exercise to improve upon tactical skill sets taught to service members in their initial training. Enhancing these skill sets aid in maintaining their combat readiness in accordance with the Marine Corps’ mission to win America’s battles.