News Stories

Kevin Barr, a contestant at the 55th Annual Japanese and English Speech Contest, delivers his speech in Japanese at Iwakuni Sinfonia in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 13, 2016. Barr won 3rd place in the advanced Japanese division with his speech “Heiwa na sekai”. Japanese students delivered speeches in English and Americans in Japanese, while being critiqued on voice control, fluency and overall performance. The speech contest broke through language barriers and cultural differences, creating a stronger relationship between Japanese and Americans. (U.S, Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - Kevin Barr, a contestant at the 55th Annual Japanese and English Speech Contest, delivers his speech in Japanese at Iwakuni Sinfonia in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 13, 2016. Barr won 3rd place in the advanced Japanese division with his speech “Heiwa na sekai”. Japanese students delivered speeches in English and Americans in Japanese, while being critiqued on voice control, fluency and overall performance. The speech contest broke through language barriers and cultural differences, creating a stronger relationship between Japanese and Americans. (U.S, Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni pose for a picture at the 27th annual Kuragake Festival and Samurai Parade in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 20, 2016. The Marines were transformed from service members to samurai warroirs with traditional samurai armor, swords, spears and helmets before marching down the streets of Kuga demonstrating their strength and courage before going to battle. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nicole Zurbrugg) - U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni pose for a picture at the 27th annual Kuragake Festival and Samurai Parade in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 20, 2016. The Marines were transformed from service members to samurai warroirs with traditional samurai armor, swords, spears and helmets before marching down the streets of Kuga demonstrating their strength and courage before going to battle. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nicole Zurbrugg)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Jorge Lares, left, Ashley Garcia, middle, and Austin Berube, right, combat engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, attempt to fix a generator during unit level training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 17, 2016. The focused on base recovery exercises to better prepare the Marines for scenarios that could arise while on station or during deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Jorge Lares, left, Ashley Garcia, middle, and Austin Berube, right, combat engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, attempt to fix a generator during unit level training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 17, 2016. The focused on base recovery exercises to better prepare the Marines for scenarios that could arise while on station or during deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

U.S. Marines and U.S. Airmen work together during a simulated contamination control area in preparation of Vigilant Ace 17-1 at Osan Air Base, Korea, Nov. 17, 2016. Vigilant Ace is a biannual, bilateral training event that exercises U.S. military and Republic of Korea Air Force interoperability through simulated wartime tasking. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Farbo) - U.S. Marines and U.S. Airmen work together during a simulated contamination control area in preparation of Vigilant Ace 17-1 at Osan Air Base, Korea, Nov. 17, 2016. Vigilant Ace is a biannual, bilateral training event that exercises U.S. military and Republic of Korea Air Force interoperability through simulated wartime tasking. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Farbo)

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet takes off from Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia during exercise Cope West 17, Nov. 8, 2016. The combined training offered by this exercise helps prepare the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesia Air Force to work together in promoting a peaceful Indo-Asia-Pacific region while practicing close air support and air-to-air training that will enhance their to respond to contingencies throughout the region. Both the U.S. F/A-18D Hornets and Indonesian F-16 Fighting Falcons bring unique capabilities affording the associated nations the opportunity to learn and understand each other’s skills, preparing them for real world contingencies and further strengthening their relationship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet takes off from Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia during exercise Cope West 17, Nov. 8, 2016. The combined training offered by this exercise helps prepare the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesia Air Force to work together in promoting a peaceful Indo-Asia-Pacific region while practicing close air support and air-to-air training that will enhance their to respond to contingencies throughout the region. Both the U.S. F/A-18D Hornets and Indonesian F-16 Fighting Falcons bring unique capabilities affording the associated nations the opportunity to learn and understand each other’s skills, preparing them for real world contingencies and further strengthening their relationship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Nightwine, quality assurance chief, and Cpl. Jonathan Castillo, an airframe mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 225, demonstrate Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques during a visit at Sekolah Menengah Eben Haezar Manado High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 9, 2016. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered service members the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. The Marines and Sailors then played basketball against the school basketball teams, losing 50-22 after playing three games. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Nightwine, quality assurance chief, and Cpl. Jonathan Castillo, an airframe mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 225, demonstrate Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques during a visit at Sekolah Menengah Eben Haezar Manado High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 9, 2016. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered service members the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. The Marines and Sailors then played basketball against the school basketball teams, losing 50-22 after playing three games. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self Defense Force members executed exercise Active Shield at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 11, 2016. Active Shield is an annual exercise designed to test the abilities of U.S. and Japanese forces to work alongside each other to protect and defend Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and other U.S. assets in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self Defense Force members executed exercise Active Shield at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 11, 2016. Active Shield is an annual exercise designed to test the abilities of U.S. and Japanese forces to work alongside each other to protect and defend Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and other U.S. assets in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Delwin K. Ellington, sergeant major of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, presents a signed basketball to Deysie Lumowa, the head mistress at Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri 1 High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 4, 2016. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered service members the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. At the end of the event, Marines and Sailors exchanged gifts with Lumowa, showing each other’s appreciation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Delwin K. Ellington, sergeant major of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, presents a signed basketball to Deysie Lumowa, the head mistress at Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri 1 High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 4, 2016. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered service members the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. At the end of the event, Marines and Sailors exchanged gifts with Lumowa, showing each other’s appreciation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Stephen N. McClune, bottom, commanding officer, and Maj. Jon Von Seggern, operations officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, exit their F/A-18D Hornet upon arrival to Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia, in preparation of exercise Cope West 17, Oct. 27, 2016. This fighter-focused, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force is designed to enhance the readiness of combined interoperability between the two nations. Cope West 17 is the first fighter-focused exercise in 19 years involving the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Stephen N. McClune, bottom, commanding officer, and Maj. Jon Von Seggern, operations officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, exit their F/A-18D Hornet upon arrival to Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia, in preparation of exercise Cope West 17, Oct. 27, 2016. This fighter-focused, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force is designed to enhance the readiness of combined interoperability between the two nations. Cope West 17 is the first fighter-focused exercise in 19 years involving the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)