News Stories

U.S. Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 4 Detachment Bravo, Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team (MMT), run to the next 500-foot marker of an expeditionary runway during aircraft landing zone training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 21, 2016. The training allows the Marines to gain experience, practice constructing an expeditionary airfield, and complete training and readiness requirements. An MMT team comprises of a base, pace, chase, reference, navigation aid and communication technician who establish a runway in remote locations during combat scenarios, medical evacuations or for humanitarian aid. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 4 Detachment Bravo, Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team (MMT), run to the next 500-foot marker of an expeditionary runway during aircraft landing zone training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 21, 2016. The training allows the Marines to gain experience, practice constructing an expeditionary airfield, and complete training and readiness requirements. An MMT team comprises of a base, pace, chase, reference, navigation aid and communication technician who establish a runway in remote locations during combat scenarios, medical evacuations or for humanitarian aid. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Event participants gather around a static display during the 40th Friendship Day Air Show at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2016. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has conducted a single-day air show and open house specifically designed to foster positive relationships between the air station and its Japanese hosts, and the event traditionally draws more than 200,000 visitors and participants. This year is the 40th Friendship Day, offering a culturally-enriching experience that displays the mutual support between the U.S. and Japan. This annual event showcases a variety of static displays, aviation performances and demonstrations, and offers food and entertainment for guests of the largest single-day event in Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Ricardo Morales) - Event participants gather around a static display during the 40th Friendship Day Air Show at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2016. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has conducted a single-day air show and open house specifically designed to foster positive relationships between the air station and its Japanese hosts, and the event traditionally draws more than 200,000 visitors and participants. This year is the 40th Friendship Day, offering a culturally-enriching experience that displays the mutual support between the U.S. and Japan. This annual event showcases a variety of static displays, aviation performances and demonstrations, and offers food and entertainment for guests of the largest single-day event in Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Ricardo Morales)

Hitomi Yamaguchi, a logistics-contractor specialist, reads a thank-you note she wrote to her guests during her retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 16, 2016. Yamaguchi started working at the air station in 1974 and held four jobs during her 42 years of as a stock control clerk, a voucher examiner, and an administrator specialist. However, she spent most of her time as a logistics-contractor specialist. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - Hitomi Yamaguchi, a logistics-contractor specialist, reads a thank-you note she wrote to her guests during her retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 16, 2016. Yamaguchi started working at the air station in 1974 and held four jobs during her 42 years of as a stock control clerk, a voucher examiner, and an administrator specialist. However, she spent most of her time as a logistics-contractor specialist. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeffery Deal, aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist, passes a candy cane to May Yamane, a child with the local orphanage, during the ARFF Tsuta Orphanage Christmas party at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 10, 2016. ARFF holds the celebration annually to help spread holiday cheer to the orphans and to bring service members, their families and Japanese together. Marines volunteered their time and provided the children with a homemade, American meal. After dinner, a special guest came to greet the children. Santa Claus sat in a red sleigh passing out presents and candy canes to the kids. Marines were given the name, age and gender of a child from the orphanage, so they knew what kind of gift to buy for them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeffery Deal, aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist, passes a candy cane to May Yamane, a child with the local orphanage, during the ARFF Tsuta Orphanage Christmas party at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 10, 2016. ARFF holds the celebration annually to help spread holiday cheer to the orphans and to bring service members, their families and Japanese together. Marines volunteered their time and provided the children with a homemade, American meal. After dinner, a special guest came to greet the children. Santa Claus sat in a red sleigh passing out presents and candy canes to the kids. Marines were given the name, age and gender of a child from the orphanage, so they knew what kind of gift to buy for them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

The Matthew C. Perry symphonic band plays “The Night Before Christmas” during the annual holiday celebration concert at the Sakura Assembly Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. The concert showcased various musical groups from M.C. Perry and brought base residents, students and staff from Suo-Oshima Municipal Elementary School, Waki Junior High School and Otake Municipal Ogata Junior High School together. Guests enjoyed performances by the symphonic band, Samurai choir, concert band, M.C. Perry Voices, the Pentatonix, and the symphonic band, which featured songs such as “Angels We Have Heard on High,” Elijah Rock,” “Up on the Housetop,” and “Santa Clause is Coming To Town.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - The Matthew C. Perry symphonic band plays “The Night Before Christmas” during the annual holiday celebration concert at the Sakura Assembly Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. The concert showcased various musical groups from M.C. Perry and brought base residents, students and staff from Suo-Oshima Municipal Elementary School, Waki Junior High School and Otake Municipal Ogata Junior High School together. Guests enjoyed performances by the symphonic band, Samurai choir, concert band, M.C. Perry Voices, the Pentatonix, and the symphonic band, which featured songs such as “Angels We Have Heard on High,” Elijah Rock,” “Up on the Housetop,” and “Santa Clause is Coming To Town.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 conduct routine inspections and maintenance on the AV-8B Harriers during the Aviation Training Relocation Program at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. VMA-542 is conducting training with their harriers at Chitose Air Base in an effort to increase operational readiness between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Air Self Defense Force, improve interoperability and reduce noise concerns of aviation training on local communities by disseminating training locations throughout Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James A. Guillory) - U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 conduct routine inspections and maintenance on the AV-8B Harriers during the Aviation Training Relocation Program at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. VMA-542 is conducting training with their harriers at Chitose Air Base in an effort to increase operational readiness between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Air Self Defense Force, improve interoperability and reduce noise concerns of aviation training on local communities by disseminating training locations throughout Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James A. Guillory)

U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 sit on display after arrival to Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 5, 2016. The arrival of the Harriers paved the way for the commencement of the Aviation Training Relocation Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 sit on display after arrival to Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 5, 2016. The arrival of the Harriers paved the way for the commencement of the Aviation Training Relocation Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

The hazardous material, or hazmat, team with the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic place a simulated patient on the ground during decontamination training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 1, 2016 Ambulatory care patients are able to walk through the tent with instruction from the hazmat team. Unconscious patients require help from the team to wash off all contaminants. (U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - The hazardous material, or hazmat, team with the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic place a simulated patient on the ground during decontamination training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 1, 2016 Ambulatory care patients are able to walk through the tent with instruction from the hazmat team. Unconscious patients require help from the team to wash off all contaminants. (U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA) 542, exit a U.S. Air Force C-130J upon their arrival at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 2, 2016. VMA-542 journeyed to Chitose to partake in the Aviation Relocation Training program in an effort to increase operational readiness between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Air Self Defense Force, improve interoperability and reduce noise concerns of aviation training on local communities by disseminating training locations throughout Japan. - U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA) 542, exit a U.S. Air Force C-130J upon their arrival at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 2, 2016. VMA-542 journeyed to Chitose to partake in the Aviation Relocation Training program in an effort to increase operational readiness between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Air Self Defense Force, improve interoperability and reduce noise concerns of aviation training on local communities by disseminating training locations throughout Japan.

Yamaguchi Yuki, a videographer for Hakuhodo Inc., films Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force broadcasters at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 29, 2016. The broadcasters stood on a platform that wraps around the Type Zero Carrier Fighter. This helped set the scene for the video. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - Yamaguchi Yuki, a videographer for Hakuhodo Inc., films Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force broadcasters at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 29, 2016. The broadcasters stood on a platform that wraps around the Type Zero Carrier Fighter. This helped set the scene for the video. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)