News Stories

An F/A-18D Hornet assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 242 taxis down the flight line during Exercise Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 18, 2016. Powerliners, airframes mechanics, communication navigation, and ordnance technicians, work around the clock to ensure flight schedules are met for aviation operations during the exercise. During this U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise, F/A-18D Hornets flew in a plethora of missions that emphasize joint integration, interoperability and expeditionary readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada) - An F/A-18D Hornet assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 242 taxis down the flight line during Exercise Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 18, 2016. Powerliners, airframes mechanics, communication navigation, and ordnance technicians, work around the clock to ensure flight schedules are met for aviation operations during the exercise. During this U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise, F/A-18D Hornets flew in a plethora of missions that emphasize joint integration, interoperability and expeditionary readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada)

Japanese locals make their way toward the Kumano Brush festival in Kumano, Japan, Sept. 22, 2016. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents traveled to Kumano with the Cultural Adaptation Program to experience calligraphy, tradition, history and entertainment the festival offered. After attending the festival the residents visited the Fudenosato Kobo Museum where they learned how calligraphy equipment is made. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - Japanese locals make their way toward the Kumano Brush festival in Kumano, Japan, Sept. 22, 2016. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents traveled to Kumano with the Cultural Adaptation Program to experience calligraphy, tradition, history and entertainment the festival offered. After attending the festival the residents visited the Fudenosato Kobo Museum where they learned how calligraphy equipment is made. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Children wait for shaved ice during the Boys and Girls Club Day for Kids Celebration 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 17, 2016. All kids, 17 years of age and younger, were invited out for entertainment, food and beverages with the local community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - Children wait for shaved ice during the Boys and Girls Club Day for Kids Celebration 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 17, 2016. All kids, 17 years of age and younger, were invited out for entertainment, food and beverages with the local community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Airframes mechanics assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 242 remove a hydraulic pump from an F/A-18D Hornet after a flight mission during Exercise Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 18, 2016. Powerliners, airframes mechanics, communication navigation, and ordnance technicians, work around the clock to ensure flight schedules are met for aviation operations during the exercise. During this U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise, F/A-18D Hornets flew in a plethora of missions that emphasize joint integration, interoperability and expeditionary readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada) - Airframes mechanics assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 242 remove a hydraulic pump from an F/A-18D Hornet after a flight mission during Exercise Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 18, 2016. Powerliners, airframes mechanics, communication navigation, and ordnance technicians, work around the clock to ensure flight schedules are met for aviation operations during the exercise. During this U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise, F/A-18D Hornets flew in a plethora of missions that emphasize joint integration, interoperability and expeditionary readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada)

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Lamonica Harrison, chief hospital corpsman with MCAS Iwakuni’s base health clinic, salutes her peers as she walks down the red carpet during a promotion ceremony in the Marine Memorial Chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 16, 2016. Harrison said being in front of her peers and receiving the honor of chief petty officer filled her with pride and joy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Lamonica Harrison, chief hospital corpsman with MCAS Iwakuni’s base health clinic, salutes her peers as she walks down the red carpet during a promotion ceremony in the Marine Memorial Chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 16, 2016. Harrison said being in front of her peers and receiving the honor of chief petty officer filled her with pride and joy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

The Green Cove approaches the harbor at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 16, 2016. The Green Cove, a vehicle carrier, transported six aircraft approximately 6,000 miles from Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif. Three UH-1Y Venoms, two MV-22C Ospreys and one CH-53E Super Stallion, and are scheduled to fly to their destination in Okinawa after concluding preparations at MCAS Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - The Green Cove approaches the harbor at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 16, 2016. The Green Cove, a vehicle carrier, transported six aircraft approximately 6,000 miles from Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif. Three UH-1Y Venoms, two MV-22C Ospreys and one CH-53E Super Stallion, and are scheduled to fly to their destination in Okinawa after concluding preparations at MCAS Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Aviation Ordnance Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron12 prepare ordnance for aviation squadrons participating in Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, September 12, 2016. The ordnance constructed, provided the Marines of MALS-12 valuable experience assembling live ordnance to be used during VS16 for a ship sinking exercise. VS16 is a biennial U.S. only, field training exercise that focuses on joint training with U.S. Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to increase interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin A. Fisher) - U.S. Aviation Ordnance Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron12 prepare ordnance for aviation squadrons participating in Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, September 12, 2016. The ordnance constructed, provided the Marines of MALS-12 valuable experience assembling live ordnance to be used during VS16 for a ship sinking exercise. VS16 is a biennial U.S. only, field training exercise that focuses on joint training with U.S. Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to increase interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin A. Fisher)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Johnathan M. Cobb, left, patrol supervisor for the Provost Marshal’s Office at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Major Christopher J. Garza, station sergeant major, pose for a photo at the USO Japan Ninth Annual Service Salute Gala in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 27, 2016. Cobb exceeded all criteria and represented MCAS Iwakuni at the Service Salute Gala as the air station’s Marine of the year. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Johnathan M. Cobb, left, patrol supervisor for the Provost Marshal’s Office at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Major Christopher J. Garza, station sergeant major, pose for a photo at the USO Japan Ninth Annual Service Salute Gala in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 27, 2016. Cobb exceeded all criteria and represented MCAS Iwakuni at the Service Salute Gala as the air station’s Marine of the year. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo)

U.S. Marines, sailors and civilians joined together for a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 9, 2016. The stair climb honored the fallen firefighters who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Centers on Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marines, sailors and civilians joined together for a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 9, 2016. The stair climb honored the fallen firefighters who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Centers on Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Naoko Kishi, left, and Yoshiharu Kishi, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force amateur social dancers, perform a Waltz during the Iwakuni Expo at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 10, 2016. The Kishi Dancers also performed Latin dances and the Cha-Cha and Rumba during their performance. The expo provided residents a glimpse of the services that are available to them on and off the air station such as tourist destinations, shopping malls and local hotels. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - Naoko Kishi, left, and Yoshiharu Kishi, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force amateur social dancers, perform a Waltz during the Iwakuni Expo at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 10, 2016. The Kishi Dancers also performed Latin dances and the Cha-Cha and Rumba during their performance. The expo provided residents a glimpse of the services that are available to them on and off the air station such as tourist destinations, shopping malls and local hotels. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)