News Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst gives a speech before the start of the 7th annual U.S.-Japan Friendship Concert at the Sinfonia Iwakuni Concert Hall in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 25, 2017. The concert is a way for the student performers to experience different cultures and communicate with each other through music despite the language barrier. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst gives a speech before the start of the 7th annual U.S.-Japan Friendship Concert at the Sinfonia Iwakuni Concert Hall in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 25, 2017. The concert is a way for the student performers to experience different cultures and communicate with each other through music despite the language barrier. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Melissa Heisterberg, lead coordinator of the Active-Duty Fund Drive in support of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, speaks to Marines and Sailors about the NMCRS during the drive’s kickoff at the Strike Zone Bowling Center at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 24, 2017. The NMCRS is a non-profit organization whose long-term mission is to help service members become financially self-sufficient by teaching them to manage their personal finances and prepare for unplanned expenditures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez) - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Melissa Heisterberg, lead coordinator of the Active-Duty Fund Drive in support of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, speaks to Marines and Sailors about the NMCRS during the drive’s kickoff at the Strike Zone Bowling Center at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 24, 2017. The NMCRS is a non-profit organization whose long-term mission is to help service members become financially self-sufficient by teaching them to manage their personal finances and prepare for unplanned expenditures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

The Yokota High School ladies basketball team poses for a photo after winning the 2017 Division 2 Girls’ Basketball Tournament at the Matthew C. Perry High School gym on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 23, 2017. M.C. Perry High School hosted 11 teams from the Far East Division for the tournament. The teams endured two days of physically demanding competition for the opportunity at a championship game in a double elimination style tournament. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - The Yokota High School ladies basketball team poses for a photo after winning the 2017 Division 2 Girls’ Basketball Tournament at the Matthew C. Perry High School gym on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 23, 2017. M.C. Perry High School hosted 11 teams from the Far East Division for the tournament. The teams endured two days of physically demanding competition for the opportunity at a championship game in a double elimination style tournament. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Michael Parrish, a warehouse clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 12, chooses from the Mongolian-themed salad bar during Mongolian Bar Wednesday in the R.G. Robinson Mess Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 8, 2017. Mongolian Bar Wednesday was started in an effort to attract more patrons to the mess halls by offering specialty meals such as the Mongolian Bowl. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Michael Parrish, a warehouse clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 12, chooses from the Mongolian-themed salad bar during Mongolian Bar Wednesday in the R.G. Robinson Mess Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 8, 2017. Mongolian Bar Wednesday was started in an effort to attract more patrons to the mess halls by offering specialty meals such as the Mongolian Bowl. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

U.S. Marine Corps pilots with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) – 225 board an F/A-18D prior to take off during exercise Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 9, 2017. The Marines loaded live air intercept missile – 120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AIM-120 AMRAAM) to F/A-18D Hornets to be fired at decoys down range. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Nathan Wicks) - U.S. Marine Corps pilots with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) – 225 board an F/A-18D prior to take off during exercise Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 9, 2017. The Marines loaded live air intercept missile – 120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AIM-120 AMRAAM) to F/A-18D Hornets to be fired at decoys down range. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Nathan Wicks)

U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Marcos Martinez, expeditionary fire rescue staff noncommissioned officer in charge with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, right, poses for a photo with his opponent during the Duamau Tournament, a jiu jitsu competition at the TK Training Center in Hiroshima, Japan, Feb. 5, 2017. Jiu jitsu is a sport that teaches competitors to respect their opponents and build on the differences. Martinez trains among other Marines at the IronWorks North gym on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Marcos Martinez, expeditionary fire rescue staff noncommissioned officer in charge with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, right, poses for a photo with his opponent during the Duamau Tournament, a jiu jitsu competition at the TK Training Center in Hiroshima, Japan, Feb. 5, 2017. Jiu jitsu is a sport that teaches competitors to respect their opponents and build on the differences. Martinez trains among other Marines at the IronWorks North gym on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

U.S. Navy Sailors with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 performed maintenance on E/A-18G Growlers at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to support exercise Cope North, which is scheduled for Feb. 8 – March 8, 2017. The maintenance performed by the Sailors allows the pilots to continue operating their aircraft and participating in the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Nathan Wicks) - U.S. Navy Sailors with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135 performed maintenance on E/A-18G Growlers at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to support exercise Cope North, which is scheduled for Feb. 8 – March 8, 2017. The maintenance performed by the Sailors allows the pilots to continue operating their aircraft and participating in the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Nathan Wicks)

Students and staff, service members and civilian personnel cut ribbons during the Matthew C. Perry High School ribbon-cutting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 3, 2017. The new 165,000 square foot high school is located next to the Kawashimo housing area provides improved security, resources and opportunities for students and staff. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, Lorenzo Brown, principal of M.C. Perry High School, Jeffrey Carr, assistant principal of M.C. Perry High School, Yoshihiko Fukuda, mayor of Iwakuni City, and Iwakuni officials conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony, signifying the grand opening of the new facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - Students and staff, service members and civilian personnel cut ribbons during the Matthew C. Perry High School ribbon-cutting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 3, 2017. The new 165,000 square foot high school is located next to the Kawashimo housing area provides improved security, resources and opportunities for students and staff. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, Lorenzo Brown, principal of M.C. Perry High School, Jeffrey Carr, assistant principal of M.C. Perry High School, Yoshihiko Fukuda, mayor of Iwakuni City, and Iwakuni officials conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony, signifying the grand opening of the new facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

A U.S. Marine with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225 inspects an F/A-18D Hornet during exercise Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 3, 2017. The Marines inspect the aircraft prior to take off to ensure it is fit for flight. Marines trained with the Royal Australian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force supporting theater security, focusing on dissimilar air combat training and large force employment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks) - A U.S. Marine with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225 inspects an F/A-18D Hornet during exercise Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 3, 2017. The Marines inspect the aircraft prior to take off to ensure it is fit for flight. Marines trained with the Royal Australian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force supporting theater security, focusing on dissimilar air combat training and large force employment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks)