News Stories

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents pose with Japanese locals during a free driving class held for station residents in Iwakuni City, Japan, June 28, 2017. The station residents learned traffic rules and manners, and drove in a live course with Japanese instructors and translators. Twenty station residents were invited to take part in the short, educational workshop aimed to decrease the number of traffic accidents and violations caused by station residents. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez) - Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents pose with Japanese locals during a free driving class held for station residents in Iwakuni City, Japan, June 28, 2017. The station residents learned traffic rules and manners, and drove in a live course with Japanese instructors and translators. Twenty station residents were invited to take part in the short, educational workshop aimed to decrease the number of traffic accidents and violations caused by station residents. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andrew Demars, an airframe mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, conducts maintenance on an F/A-18C Hornet during scheduled phase maintenance at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 27, 2017. When aircraft go through phase maintenance, mechanics are able to perform in-depth maintenance to enhance the welfare of the aircraft. The definitive objective of the evaluation is to ensure mission accomplishment and safety of operations around the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andrew Demars, an airframe mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, conducts maintenance on an F/A-18C Hornet during scheduled phase maintenance at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 27, 2017. When aircraft go through phase maintenance, mechanics are able to perform in-depth maintenance to enhance the welfare of the aircraft. The definitive objective of the evaluation is to ensure mission accomplishment and safety of operations around the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, discover a potential improvised explosive device while on a security patrol during exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 16, 2017. Eagle Wrath 2017 is a two-week training evolution focusing on air base ground defense, establishing forward operating bases and forward arming and refueling points in an austere environment as a way to support Marine Aircraft Group 12. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell) - U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, discover a potential improvised explosive device while on a security patrol during exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 16, 2017. Eagle Wrath 2017 is a two-week training evolution focusing on air base ground defense, establishing forward operating bases and forward arming and refueling points in an austere environment as a way to support Marine Aircraft Group 12. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Barry Bethea, an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting specialist with Marine Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, fireman carries a simulated casualty to a medical station during an unexpected mass casualty drill while participating in exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 15, 2017. The purpose of the drill was to see how medical personnel react in coalition with the Marines to make sure they are working in a fluid manner. Eagle Wrath 2017 is a two-week training evolution focusing on air base ground defense and establishing a forward operating base in an austere environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Barry Bethea, an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting specialist with Marine Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, fireman carries a simulated casualty to a medical station during an unexpected mass casualty drill while participating in exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 15, 2017. The purpose of the drill was to see how medical personnel react in coalition with the Marines to make sure they are working in a fluid manner. Eagle Wrath 2017 is a two-week training evolution focusing on air base ground defense and establishing a forward operating base in an austere environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Russell A. Sanborn, left, the commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, hugs Mrs. Kimberly Shipley, right, wife of former Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12 commanding officer, after an award presentation, during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 23, 2017. After two years of dedicated service to MAG-12, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Daniel Shipley was relieved of his duties to continue on and serve in Washington D.C. at Headquarters Marine Corps with Programs and Resources. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Russell A. Sanborn, left, the commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, hugs Mrs. Kimberly Shipley, right, wife of former Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12 commanding officer, after an award presentation, during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 23, 2017. After two years of dedicated service to MAG-12, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Daniel Shipley was relieved of his duties to continue on and serve in Washington D.C. at Headquarters Marine Corps with Programs and Resources. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Petty Officer 3rd Class Testsuro, a JMSDF aviation student, looks at an F/A-18C Hornet during a Junior Officer Exchange Program visit at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 21, 2017. Students came from Ozuki Air Base to learn about Marine Air Group (MAG) 12 and the F/A-18. They familiarized themselves with the aircraft during the visit by taking part in a flight simulator and by visiting a static display. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Petty Officer 3rd Class Testsuro, a JMSDF aviation student, looks at an F/A-18C Hornet during a Junior Officer Exchange Program visit at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 21, 2017. Students came from Ozuki Air Base to learn about Marine Air Group (MAG) 12 and the F/A-18. They familiarized themselves with the aircraft during the visit by taking part in a flight simulator and by visiting a static display. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Charles London, lead force-fitness instructor for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, shows his Marines how to foam roll their hamstring during a Fitness Road Show at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, June 14, 2017. Instructors with Force Fitness Division from Quantico, Va. visited MCAS Iwakuni as part of the road show to critique force-fitness instructors’ coaching and to answer any questions the teachers and students had. Force Fitness Instruction is a course intended to help Marines improve their fitness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Charles London, lead force-fitness instructor for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, shows his Marines how to foam roll their hamstring during a Fitness Road Show at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, June 14, 2017. Instructors with Force Fitness Division from Quantico, Va. visited MCAS Iwakuni as part of the road show to critique force-fitness instructors’ coaching and to answer any questions the teachers and students had. Force Fitness Instruction is a course intended to help Marines improve their fitness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents and local Japanese volunteers participate in a Cultural Adaptation Program rice-planting event in Iwakuni City, Japan, June 10, 2017. The event is held annually in June, after the rice seeds that were sown during April and May are grown and ready to be planted. Station residents have been participating in the event for more than 10 years. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez) - Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents and local Japanese volunteers participate in a Cultural Adaptation Program rice-planting event in Iwakuni City, Japan, June 10, 2017. The event is held annually in June, after the rice seeds that were sown during April and May are grown and ready to be planted. Station residents have been participating in the event for more than 10 years. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jesus Olmedo, a warehouse clerk with Combat Logistics Company 36, conducts the 400 yard tactical shuttle during the third annual High Intensity Tactical Training championship preliminaries at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2017. The event brought together the Marine Corps’ toughest male and female athletes to face off in obstacles that test their speed, endurance, strength and agility. Preliminary winners are slated to fly from their respective installations to compete at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, August 28-31, 2017, to be crowned the ‘Ultimate Tactical Athlete.’ (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jesus Olmedo, a warehouse clerk with Combat Logistics Company 36, conducts the 400 yard tactical shuttle during the third annual High Intensity Tactical Training championship preliminaries at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2017. The event brought together the Marine Corps’ toughest male and female athletes to face off in obstacles that test their speed, endurance, strength and agility. Preliminary winners are slated to fly from their respective installations to compete at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, August 28-31, 2017, to be crowned the ‘Ultimate Tactical Athlete.’ (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)