Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gary W. Thomason, exeutive officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, discusses military operations with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Mitsuhiko Nakadai, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Tanaka, JMSDF Capt. Madoka Sato and JMSDF Cmdr. Hiroko Takigawa, instructors from the Japanese Joint Staff College, during their visit to the air station in Iwakuni, Japan, May 9, 2016. The Japanese Joint Staff College instructors visited MCAS Iwakuni to learn about Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gary W. Thomason, exeutive officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, discusses military operations with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Mitsuhiko Nakadai, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Tanaka, JMSDF Capt. Madoka Sato and JMSDF Cmdr. Hiroko Takigawa, instructors from the Japanese Joint Staff College, during their visit to the air station in Iwakuni, Japan, May 9, 2016. The Japanese Joint Staff College instructors visited MCAS Iwakuni to learn about Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released)

A Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 Marine stands watch on the seawall here to protect the station against further attacks during Exercise Total Shield 2010 Feb. 24. Exercise Total Shield was designed to test the station’s ability to continue its normal support operations while successfully defending itself against terrorist attacks. - A Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 Marine stands watch on the seawall here to protect the station against further attacks during Exercise Total Shield 2010 Feb. 24. Exercise Total Shield was designed to test the station’s ability to continue its normal support operations while successfully defending itself against terrorist attacks.

An F/A-18 prepares for flight at the start of aviation training relocation conducted with Japanese forces July 25. The exercise is a week-long, bilateral exercise demonstrating joint capabilities and improving interoperability between the United States and Japan. - An F/A-18 prepares for flight at the start of aviation training relocation conducted with Japanese forces July 25. The exercise is a week-long, bilateral exercise demonstrating joint capabilities and improving interoperability between the United States and Japan.