Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Photo by Lance Cpl. Lennon Dregoiw - U.S. Navy Sailor HN Patrick Pierson, a preventive medicine technician with the Naval Family Branch Health Clinic (BHC), prepares an influenza vaccine during Exercise Active Shield aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 27, 2020. The BHC conducted a 72-hour mass immunization event to vaccinate all active-duty service members at the air station. Active Shield is an annual bilateral exercise partnering U.S. and Japanese forces for the protection and defense of MCAS Iwakuni and other assets in the region in order to sustain military operations in support of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lennon Dregoiw)

JMSDF, MCAS Iwakuni take Friendship Day 2019 to new altitudes - Japanese guests view various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft during the 43rd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2019. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an exciting experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft, aerial performances, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Timothy Valero)

Active Shield tests mission readiness between American, Japanese forces - Firefighters from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni respond to a simulated casualty during a chemical exposure drill as part of exercise Active Shield at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 17, 2017. Active Shield is an annual exercise designed to test the abilities of U.S. and Japanese forces to work alongside each other to protect and defend the air station and other U.S. assets in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps illustration by Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

A Japanese local and a U.S. Marine use ballon swords to duel during the 41st Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2017. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an elevating experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show also encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static aircraft displays, aerial performances and demonstrations, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jesula Jeanlouis) - A Japanese local and a U.S. Marine use ballon swords to duel during the 41st Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2017. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an elevating experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show also encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static aircraft displays, aerial performances and demonstrations, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jesula Jeanlouis)

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)

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 assemble an M240 Bravo Light-Machine Gun on a high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle during exercise Thunder Horse 16.2 at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Haramura Maneuver Area in Hiroshima, Japan, May 9, 2016. The squadron plans to conduct various drills pertaining to aviation ground support forces, aircraft salvage and recovery, convoys, direct refueling, recovery and general engineering operations, establishing a tactical motor pool, providing air operations and planning expeditionary fire rescue services. The exercise focuses on reinforcing skills that Marines learned during Marine Combat Training and throughout their military occupational specialty schooling in order to maintain situational readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 assemble an M240 Bravo Light-Machine Gun on a high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle during exercise Thunder Horse 16.2 at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Haramura Maneuver Area in Hiroshima, Japan, May 9, 2016. The squadron plans to conduct various drills pertaining to aviation ground support forces, aircraft salvage and recovery, convoys, direct refueling, recovery and general engineering operations, establishing a tactical motor pool, providing air operations and planning expeditionary fire rescue services. The exercise focuses on reinforcing skills that Marines learned during Marine Combat Training and throughout their military occupational specialty schooling in order to maintain situational readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. 1st Class Iwamoto, Japanese interpreter instructor, throws a rubber grenade while conducting a combat fitness test during the Public Affairs Office’s annual English seminar on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 16, 2016. The seminar is held annually by the station Public Affairs Office to help improve upon the JGSDF’s understanding and use of the English language prior to their deployment in support of exercises in both the United States and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio/Released) - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. 1st Class Iwamoto, Japanese interpreter instructor, throws a rubber grenade while conducting a combat fitness test during the Public Affairs Office’s annual English seminar on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 16, 2016. The seminar is held annually by the station Public Affairs Office to help improve upon the JGSDF’s understanding and use of the English language prior to their deployment in support of exercises in both the United States and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio/Released)

Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers take a stance after a simulated riot control situation during Exercise Guard and Protect at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 20-23, 2015. Marines and JGSDF soldiers were challenged with real world situations such as riot control, armed intruder response and vehicle searches to prepare in case the air station has to take a defense posture. - Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers take a stance after a simulated riot control situation during Exercise Guard and Protect at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 20-23, 2015. Marines and JGSDF soldiers were challenged with real world situations such as riot control, armed intruder response and vehicle searches to prepare in case the air station has to take a defense posture.

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, stationed load onto Marine Wing Support Squadron 171’s MK-31 tractor/extended bed during Exercise Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Aibano, Japan, Sept. 8, 2015. MWSS-171 is supporting Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 and 1st Battalion 2nd Marines during this exercise using their communications, motor transport and refueling capabilities. - Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, stationed load onto Marine Wing Support Squadron 171’s MK-31 tractor/extended bed during Exercise Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Aibano, Japan, Sept. 8, 2015. MWSS-171 is supporting Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 and 1st Battalion 2nd Marines during this exercise using their communications, motor transport and refueling capabilities.

Master Sgt. Hideyuki Watabe, an infantryman with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force’s 13th Brigade, 46th Regiment, left, explains aspects of JGSDF training to Sgt. Giancarlo Maragni, a Corporals Couse instructor from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during an English seminar aboard JGSDF Base Kaita in Hiroshima, August 8, 2014. The purpose behind the tour was to provide Marines the opportunity to visit and experience the Japanese military lifestyle and training requisites. - Master Sgt. Hideyuki Watabe, an infantryman with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force’s 13th Brigade, 46th Regiment, left, explains aspects of JGSDF training to Sgt. Giancarlo Maragni, a Corporals Couse instructor from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during an English seminar aboard JGSDF Base Kaita in Hiroshima, August 8, 2014. The purpose behind the tour was to provide Marines the opportunity to visit and experience the Japanese military lifestyle and training requisites.