Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Sgt. Isaac Ross, aircraft rescue firefighter with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, helps a child with the fire hose during Junior Recruit Day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 8, 2016. Junior Recruit Day allowed the children of service member’s assigned Marine Aircraft Group 12 to get a first-hand look at what their military parent’s experiences on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio) - Sgt. Isaac Ross, aircraft rescue firefighter with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, helps a child with the fire hose during Junior Recruit Day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 8, 2016. Junior Recruit Day allowed the children of service member’s assigned Marine Aircraft Group 12 to get a first-hand look at what their military parent’s experiences on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio)

Members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12; Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Japan Air Self-Defense Force pile all the trash gathered during Operation Kibagata at Kibagata Park, Komatsu, Japan, March 12, 2016. Operation Kibagata brought participants of the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base together to clean the local community. Community relations events not only lend a hand to the local community, they are an important aspect of strengthening one of the world’s strongest alliances in order to maintain peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12; Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Japan Air Self-Defense Force pile all the trash gathered during Operation Kibagata at Kibagata Park, Komatsu, Japan, March 12, 2016. Operation Kibagata brought participants of the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base together to clean the local community. Community relations events not only lend a hand to the local community, they are an important aspect of strengthening one of the world’s strongest alliances in order to maintain peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

A Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, VMFA(AW)-242, F/A-18D Hornet performs an engine test inside a hush house at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2015. These facilities are used to reduce noise in the local area when testing aircraft engines. Building and using facilities like these help strengthen the bond between the air station and the local community by showing that the station listens to the needs of the community and are doing their best to accommodate local citizens. - A Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, VMFA(AW)-242, F/A-18D Hornet performs an engine test inside a hush house at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2015. These facilities are used to reduce noise in the local area when testing aircraft engines. Building and using facilities like these help strengthen the bond between the air station and the local community by showing that the station listens to the needs of the community and are doing their best to accommodate local citizens.

Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron hosted the 2015 Jane Wayne Day, May 16, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Jane Wayne Day provides spouses and family members of Marines and sailors with the opportunity to get a taste of Marine Corps training and experience a day in the life of a Marine. - Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron hosted the 2015 Jane Wayne Day, May 16, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Jane Wayne Day provides spouses and family members of Marines and sailors with the opportunity to get a taste of Marine Corps training and experience a day in the life of a Marine.

Left to right, Cpl. Jessica Quezada, a combat correspondent, Lance Cpl. Mark Adams, a combat photographer, and Cpl. Mitchell Flowers, a combat camera production specialist, participate in the Jingle Bell Jog, Dec. 19, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The Marines are with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. Marine Corps Community Services hosted the event to help raise morale during the holiday season. The 1.5km event had more than 1,400 participants from various units aboard station. - Left to right, Cpl. Jessica Quezada, a combat correspondent, Lance Cpl. Mark Adams, a combat photographer, and Cpl. Mitchell Flowers, a combat camera production specialist, participate in the Jingle Bell Jog, Dec. 19, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The Marines are with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. Marine Corps Community Services hosted the event to help raise morale during the holiday season. The 1.5km event had more than 1,400 participants from various units aboard station.

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 completed the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 25 2014, when their F/A-18 Hornets flew out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program increased combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improved its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhanced joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focused on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets included, but weren’t limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. - Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 completed the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 25 2014, when their F/A-18 Hornets flew out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program increased combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improved its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhanced joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focused on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets included, but weren’t limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.

Gunnery Sgt. Osvaldo Rincon, powerline division chief with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, guides an F-18/A Hornet aboard Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to participate in the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 9, 2014, to increase the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improve its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhance joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focuses on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting units include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. - Gunnery Sgt. Osvaldo Rincon, powerline division chief with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, guides an F-18/A Hornet aboard Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to participate in the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 9, 2014, to increase the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improve its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhance joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focuses on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting units include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.

Cpl. Branden Arnett, motor transportation operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, guides a Logistics Vehicle System Replacement MKR-18 Cargo Vehicle through and overpass during the relocation movement of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 15, 2014. - Cpl. Branden Arnett, motor transportation operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, guides a Logistics Vehicle System Replacement MKR-18 Cargo Vehicle through and overpass during the relocation movement of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 15, 2014.

Cpl. Matthew S. Smith, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 volunteer, gives high fives to Matthew C. Perry Elementary School students after the Parade of Uniforms display, which took place inside the Matthew C. Perry High School Gymnasium here, April 4, 2013. Volunteers posed for photographs with each class attending the event. - Cpl. Matthew S. Smith, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 volunteer, gives high fives to Matthew C. Perry Elementary School students after the Parade of Uniforms display, which took place inside the Matthew C. Perry High School Gymnasium here, April 4, 2013. Volunteers posed for photographs with each class attending the event.