Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

A Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 ordnance technician salutes a VMFA(AW)-242 pilot and a weapon systems officer before they take off from the flight line here May 19. VMFA(AW)-242 launched its jets to conduct ongoing simulated air-to-air combat training with elements of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. VMFA(AW)-242 wrapped up its third week of the newly implimented air-to-air trianing with the Western Air Defense Force 8th Air Wing’s F-15J 204th and F-2A 6th JASDF Tactical Fighter Squadrons from Tsuiki Air Base. - A Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 ordnance technician salutes a VMFA(AW)-242 pilot and a weapon systems officer before they take off from the flight line here May 19. VMFA(AW)-242 launched its jets to conduct ongoing simulated air-to-air combat training with elements of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. VMFA(AW)-242 wrapped up its third week of the newly implimented air-to-air trianing with the Western Air Defense Force 8th Air Wing’s F-15J 204th and F-2A 6th JASDF Tactical Fighter Squadrons from Tsuiki Air Base.

Twenty-four Marine Aircraft Group 12 F/A-18s from Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 safely landed here March 30 to bring their portion of exercise Foal Eagle 2011 to a close. Col. Stephen G. Nitzschke, MAG-12 commanding officer, referenced this moment as one of the most significant to him during his command of MAG-12 because it serves as testament to The Ready Group’s abilities. Nitzschke is scheduled to be succeeded by Col. Christopher J. Mahoney as the MAG-12 commanding officer during a change-of-command ceremony today. - Twenty-four Marine Aircraft Group 12 F/A-18s from Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 safely landed here March 30 to bring their portion of exercise Foal Eagle 2011 to a close. Col. Stephen G. Nitzschke, MAG-12 commanding officer, referenced this moment as one of the most significant to him during his command of MAG-12 because it serves as testament to The Ready Group’s abilities. Nitzschke is scheduled to be succeeded by Col. Christopher J. Mahoney as the MAG-12 commanding officer during a change-of-command ceremony today.

Hott Mammas team members Stephanie Mifflin (LEFT) and Mandy Apple hold the slingshot at the obstacle course station here during the 2011 Amazing Race May 20. Heather Denardo puts a water balloon in the slingshot preparing to shoot it into a bucket to pass the station. The team completed the 14 stations with a time of 1 hour, 10 minutes, 40 seconds, missing out on third place by only 23 seconds. - Hott Mammas team members Stephanie Mifflin (LEFT) and Mandy Apple hold the slingshot at the obstacle course station here during the 2011 Amazing Race May 20. Heather Denardo puts a water balloon in the slingshot preparing to shoot it into a bucket to pass the station. The team completed the 14 stations with a time of 1 hour, 10 minutes, 40 seconds, missing out on third place by only 23 seconds.

Bre’Onna R. Ray, Matthew C. Perry girls soccer team captain and forward, attempts to retrieve the ball from Lydia Kim, Osan American High School girls soccer team captain and midfielder, during the Department of Defense Dependent Schools 2011 Division II Far East Girls Soccer Tournament championship game held at the M.C. Perry soccer field here May 19. Osan took the tournament title 2-1 in penalty kicks after both teams fought valiantly to a 0-0 finish in regulation. - Bre’Onna R. Ray, Matthew C. Perry girls soccer team captain and forward, attempts to retrieve the ball from Lydia Kim, Osan American High School girls soccer team captain and midfielder, during the Department of Defense Dependent Schools 2011 Division II Far East Girls Soccer Tournament championship game held at the M.C. Perry soccer field here May 19. Osan took the tournament title 2-1 in penalty kicks after both teams fought valiantly to a 0-0 finish in regulation.

Rodney M. Buentello lines up his golf club before swinging during the Marine Aircraft Group 12 sponsored golf tournament at the Torii Pines Golf Course here May 20. The purpose of the tournament was to bring about unit cohesion and morale. More than 40 Marines and sailors took part in the tournament. - Rodney M. Buentello lines up his golf club before swinging during the Marine Aircraft Group 12 sponsored golf tournament at the Torii Pines Golf Course here May 20. The purpose of the tournament was to bring about unit cohesion and morale. More than 40 Marines and sailors took part in the tournament.

Lt. j. g. Bruce B. West, 41, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron chaplain, a native of Williamsburg, Va., died Saturday in a bicycle accident near Yasaka dam. - Lt. j. g. Bruce B. West, 41, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron chaplain, a native of Williamsburg, Va., died Saturday in a bicycle accident near Yasaka dam.

Lance Cpl. Austin Mckenna, Installation Personnel Administration Center personnel clerk, attempts to dunk his Executive Officer Maj. Travis K. Brittain during Kid’s Day at the Monzen side baseball field here May 20. - Lance Cpl. Austin Mckenna, Installation Personnel Administration Center personnel clerk, attempts to dunk his Executive Officer Maj. Travis K. Brittain during Kid’s Day at the Monzen side baseball field here May 20.

Atkin M. Chapa, 8, Matthew C. Perry Elementary School third-grader, jumps from ball to ball during the Family Fun Fitness::r::::n::Festival that was held outside the Marine Corps Exchange and station Commissary here Saturday. The obstacle course focused on keeping the children moving. Training and better nutritional habits were discussed during the festival. - Atkin M. Chapa, 8, Matthew C. Perry Elementary School third-grader, jumps from ball to ball during the Family Fun Fitness::r::::n::Festival that was held outside the Marine Corps Exchange and station Commissary here Saturday. The obstacle course focused on keeping the children moving. Training and better nutritional habits were discussed during the festival.

Gayla Hines, a Matthew C. Perry Elementary School second grader, pours sand into a tube to layer different colors into a design at the sand booth during the M.C. Perry Spring Fling School Carnival at the M.C. Perry Elementary School playground here May 13. Hines used more pink sand than any other color on the table for her sand design. - Gayla Hines, a Matthew C. Perry Elementary School second grader, pours sand into a tube to layer different colors into a design at the sand booth during the M.C. Perry Spring Fling School Carnival at the M.C. Perry Elementary School playground here May 13. Hines used more pink sand than any other color on the table for her sand design.