News Stories

A variety of departments gathered together to conduct a noncombatant evacuation operation exercise inside the IronWorks Gymnasium at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 30, 2015. A NEO can be triggered by anything from a military threat to a natural disaster. This operation is conducted to evacuate noncombatants, nonessential military personnel, selected host-nation citizens, and third country nationals, who are in danger, to a safe location. - A variety of departments gathered together to conduct a noncombatant evacuation operation exercise inside the IronWorks Gymnasium at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 30, 2015. A NEO can be triggered by anything from a military threat to a natural disaster. This operation is conducted to evacuate noncombatants, nonessential military personnel, selected host-nation citizens, and third country nationals, who are in danger, to a safe location.

A preschooler from Kawashimo Preschool in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, scurries around the playground during a relay race at Kawashimo Preschool Sept. 29, 2015. Service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni visited the preschool to show their support and give back to the community. - A preschooler from Kawashimo Preschool in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, scurries around the playground during a relay race at Kawashimo Preschool Sept. 29, 2015. Service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni visited the preschool to show their support and give back to the community.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, right, and Rear Adm. Naoki Sonoda, commander of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Fleet Air Wing 31, left, say their goodbyes at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force hangar, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 29, 2015. Dolan set aside time during his brief stop at the station to reconnect with the JMSDF service members who rescued him after an aircraft collision almost two decades ago. Dolan ejected from his F-16, 630 nautical miles away from Tokyo into the Pacific Ocean, where he was saved almost five hours later by the Japanese aircraft rescue crew. - U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, right, and Rear Adm. Naoki Sonoda, commander of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Fleet Air Wing 31, left, say their goodbyes at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force hangar, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 29, 2015. Dolan set aside time during his brief stop at the station to reconnect with the JMSDF service members who rescued him after an aircraft collision almost two decades ago. Dolan ejected from his F-16, 630 nautical miles away from Tokyo into the Pacific Ocean, where he was saved almost five hours later by the Japanese aircraft rescue crew.

Japanese children from schools in the local area and children from Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, participate in the Japan-U.S. Friendship Kid's Soccer Event coordinated by the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau at the Suo-Oshima Town Athletics Track and Field in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 27, 2015. This annual event serves as an opportunity for American and Japanese children to interact and help build bonds between the people of the U.S. and Japan. - Japanese children from schools in the local area and children from Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, participate in the Japan-U.S. Friendship Kid's Soccer Event coordinated by the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau at the Suo-Oshima Town Athletics Track and Field in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 27, 2015. This annual event serves as an opportunity for American and Japanese children to interact and help build bonds between the people of the U.S. and Japan.

Cpl. Veronica Shoemake, a food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, poses for a picture after winning the Chef of the Quarter competition at the R.G. Robinson Mess Hall on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 24, 2015. This is Shoemake’s second time winning this competition. A package, including everything Shoemake has done during the third quarter, will be submitted to Marine Corps Installations Pacific allowing her to compete against other regional winners of the Chef of the Quarter competition. - Cpl. Veronica Shoemake, a food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, poses for a picture after winning the Chef of the Quarter competition at the R.G. Robinson Mess Hall on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 24, 2015. This is Shoemake’s second time winning this competition. A package, including everything Shoemake has done during the third quarter, will be submitted to Marine Corps Installations Pacific allowing her to compete against other regional winners of the Chef of the Quarter competition.

Mikie Watanabe, cultural adaption specialist with the cultural adaption program, speaks to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, residents during a trip to the annual Japanese Calligraphy Brush Festival, in Kumano, Hiroshima Prefecture, Sept. 23, 2015. Guests wandered through the brush decorated city, where they interacted with Japanese locals, practiced their calligraphy skills and enjoyed local cuisine. The cultural adaption program aboard station coordinated this event to provide service members and their families a chance to travel beyond the installations gates and experience the Japanese culture. - Mikie Watanabe, cultural adaption specialist with the cultural adaption program, speaks to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, residents during a trip to the annual Japanese Calligraphy Brush Festival, in Kumano, Hiroshima Prefecture, Sept. 23, 2015. Guests wandered through the brush decorated city, where they interacted with Japanese locals, practiced their calligraphy skills and enjoyed local cuisine. The cultural adaption program aboard station coordinated this event to provide service members and their families a chance to travel beyond the installations gates and experience the Japanese culture.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members joined Marines for lunch at the R.G. Robinson Mess Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 15, 2015. Members of the JGSDF visited MCAS Iwakuni for an English seminar helping them to better communicate with American military members and build a greater positive relationship between the Japanese and Americans. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members joined Marines for lunch at the R.G. Robinson Mess Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 15, 2015. Members of the JGSDF visited MCAS Iwakuni for an English seminar helping them to better communicate with American military members and build a greater positive relationship between the Japanese and Americans.

Dr. Suzanne Landrum, principal of Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, plays the drums with a local drum group, “Marifu Daiko”, during the Info Expo inside the Club Iwakuni Grand Ballroom aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 12, 2015. The group includes station residents and local Japanese drummers. The Info Expo provided an opportunity for station residents to familiarize themselves with services offered on and off base as well as travel, shopping, and cultural experiences available. - Dr. Suzanne Landrum, principal of Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, plays the drums with a local drum group, “Marifu Daiko”, during the Info Expo inside the Club Iwakuni Grand Ballroom aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 12, 2015. The group includes station residents and local Japanese drummers. The Info Expo provided an opportunity for station residents to familiarize themselves with services offered on and off base as well as travel, shopping, and cultural experiences available.

Students with Matthew C. Perry Elementary School gather around to greet Eiji Aridome, a fire fighter aboard station, and, Sparky, the air station’s fire safety dog, during M.C. Perry Elementary and High School’s 9/11 Remembrance Walk aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 11, 2015. Beginning at 9:11 a.m., this is the third annual walk hosted by the schools and an event that helps students understand the significance of never forgetting, according to Devin Johnston-Lee, fire chief for the air station. - Students with Matthew C. Perry Elementary School gather around to greet Eiji Aridome, a fire fighter aboard station, and, Sparky, the air station’s fire safety dog, during M.C. Perry Elementary and High School’s 9/11 Remembrance Walk aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 11, 2015. Beginning at 9:11 a.m., this is the third annual walk hosted by the schools and an event that helps students understand the significance of never forgetting, according to Devin Johnston-Lee, fire chief for the air station.

Station residents attend the 9/11 remembrance service at Marine Memorial Chapel aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 11, 2015. The service honored those who lost thier lives 14 years ago. - Station residents attend the 9/11 remembrance service at Marine Memorial Chapel aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 11, 2015. The service honored those who lost thier lives 14 years ago.