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Marines

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Iwakuni Family Housing Office employees pose for a group photo at a contestant’s home during a Holiday Decoration Contest at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 17, 2025. The Iwakuni Family Housing office hosted the Holiday Decoration Contest to bring the community of MCAS Iwakuni together by showcasing festive lights and holiday decoration. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donald Dugger)

Iwakuni Family Housing Office employees pose for a group photo at a contestant’s home during a Holiday Decoration Contest at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 17, 2025. The Iwakuni Family Housing office hosted the Holiday Decoration Contest to bring the community of MCAS Iwakuni together by showcasing festive lights and holiday decoration. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donald Dugger)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Donald Dugger

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kenneth Rossman, right, the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, and a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Admiral Katsushi Ohkubo, the Fleet Air Wing 31 commander, pose for a photo at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 17, 2025. Col. Rossman and Rear Admiral Ohkubo decided which poster will be used to promote the 2026 Friendship Day, an event hosted annually to strengthen relationships with the community and offer a cultural exchange that highlights the mutual support between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kenneth Rossman, right, the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, and a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Admiral Katsushi Ohkubo, the Fleet Air Wing 31 commander, pose for a photo at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 17, 2025. Col. Rossman and Rear Admiral Ohkubo decided which poster will be used to promote the 2026 Friendship Day, an event hosted annually to strengthen relationships with the community and offer a cultural exchange that highlights the mutual support between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby

Students from Matthew C. Perry High School and students from Karyō High School prepare crepes during the sister-school agreement at M.C. Perry High School, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 12, 2025. This sister school agreement aims to strengthen cultural and educational ties between Japanese and American students, provide real-world English and Japanese language immersion, and promote a long-term student exchange between Japan and the U.S. military community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isaac De Leon)

Students from Matthew C. Perry High School and students from Karyō High School prepare crepes during the sister-school agreement at M.C. Perry High School, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 12, 2025. This sister school agreement aims to strengthen cultural and educational ties between Japanese and American students, provide real-world English and Japanese language immersion, and promote a long-term student exchange between Japan and the U.S. military community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isaac De Leon)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Isaac De Leon

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tyler Hawkins, top, a military police officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (HHS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of De Kalb, Texas, executes a hip throw during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program culminating event at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2025. Marines from Iwakuni conducted a five-hour culminating event that challenged students in mental resilience and warrior discipline through lethal close quarters combat training and physical conditioning. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tyler Hawkins, top, a military police officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (HHS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of De Kalb, Texas, executes a hip throw during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program culminating event at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2025. Marines from Iwakuni conducted a five-hour culminating event that challenged students in mental resilience and warrior discipline through lethal close quarters combat training and physical conditioning. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Johnson, left, the sergeant major of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and native of Washington D.C., and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief Petty Officer Kenichiro Chikamori, the command master chief petty officer of Fleet Air Wing 31, hammer rice together during a traditional Mochitsuki event at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 19, 2025. FAW 31 Iwakuni hosted an annual Mochitsuki event with Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) for the MCAS Iwakuni community to participate and learn more about Japanese New Year’s traditions and culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Siwan Lewis)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Johnson, left, the sergeant major of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and native of Washington D.C., and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief Petty Officer Kenichiro Chikamori, the command master chief petty officer of Fleet Air Wing 31, hammer rice together during a traditional Mochitsuki event at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 19, 2025. FAW 31 Iwakuni hosted an annual Mochitsuki event with Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) for the MCAS Iwakuni community to participate and learn more about Japanese New Year’s traditions and culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Siwan Lewis)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Siwan Lewis

U.S. Marines Corps Cpl. Pablo Almaraz, an aviation ordinance system technician with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, supervises a ground fighting event during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program culminating event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2025. Marines from MCAS Iwakuni conducted a five-hour culminating event that challenged students in mental resilience and warrior discipline through lethal close quarters combat training and physical conditioning. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah M. Grawcock)

U.S. Marines Corps Cpl. Pablo Almaraz, an aviation ordinance system technician with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, supervises a ground fighting event during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program culminating event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2025. Marines from MCAS Iwakuni conducted a five-hour culminating event that challenged students in mental resilience and warrior discipline through lethal close quarters combat training and physical conditioning. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah M. Grawcock)

Photo by Cpl. Sarah Grawcock

The community of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni watch a Christmas Parade at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 19, 2025. The Christmas Parade is an annual event held by MCAS Iwakuni Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting to help build community moral and holiday cheer before the year comes to an end. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Sarah M. Grawcock)

This image was created in color and changed to black-and-white in lightroom.

The community of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni watch a Christmas Parade at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 19, 2025. The Christmas Parade is an annual event held by MCAS Iwakuni Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting to help build community moral and holiday cheer before the year comes to an end. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Sarah M. Grawcock) This image was created in color and changed to black-and-white in lightroom.

Photo by Cpl. Sarah Grawcock

The Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni community participates in a traditional Mochitsuki mochi pounding event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 19, 2025. Fleet Air Wing 31 Iwakuni hosted a traditional annual Mochitsuki event with AIMD for the MCAS Iwakuni community to participate and learn more about Japanese New Year’s traditions and culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

The Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni community participates in a traditional Mochitsuki mochi pounding event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 19, 2025. Fleet Air Wing 31 Iwakuni hosted a traditional annual Mochitsuki event with AIMD for the MCAS Iwakuni community to participate and learn more about Japanese New Year’s traditions and culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett

U.S. Marines with the Provost Marshal office, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (HHS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Hiroshima Prefectural Police headquarters members and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure military working dog handlers, pose for a group photo during a K-9 training exercise at JMSDF Kure Naval Base, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025. U.S. Marines with MCAS Iwakuni military working dog team conducted a K-9 training exercise with the JMSDF and officers of the Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters to display operational readiness by enhancing the obedience and threat response of their K9s while strengthening relations with the Japanese. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

U.S. Marines with the Provost Marshal office, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (HHS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Hiroshima Prefectural Police headquarters members and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure military working dog handlers, pose for a group photo during a K-9 training exercise at JMSDF Kure Naval Base, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025. U.S. Marines with MCAS Iwakuni military working dog team conducted a K-9 training exercise with the JMSDF and officers of the Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters to display operational readiness by enhancing the obedience and threat response of their K9s while strengthening relations with the Japanese. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby

Participants pose for a group photo during the 2025 Iwakuni Friendship Relay Marathon at the Atago Sports Complex in Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 7, 2025. The Iwakuni Friendship Relay Marathon helped build camaraderie through friendly competition, as well as winners receiving awards for being one of the top three teams in different categories, including primary school-aged, international, and best costume. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett)

Participants pose for a group photo during the 2025 Iwakuni Friendship Relay Marathon at the Atago Sports Complex in Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 7, 2025. The Iwakuni Friendship Relay Marathon helped build camaraderie through friendly competition, as well as winners receiving awards for being one of the top three teams in different categories, including primary school-aged, international, and best costume. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett)

Photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett

A woman holds a welcome home sign during the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 homecoming at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 11, 2025. CVW-5 aircraft and personnel were welcomed home by friends and family after returning to MCAS Iwakuni from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), where they provided air superiority and all-weather offensive air-to-surface attack capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

A woman holds a welcome home sign during the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 homecoming at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 11, 2025. CVW-5 aircraft and personnel were welcomed home by friends and family after returning to MCAS Iwakuni from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), where they provided air superiority and all-weather offensive air-to-surface attack capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kenneth Rossman, center left, the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, and a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Mr. Fukuda Yoshihiko, center right, the Iwakuni city mayor, walk outside the MCAS Iwakuni main gate during a joint leadership walk at Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 12, 2025. Leadership from MCAS Iwakuni, Iwakuni City, and Fleet Air Wing 31, toured Iwakuni city, spoke to citizens, news organizations and local business owners, strengthening relationships between the local and on-base communities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kenneth Rossman, center left, the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, and a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Mr. Fukuda Yoshihiko, center right, the Iwakuni city mayor, walk outside the MCAS Iwakuni main gate during a joint leadership walk at Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 12, 2025. Leadership from MCAS Iwakuni, Iwakuni City, and Fleet Air Wing 31, toured Iwakuni city, spoke to citizens, news organizations and local business owners, strengthening relationships between the local and on-base communities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sean McCormick, top left, a naval aviator, and Lt. Tyler Sost, a weapons system officer, and a native of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, both with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, Carrier Strike Group 5, pose for a photo in front of a F-18F Super Hornet aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 10, 2025. CVW-5 aircraft and personnel returned to MCAS Iwakuni from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), where they provided air superiority, all-weather offensive air-to-surface attack capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett)

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sean McCormick, top left, a naval aviator, and Lt. Tyler Sost, a weapons system officer, and a native of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, both with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, Carrier Strike Group 5, pose for a photo in front of a F-18F Super Hornet aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 10, 2025. CVW-5 aircraft and personnel returned to MCAS Iwakuni from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), where they provided air superiority, all-weather offensive air-to-surface attack capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett)

Photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett

Virsa Perkins, the U.S. Consulate Fukuoka principal officer, and a native of Memphis, Tennessee, observes the functions of the flightline at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 1, 2025. The United States Consulate Fukuoka staff visited MCAS Iwakuni to continue improving the relationship between MCAS Iwakuni and state department. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

Virsa Perkins, the U.S. Consulate Fukuoka principal officer, and a native of Memphis, Tennessee, observes the functions of the flightline at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 1, 2025. The United States Consulate Fukuoka staff visited MCAS Iwakuni to continue improving the relationship between MCAS Iwakuni and state department. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett

U.S. Navy pilots with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, prepare to greet friends and family members at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 6, 2025. CVW-5 aircraft and personnel return from being forward-deployed on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) which provided air superiority and all-weather offensive air-to-surface attack capabilities, to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

U.S. Navy pilots with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, prepare to greet friends and family members at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 6, 2025. CVW-5 aircraft and personnel return from being forward-deployed on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) which provided air superiority and all-weather offensive air-to-surface attack capabilities, to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett

U.S. Sailors with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic, Naval Station Norfolk Virginia, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force members with Air Mine Countermeasures and Cargo Helicopter Squadron 111, pose for a photo during a bilateral training event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan Nov. 18, 2025. Mine Warfare Exercise (MIWEX) 3JA is part of an annual series of exercises between JMSDF and the U.S. Navy designed to increase proficiency in mine countermeasure operations between the two forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

U.S. Sailors with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic, Naval Station Norfolk Virginia, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force members with Air Mine Countermeasures and Cargo Helicopter Squadron 111, pose for a photo during a bilateral training event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan Nov. 18, 2025. Mine Warfare Exercise (MIWEX) 3JA is part of an annual series of exercises between JMSDF and the U.S. Navy designed to increase proficiency in mine countermeasure operations between the two forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Samuel Rivera, an expeditionary fuels technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, sings the Marines’ Hymn during a Corporals Course graduation at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 21, 2025. Corporals Course is a month-long professional military education course that teaches non-commissioned officers the fundamentals of leadership. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Samuel Rivera, an expeditionary fuels technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, sings the Marines’ Hymn during a Corporals Course graduation at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 21, 2025. Corporals Course is a month-long professional military education course that teaches non-commissioned officers the fundamentals of leadership. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby

U.S. service members and on-base personnel from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni participate in a softball tournament with the local community in Iwakuni city, Japan, Nov. 23, 2025. This tournament was held to strengthen relationships between U.S. service members and the Iwakuni community through food, fun and friendly competition. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

U.S. service members and on-base personnel from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni participate in a softball tournament with the local community in Iwakuni city, Japan, Nov. 23, 2025. This tournament was held to strengthen relationships between U.S. service members and the Iwakuni community through food, fun and friendly competition. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ella Cadby

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nguyen Vu, left, a power line mechanic with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate Adama Ceesay, center, with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kevin Barrios Palafox, right, a fixed wing aircraft safety mechanic with VMGR-152, MAG-12, 1st MAW, raise their right hands for the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 26, 2025. The naturalization ceremony was held to acknowledge military service members’ accomplishment of becoming United States citizens. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nguyen Vu, left, a power line mechanic with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate Adama Ceesay, center, with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kevin Barrios Palafox, right, a fixed wing aircraft safety mechanic with VMGR-152, MAG-12, 1st MAW, raise their right hands for the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 26, 2025. The naturalization ceremony was held to acknowledge military service members’ accomplishment of becoming United States citizens. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett

U.S. Navy LCDR Robert Ward, a pilot with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, greets his family at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 3, 2025. CVW-5 aircraft and personnel return from being forward-deployed on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) which provided air superiority and all-weather offensive air-to-surface attack capabilities, to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

U.S. Navy LCDR Robert Ward, a pilot with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, greets his family at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 3, 2025. CVW-5 aircraft and personnel return from being forward-deployed on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) which provided air superiority and all-weather offensive air-to-surface attack capabilities, to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett