News Stories

Photo by Cpl. Calah Thompson - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zachariah Kern, right, a freight transportation clerk with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, oversees cargo distribution documents at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, June 15, 2023. Transportation specialists coordinate, monitor, and control the movement of equipment and cargo to, from, and across the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Calah Thompson)

If It Can Be Shipped, It Will Be Shipped; MCAS Iwakuni Unit Feature on the Distribution Management Office

Flying high above the clouds, looking down on shimmering waters and small islands scattered around a larger land mass; passengers headed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni get their first glance of Japan.Almost all Department of Defense personnel traveling to MCAS Iwakuni arrive through the Air Mobility Command terminal on base, where they are

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Photo by Cpl. Raymond Tong - Renee Cobb the principal Matthew C. Perry High School hugs a member of the graduating class during a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 21, 2023. Biden visited MCAS Iwakuni as part of the Joining Forces initiative which focuses on supporting veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Raymond Tong)

Faces of Iwakuni, Latressa Renée Cobb

When one reminisces about childhood memories of long school days and short recesses, days where they not only learned basic math and science, but also who they are as a person. Days in school are vital to many kids' development into a mature adult, and they can help give someone higher chances of success in the future. Many people can pinpoint a

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Photo by Cpl. Calah Thompson - Yasufumi Nakamura, the president of the Momiji Manju Yamadaya factory, gives a presentation to members of a cultural adaptations trip on the process of creating the momiji manju at Hatsukaichi, Japan, May 23, 2023. Cultural adaptations is a program through Marine Corps Community Services that gives residents of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni opportunities to immerse themselves in the community and culture of Iwakuni and of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Calah Thompson)

Sweet treats and Momiji Leaves; Residents of MCAS Iwakuni Visit a Momiji Manju Factory with Cultural Adaptations

The sweet smell of fresh baked goods dances through the air, and warm natural light pours in from the sky lights as residents of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni walk around the Yamadaya Momiji Manju factory in Hatsukaichi, Japan, May 23rd, 2023. From behind a glass panel, they watch the workers mixing and pouring and working diligently to create

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Photo by Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Dennis Kearn, the manager of the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni northside mess hall, speaks with service members at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 17, 2023. Kearn’s role as the chow hall manager has ensured that hundreds of Marines are fed every day. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor)

Faces of Iwakuni, Gunnery Sgt. Dennis Kearn

Being a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, Dennis Kearn has always had a dedication to creating unique and captivating dishes. Amidst the many cultural cuisines offered, his favorite dish was a staple of Louisiana gastronomy; seafood gumbo. Growing up surrounded by so many savory foods ignited a passion for the culinary art that has stuck with him

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Photo by Cpl. Raymond Tong - Ret. U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christina Grantham, now the director of the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, poses for a photo in front of her retirement shadow box at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2023. As the director of the NMCRS, Grantham provides support to individuals facing adversity through a variety of means, including quick-assist loans, the visiting nurses program, thrift shops, education assistance, and personal finance classes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Raymond Tong)

The power of resilience: A US Marine's story of courage, resilience and empowerment

"It was hard being a young female Marine,” said Ret. U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christina Grantham, recalling her time in service in the late 1990’s. “Life was really predatory. I don't think anyone viewed females as anything more than a piece of meat.”Now the MCAS Iwakuni NMCRS director, Grantham recounted the challenges and experiences she faced

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Photo by Sgt. Mitchell Austin - Robert Butterworth, a training specialist at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Provost Marshals Office at poses for a photo at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Apr. 21, 2023. A native of Davenport Iowa, Butterworth joined the Army National Guard after seeing how 9/11 changed the world and wanted to make a difference. After completing his tour with the National Guard, he looked for new direction where he found a passion teaching and training military police. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Mitchell Austin)

It’s all about passion; Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Provost Marshals Office Training Specialist recounts finding a job that feels tailor made for him

"Things that some people would consider going above and beyond, are just part of the fun for me!"For Robert Butterworth, it's more than just a job, his work is an overall more rewarding experience. "I get to schedule large scale exercises in the morning and then in the afternoon I get to OC spray and taser some Marines; Just scream and yell and

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Photo by Cpl. Raymond Tong - An explosive charge detonates during ordnance training in preparation for Friendship Day 2023, at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 26, 2023. The MCAS Iwakuni Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been conducting various controlled explosions since December 2022 in preparation for Friendship Day 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Raymond Tong)

Tick, tock, boom: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines conduct training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

U.S. Marines stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan conducted an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training range on March 26, 2023, in preparation for Friendship Day, scheduled April 15, 2023. The event focused on a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) demonstration, which showcases the Marines' ability to conduct airstrikes and air

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Photo by Staff Sergeant. Jessika Braden - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jayden Watson, a future operations noncommissioned officer with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), gives a presentation at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 15, 2023. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Watson joined the Marine Corps in 2019 to make headway toward a safe and healthy lifestyle and provide for his three younger siblings. Despite facing adversity throughout his career, Watson has contributed to the success of Marines on the installation by serving as a combat marksmanship coach, an accredited Lean Six Sigma Instructor, and an adversity recovery mentor. (Courtesy photo by Staff Sergeant. Jessika Braden)

The only way is forward: US Marine overcomes adversity to give to family, community

“Your story is not about the beginning, your story is about the whole picture, people will keep reading even after hearing all the bad stuff that you've done.” This is what a U.S. Marine Corps recruiter told Jayden Watson upon meeting him at a crossroads in his life when he was not sure if he would live or die on any given day in the winter of

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photo by Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor - U.S. Army Sgt. Monica Laverdure (right), an Animal Care Specialist with Public Health Activity (PHA) Japan, Iwakuni Branch, and U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sierra Parks, a military working-dog handler assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Provost Marshal’s Office (PMO), discuss a military-working dog’s health at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 4, 2023. Laverdure, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of the few Soldiers stationed on MCAS Iwakuni’s veterinary treatment facility where she works to keep both military working dogs and personal pets on the air station healthy and active. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor)

Canine’s Best Friend: U.S. Army Soldier embraces job as Animal Care Specialist on MCAS Iwakuni

On MCAS Iwakuni, Animal Care Specialists such U.S. Army Sgt. Monica Laverdure has been keeping animals healthy and active at the Iwakuni Veterinary Treatment facility. With her experiences in many stressful situations involving the health of animals and her enthusiasm while on the job, Laverdure has become a model caretaker to her clients and an

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Photo by Cpl. Isaac Orozco - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Sucik, an Engineman with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, steers a utility boat at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 19, 2022. Sucik, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, joined the Navy in 2020 and has since become MCAS Iwakuni’s H&HS Blue Jacket of the Year for 2022, as well as a part-time musician who performs his music at different venues. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Orozco)

Adaptability is key: U.S. Navy engineer reflects on upbringing, self-interests, career

“Life’s all about finding a meaning in the job you do, the work you do, the hobbies you do. If you’re not trying to find a meaning then I would ask, why are you doing what you are doing?” This is what U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Christian Sucik said to himself during a tumultuous time in his life as a teenager. At this point in his

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