News Stories

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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Photo by U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Isaac Orozco - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Yocelin Vertiz (center right), an administration specialist, and Lance Cpl. Meghan Sauvalle, an expeditionary airfield systems technician, both assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, help children off a bounce house during the Owl Park Inclusive Day community relations event at the Atagoyama Fukuro Park, also known as the Atago Owl Park, in Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 23 2022. Vertiz currently serves as the H&HS Primary Single Marine Program Representative, where she helps coordinate events for her Marines. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Isaac Orozco).

How Volunteering Changed a U.S. Marine’s Life

Social anxiety is one of the most common issues children face in today’s world. It can manifest itself as the urge to seek approval from others or fit in within a group. Social anxiety is something extremely challenging to break away from because one has to confront their struggles and face their fears head-on. This affected U.S. Marine Corps Cpl.

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Photo by Cpl. Lance KelL - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Tyler Huggins, a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, poses for a photo at the Iron Works South pool at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 9, 2022. Huggins began swimming at 5 years old, and continues to use the skills he’s learned throughout his life to train and prepare Marines as proficient amphibious warfighters. Upon certification, MCIWS are responsible for overseeing water training, swim qualification courses, and developing service members throughout the entire Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lance Kell)

US Marine dedicates life-long commitment preparing service members in water survival

In the summer of 2006 in Evans, Georgia, a 5-year-old boy struggled to stay above water in the deep end of a pool and called out for help. That day the lifeguard on duty was Tyler Huggins. It was his first year as a lifeguard and one of the most pivotal moments in his life.“I quickly responded and retrieved the boy and brought him back to the

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Photo by Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor - U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr. Ramy Teriak, the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, logistics officer, poses for a photo at the installation’s harbor Oct. 27, 2022. Teriak’s role as the installation’s logistics officer heavily involves operations at the air station’s harbor, which is uniquely designed to have direct access to a flightline. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor)

Faces of Iwakuni, Lt. Cdr. Ramy Teriak

It was a stormy night for an undesignated Seaman watching the rear of the ship. He was tasked with ensuring that there were no other vessels were nearby as the waves crashed, rocking the ship and his body from side to side. “I’m going to die,” he thought to himself as he braved the storm that night.Today, U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ramy F. Teriak, the

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Photo by Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen - Christopher Hamilton, left, a logistics specialist, and Fuyuko Yoneshige, the lead fire inspector of the fire department, go over a fire inspection checklist at Fire Station 1, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 29, 2022. The fire department safeguards property and personnel from emergency situations by providing all-hazard response services. To increase the community’s knowledge on fire prevention and education, the fire station hosts open houses and teaches classes throughout the year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen)

More than a job: Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Fire Department dedicates to serving community

“I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and

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Photo by Cpl. Mitchell Austin - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nahla Beard, an Air Traffic Controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, attempts a Guinness world record at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, August 7, 2021. Cpl. Beard won the Guinness world record for most chest-to-ground burpees in one minute. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mitchell Austin)

US Marine air traffic controller achieves Guinness World Record at MCAS Iwakuni

“Don’t let your accomplishments define you. If you let one define you, then you will become that very thing forever. Always keep climbing for more.” - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nahla Beard.Beard has been stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan since 2019. Beard is of Iranian descent; her parents emigrated from Iran to the U.S. when they

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Courtesy photo by U.S. Marine Cpl. Kealey Dent - Then, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kealey Dent stands at attention representing her recruit training platoon during a graduation ceremony Dec.11, 2020. Dent, a Gordon, Texas native, partook in the rodeo lifestyle throughout her childhood until she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in summer of 2020. Dent, now a corporal, currently serves as MAG 12’s Single Marine Program president and noncommissioned officer association vice president, where she advocates for her unit's Marines’ needs and concerns. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Marine Cpl. Kealey Dent)

Spiritual, Mental, and Physical Resilience: U.S. Marine leaves rodeo life for Marine career

In the farm lands of Gordon, Texas, there is a family that has dedicated their life to the rodeo. They spend much of their time preparing for events like bull riding, team roping, and breakaway roping to compete around the nation. Kealey Dent grew up in this family. She trained with her family and put her best foot forward in all she did. When she

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Photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz - Former Matthew C. Perry High School head football coach, Frank A. Macias, stands on the football field of M.C. Perry high school at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, September 7, 2022. Frank Macias was the head football coach at M.C. Perry high school from 2011 to August of 2022, and is now preparing to transfer to Port Campbell, Kentucky. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

Faces of MCIPAC Frank Macias

“Win the day. To me that sums up everything. Be a better person every day, become a better athlete every day.” This is the motto of Matthew C. Perry High School Former Head Football coach Frank A. Macias - a motto that he tells his players constantly. It doesn’t matter if the difference is 100% or 1%, any form of improvement for his students is a

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