MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Hitomi Yamaguchi greeted her guests with a smile and a hug as they walked into a room filled with light, chattering and laughter.
Yamaguchi, a logistics-contractor specialist, celebrated 42 years of service at her retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 16, 2016.
Yamaguchi started working at the air station in 1974 and held four jobs during her time here. She was a stock-control clerk, voucher examiner, and an administrator specialist. However, she spent most her time as a logistics-contractor specialist.
“I think I was lucky,” said Yamaguchi. “All of my bosses were nice to me. I learned a lot from them. They gave me a lot of good advice and encouragement, and they helped me grow as a person.”
Yamaguchi influenced a lot of people during her time on base, many of which attended the ceremony to help honor her loyal service and reminisce on the past 42 years.
“It was always a great pleasure working with Hitomi Yamaguchi,” said Naoko Nitta, assistant purchase and contracting specialist and friend to Yamaguchi. “Though she is small, she was known as the ‘Big Man’ in our office. She knows a lot about contracting, making her a true treasure.”
Working on base presented Yamaguchi with chances to experience different things.
“A lot of things on the station were new to me,” said Yamaguchi. “I saw a Harrier aircraft on Friendship Day when I started working here. I thought it was interesting that I was able to see the aircraft before it was used by the Japanese. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Things were different to Yamaguchi when she started working here 42 years ago. She may not have known what to expect, but now she can share her experiences with people who may wonder about MCAS Iwakuni and what goes on around base.
“I didn’t know that jobs were available on MCAS Iwakuni,” said Yamaguchi. “When I started working here it gave me many opportunities to learn about my work and grow as a person. It was my greatest honor and pleasure to work here.”