MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- U.S. Marines and sailors from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni ran with local Japanese residents during the Iwakuni Friendship Relay Marathon in Iwakuni City, Japan, March 18, 2018.
The marathon relay was a family-friendly event open to all ages. Many teams wore themed costumes from popular films, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and friendly competition.
Japanese and American teams of varying sizes ran 1.3 kilometer laps for four hours through the Kizuna Stadium complex. The word kizuna means bond. Events like this strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Japan, which is what the stadium represents.
“This is why this stadium was built in the first place,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jason R. Cain, sergeant major of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “It was to get both countries’ people together as one community.”
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Tatsuya Futakawa, commanding officer of Fleet Air Wing 31, invited U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, and other senior ranking leadership from the air station to run with JMSDF as a joint team.
“It made sense to make a team together and show the community that both the Japanese and Americans are one team here on the air station,” said Cain.
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert Vuolo, operations officer of MCAS Iwakuni, Col. Mark Palmer, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 12, Lt. Col. John Harris, executive officer of MCAS Iwakuni, Maj. Joseph Grimm, staff judge advocate with H&HS, Lt. Col. Kevin A. Campbell, commanding officer of H&HS, and Cain, were all part of the joint team.
Keizo Hirata, an Iwakuni resident and a volunteer at the event, said that the friendship event was more fun than a normal event and that he hopes more friendship events can happen at Kizuna Stadium.
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