MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- All Marines and Sailors from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 were present at Penny Lake Athletic Field for the unit's Spring Field Meet April 2.
More than 720 Marauders, comprised of Marines and Sailors, swarmed the athletic field for a daylong, fun-filled event, according to Lt. Col. J. P. VanEtten, MALS-12 commanding officer.
"The purpose of the Spring Field Meet was to have a day with various sporting events designed to test their skills and have competitions among themselves and between MSQ-31 (Japan Maritime Self Defense Force's Maintenance and Supply Squadron 31)," added VanEtten.
The day started at 10 a.m. with flag football, softball, soccer, and volleyball games, all running simultaneously for four hours.
In between the games, the Marauders got their physical training with pull-ups, sit-ups, fireman carries and relay runs.
"Having everyone here and having all these fun activities represents what type of unit MALS-12 is," said VanEtten. "We try to have as many functions like this as much as we can. The last time it was MSQ-31 that invited us to one of their functions. This time we've invited them."
One of the commanding officer's intentions for the Spring Meet was to build camaraderie, not only between MALS-12 as a unit but also with MSQ-31.
"I think this is a good thing, having all these games between each other and against MSQ-31," said Lance Cpl. Robert F. Sosa, MALS-12 aviation technician. "Being away from the states and being here in Japan can get a bit boorish, especially for young and single Marines. But the Marauders are a great bunch of Marines, and it seems that everyone glows when we do these types of unit gatherings."
The highlight of the day was when the entire unit gathered around a mud pit in the field and commenced with a tug-of-war battle. All the Marauders were cheering each other on with laughter and excitement.
It was a good way to end the day, according to VanEtten. Everyone got involved, from the enlisted to officers to the Japanese military.
"It's these types of functions that really make me appreciate and remember what being a Marine is all about. There's unit cohesion and camaraderie. I like this," said Sosa.
This was the first gathering of what MALS-12 hopes to make a semiannual meet.