MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- General Michael Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. Alford McMichael, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, visited Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni April 12 to mark Hagee's first visit as Commandant, and likely McMichael's last visit as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
The purpose of the visit was to have the highest-ranking officer and enlisted Marine observe the Station's excellent quality of life, according to Col. Dave Darrah, Station commanding officer.
The Commandant attended a luncheon with the Station's unit's top officers to discuss current world events involving the Marine Corps, as well as current events happening within the Corps.
During the luncheon the Commandant touched on topics such as Stop Loss and Stop Move, and Marine Corps involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom where he noted, "...the Marines are doing absolutely magnificent."
After the luncheon the Commandant got the opportunity to tour the Station and see some of its facilities and new projects.
"The Commandant was very impressed with the Station, its facilities and the quality of life," said Darrah. "He was very pleased to see that the Station is living up to its name and that the Marines and Sailors here are getting taken care of."
Sgt. Maj. McMichael was on a journey similar to the Commandants, first having lunch with sergeants major and master gunnery sergeants aboard the Station, and then visiting Marines at various locations aboard the Station.
"Sergeant Maj. McMichael was very pleased with the cleanliness of the Station, the manner of the Marines and the quality of the Single Marine Program and Distance Learning Center," said Sgt. Maj. David Allison, Station sergeant major. "He would really like to see the Marines here start using the DLC more to start preparing for the excellent education changes that are going to happen in the Corps."
That evening, Sgt. Maj. McMichael also held an all ranks social at the Landing Zone, as well as a staff noncommissioned officer function.
"Overall the Commandant and sergeant major were very please with the Station, and they would like to come back when they can stay longer and spend more time interacting with the Marines," said Darrah.