Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Photo by Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen - U.S. Marine Corps chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense (CBRN) specialists assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, pose for a group photo on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 6, 2024. As CBRN Defense Specialists, Marines are trained to respond to and clear areas with possible CBRN hazards in addition to training units in general CBRN information, identification, and response. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen)

Photo by Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen - Jennifer Ayers, the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni aquatics director and a South Carolina native, poses for a portrait at the Marine Corps Community Services’ indoor pool on Sept. 5, 2024. Ayers and the MCAS Iwakuni aquatics team provide swim clinics and master classes, and train instructors with the goal to improve service members’ survival skills and increase their water confidence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen)

Photo by Cpl. Raymond Tong - An explosive charge detonates during ordnance training in preparation for Friendship Day 2023, at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 26, 2023. The MCAS Iwakuni Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been conducting various controlled explosions since December 2022 in preparation for Friendship Day 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Raymond Tong)

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)

Photo by Cpl. Mitchell Austin - A U.S. Marine posts security on an obstacle during a belt achievement event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 17. 2021. A belt achievement event is a series of obstacles and challenges that students must overcome, using teamwork and recently acquired knowledge, in order to receive their new belts from their instructors. MCMAP is designed to improve the warfighting capabilities of individual Marines and units, enhance Marines' esprit de corps, and foster the warrior ethos in the Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mitchell Austin)

Coordinating together guarantees mission success - U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 12 go through their processes and procedures before conducting a hot loading of MK-82 High Explosive General Purpose bombs on a U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet with Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, during hot-pit refuel and hot-load training at Naval Air Station Pohang, Republic of Korea, Dec. 12, 2017. The purpose of the exercise was to show that the Marines could effectively establish a forward arming and refueling point with supporting entities and conduct the training evolutions on foreign soil. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

MCWIS Marines carry on responsibilities of training America's amphibious fighting force - U.S Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Melisa Cancienne, a Marine Corps instructor of water survival and the squadron gunnery sergeant with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), observes Marines inflating a blouse during an intermediate swim qualification at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 16, 2017. Swim qualification is one of the different ways Marines maintain their annual training requirements. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic illustration by Sgt. N.W. Huertas)

VMGR-152 conducts nighttime aerial refueling with VMFA-121, VMFA-251 - An F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 based out of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, conducts a nighttime aerial refueling training operation with a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 based out of MCAS Iwakuni Oct. 25, 2017. The training was conducted at night to improve operational readiness and enhance pilot proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Conducts Patriot Advanced Capability-3 training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni - Service members with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) 2nd Air Defense Missile Group, set up the MIM-104 Patriot missile system during Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) deployment training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 29, 2017. PAC-3 is a surface-to-air missile defense system, which provides a highly reactive hit-to-kill capability in both range and altitude while operating in all environments. This training displays the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance and demonstrates the JASDF’s ability to rapidly deploy multiple defense assets to U.S. military installations across Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)