Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Jeffrey Carr, Matthew C. Perry High School assistant principal, narrates as the symphonic band plays “The Night Before Christmas” during the annual holiday celebration concert at the Sakura Assembly Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. The concert showcased various musical groups from M.C. Perry and brought base residents, students and staff from Suo-Oshima Municipal Elementary School, Waki Junior High School and Otake Municipal Ogata Junior High School together. To start the concert, the symphonic band played “Angels We Have Heard on High” to approximately 300 guests inside the theater. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - Jeffrey Carr, Matthew C. Perry High School assistant principal, narrates as the symphonic band plays “The Night Before Christmas” during the annual holiday celebration concert at the Sakura Assembly Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. The concert showcased various musical groups from M.C. Perry and brought base residents, students and staff from Suo-Oshima Municipal Elementary School, Waki Junior High School and Otake Municipal Ogata Junior High School together. To start the concert, the symphonic band played “Angels We Have Heard on High” to approximately 300 guests inside the theater. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Marines with Combat Logistics Company 36 inspect Santa’s sleigh before kicking off the annual 1.5k Jingle Bell Jog at the IronWorks Gym, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The Jingle Bell Jog is an event for service members and their families to show off their holiday spirit as they run through the station. Events like this help raise spirits and build camaraderie during the holiday season while most service members are away from their families. - Marines with Combat Logistics Company 36 inspect Santa’s sleigh before kicking off the annual 1.5k Jingle Bell Jog at the IronWorks Gym, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The Jingle Bell Jog is an event for service members and their families to show off their holiday spirit as they run through the station. Events like this help raise spirits and build camaraderie during the holiday season while most service members are away from their families.

A volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, hands out toys during a visit to a children’s home in Houfu, Japan, Dec. 23, 2014. The Marine Thrift Store hosted the visit after collecting toys during a toy drive and motorcycle rally earlier this year. The rally collected more than 300 toys to give to the children’s home. - A volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, hands out toys during a visit to a children’s home in Houfu, Japan, Dec. 23, 2014. The Marine Thrift Store hosted the visit after collecting toys during a toy drive and motorcycle rally earlier this year. The rally collected more than 300 toys to give to the children’s home.

Marines at the Mainside Postal Office aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, continue to push through the demanding overload of mail during the busiest time of the year. More than 700 pounds of mail are sent per day and 3,500 pounds of mail are received per day during the busy holiday season months of late November to mid-January. - Marines at the Mainside Postal Office aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, continue to push through the demanding overload of mail during the busiest time of the year. More than 700 pounds of mail are sent per day and 3,500 pounds of mail are received per day during the busy holiday season months of late November to mid-January.

Brenda Piper, an ornament class participant, presses a Kanji stamp on a tag as one of the final touches of her ornament during the ornament class, Dec. 5, 2013, at Building 655 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Piper said this crafting class was a good event for people who have little to no experience. - Brenda Piper, an ornament class participant, presses a Kanji stamp on a tag as one of the final touches of her ornament during the ornament class, Dec. 5, 2013, at Building 655 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Piper said this crafting class was a good event for people who have little to no experience.