Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, stationed load onto Marine Wing Support Squadron 171’s MK-31 tractor/extended bed during Exercise Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Aibano, Japan, Sept. 8, 2015. MWSS-171 is supporting Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 and 1st Battalion 2nd Marines during this exercise using their communications, motor transport and refueling capabilities. - Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, stationed load onto Marine Wing Support Squadron 171’s MK-31 tractor/extended bed during Exercise Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Aibano, Japan, Sept. 8, 2015. MWSS-171 is supporting Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 and 1st Battalion 2nd Marines during this exercise using their communications, motor transport and refueling capabilities.

Marine Attack Squadron 311, the “Tomcats,” arrived aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015, in support of the unit deployment program. The squadron’s presence at MCAS Iwakuni allows the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Aircraft Group 12 to have amphibious fixed-winged capabilities. - Marine Attack Squadron 311, the “Tomcats,” arrived aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015, in support of the unit deployment program. The squadron’s presence at MCAS Iwakuni allows the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Aircraft Group 12 to have amphibious fixed-winged capabilities.

Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron hosted the 2015 Jane Wayne Day, May 16, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Jane Wayne Day provides spouses and family members of Marines and sailors with the opportunity to get a taste of Marine Corps training and experience a day in the life of a Marine. - Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron hosted the 2015 Jane Wayne Day, May 16, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Jane Wayne Day provides spouses and family members of Marines and sailors with the opportunity to get a taste of Marine Corps training and experience a day in the life of a Marine.

Service members with MALS-12 arrive to begin cleaning up Tsuzu Beach during a community relations event conducted by the Marine Aircraft Group 12 Chaplain's Office aboadr Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni,Japan, March 13, 2015. Community relations events serve as an important tool in strengthening the bond between the U.S. and Japan. Major entities aboard station that conduct regular community relations events include the Marine Memorial Chapel, MAG-12 Chaplain's Office and the Single Marine Program. - Service members with MALS-12 arrive to begin cleaning up Tsuzu Beach during a community relations event conducted by the Marine Aircraft Group 12 Chaplain's Office aboadr Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni,Japan, March 13, 2015. Community relations events serve as an important tool in strengthening the bond between the U.S. and Japan. Major entities aboard station that conduct regular community relations events include the Marine Memorial Chapel, MAG-12 Chaplain's Office and the Single Marine Program.

Cpl. Ruben Salinas, a resident Marine Air Ground Task Force planner for Marine Aircraft Group 12 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, shakes hands with a young child after receiving a handmade Christmas ornament while visiting the Akebono Orphanage in Nasake Sima, Yamaguti, Dec. 23, 2014. As a part of giving back to the Japanese locals, MAG-12 Marines collected 777 cans of food from their unit holiday party to distribute to those in need. - Cpl. Ruben Salinas, a resident Marine Air Ground Task Force planner for Marine Aircraft Group 12 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, shakes hands with a young child after receiving a handmade Christmas ornament while visiting the Akebono Orphanage in Nasake Sima, Yamaguti, Dec. 23, 2014. As a part of giving back to the Japanese locals, MAG-12 Marines collected 777 cans of food from their unit holiday party to distribute to those in need.

Lt. Col. James Whiteker, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 commanding officer, expresses his appreciation for Cpl. Tyler L. Saffore, a bulk fuel specialist with MWSS-171, after presenting him with the Bulk Fuel Specialist of the Year award, Dec. 3, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Station Iwakuni, Japan. Saffore won the award for his strong work ethic, initiative and superior performance. - Lt. Col. James Whiteker, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 commanding officer, expresses his appreciation for Cpl. Tyler L. Saffore, a bulk fuel specialist with MWSS-171, after presenting him with the Bulk Fuel Specialist of the Year award, Dec. 3, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Station Iwakuni, Japan. Saffore won the award for his strong work ethic, initiative and superior performance.

Service members with Marine Aircraft Group 12 run the 239th mile of their Marine Corps Birthday Run, Nov. 7, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Throughout the week, service members took turns running a mile on the seawall with the MAG-12 guideon. - Service members with Marine Aircraft Group 12 run the 239th mile of their Marine Corps Birthday Run, Nov. 7, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Throughout the week, service members took turns running a mile on the seawall with the MAG-12 guideon.

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 completed the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 25 2014, when their F/A-18 Hornets flew out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program increased combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improved its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhanced joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focused on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets included, but weren’t limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. - Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 completed the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 25 2014, when their F/A-18 Hornets flew out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program increased combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improved its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhanced joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focused on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets included, but weren’t limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.

Gunnery Sgt. Osvaldo Rincon, powerline division chief with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, guides an F-18/A Hornet aboard Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to participate in the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 9, 2014, to increase the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improve its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhance joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focuses on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting units include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. - Gunnery Sgt. Osvaldo Rincon, powerline division chief with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, guides an F-18/A Hornet aboard Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to participate in the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 9, 2014, to increase the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improve its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhance joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focuses on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting units include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.