Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

JMSDF, MCAS Iwakuni take Friendship Day 2019 to new altitudes - Japanese guests view various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft during the 43rd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2019. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an exciting experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft, aerial performances, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Timothy Valero)

MALS-12 conducts its own Lance Corporal Seminar - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Connor Gyenis, an aviation supply specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 12, participates in a physical training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 26, 2019. MALS-12 conducted its first Lance Corporal Leadership and Ethics Seminar on the air station March 25-29. The role of Lance Corporal Seminar is to help develop lance corporals into ethical and moral leaders. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

From basic utilities to religion: how Marines live in harsh environments - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 set up tents during Exercise Eagle Wrath 18 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 21, 2018. Eagle Wrath 18 is an annual training exercise designed to increase squadron proficiency in a forward operating environment, test forward command and control structure, and practice for real-world contingency missions. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Seth Rosenberg)

MAG-12 runs their battle colors in support of 1st MAW's 242-mile run - U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12 take part in the 1st Marine Air Wing’s Marine Corps birthday 242-mile run at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 7, 2017. The Marines participated in the event by running in two mile increments to reach their goal of 48.4 miles as part of the total 242 miles collectively run by multiple units with the 1st MAW in honor of the Marine Corps’ 242nd birthday. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

MAG-12 secures the 2017 Fall Classic football game - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Walter Williams, a wide receiver for Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12, runs the football at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 15, 2017, during the 26th annual 2017 Fall Classic football game. The game was set up to increase unit camaraderie and competitiveness across the air station. Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (H&HS) looked as if they were going to “take the cake” this year, intercepting the ball once and scoring two touchdowns, but H&HS began to slip up as the game progressed to the second half, throwing two interceptions for major turnovers. MAG-12 defeated H&HS 43-22. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 12 perform pull ups at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 21, 2017. The USO hosted a field meet and cookout for MALS-12, which included several competitions such as grappling, pull-ups and a Humvee pull. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo) - U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 12 perform pull ups at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 21, 2017. The USO hosted a field meet and cookout for MALS-12, which included several competitions such as grappling, pull-ups and a Humvee pull. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael M. Rasmussen, assistant operations chief with Marine Air Group (MAG) 12, shows Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation students an F/A-18C Hornet during a Junior Officer Exchange Program visit at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 21, 2017. Students came from Ozuki Air Base to learn about MAG-12 and the F/A-18. They familiarized themselves with the aircraft during the visit by taking part in a flight simulator and by visiting a static display. Hosting the cadets helps them understand the relationship Japan holds with U.S. Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael M. Rasmussen, assistant operations chief with Marine Air Group (MAG) 12, shows Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation students an F/A-18C Hornet during a Junior Officer Exchange Program visit at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 21, 2017. Students came from Ozuki Air Base to learn about MAG-12 and the F/A-18. They familiarized themselves with the aircraft during the visit by taking part in a flight simulator and by visiting a static display. Hosting the cadets helps them understand the relationship Japan holds with U.S. Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeffery Aceti, left, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, assists Cosme Rosete, a Junior Recruit Day participant, with the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer’s M2 .50 caliber heavy-machine gun during Marine Aircraft Group 12’s Junior Recruit Day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 21, 2017. The purpose of Junior Recruit Day is to increase family readiness in the community by showing children and young adults what their parents do on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Mason Roy) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeffery Aceti, left, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, assists Cosme Rosete, a Junior Recruit Day participant, with the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer’s M2 .50 caliber heavy-machine gun during Marine Aircraft Group 12’s Junior Recruit Day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 21, 2017. The purpose of Junior Recruit Day is to increase family readiness in the community by showing children and young adults what their parents do on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Mason Roy)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Donald Shrewsbury, a KC-130J Hercules representative with Marine Aviation Training System Site Iwakuni, directs a Japan Air Self-Defense Force aviation cadet with the 12th Flight Training Wing from JASDF Hōfu-kita Air Base while flying a KC-130J simulator during a Junior officer engagement program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19, 2016. The engagement program aims to enhance the understanding and working relationships between U.S. and Japanese pilots. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Donald Shrewsbury, a KC-130J Hercules representative with Marine Aviation Training System Site Iwakuni, directs a Japan Air Self-Defense Force aviation cadet with the 12th Flight Training Wing from JASDF Hōfu-kita Air Base while flying a KC-130J simulator during a Junior officer engagement program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19, 2016. The engagement program aims to enhance the understanding and working relationships between U.S. and Japanese pilots. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Lance Cpl. Nick Cox, a powerliner assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 242 performs maintenance on an F/A-18D Hornet after a flight mission during Exercise Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 18, 2016. Powerliners, airframes mechanics, communication navigation and ordnance technicians, work around the clock to ensure flight schedules are met for aviation operations during the exercise. During this U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise, F/A-18D Hornets flew in a plethora of missions that emphasize joint integration, interoperability and expeditionary readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada) - Lance Cpl. Nick Cox, a powerliner assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 242 performs maintenance on an F/A-18D Hornet after a flight mission during Exercise Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 18, 2016. Powerliners, airframes mechanics, communication navigation and ordnance technicians, work around the clock to ensure flight schedules are met for aviation operations during the exercise. During this U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise, F/A-18D Hornets flew in a plethora of missions that emphasize joint integration, interoperability and expeditionary readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada)