News Stories

Photo by Cpl. Peter Rawlins - U.S. Marine Corps Brian Bolin, a combat photographer with Armed Forces Network Iwakuni, Defense Media Activity, broadcasts music on-air at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 7, 2023. AFN Iwakuni broadcasts news, music, and informational commercials to entertain and inform the community about events happening on base and more (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Peter Rawlins).

Tuning in to AFN

From turning on the radio in the morning and hearing “serving America's best!” to seeing a commercial on TV or opening your phone, the American Forces Network (AFN), is everywhere you go.AFN supports numerous individuals and organizations at the installation with photo, video, and radio coverage to produce entertaining and informative products and

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Courtesy photo - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Robert Navarro, poses for a photo. (Courtesy photo)

From Struggle to Strength: Gunnery Sgt. Robert Navarro’s Journey from Challenging Upbringing to Leadership at MCAS Iwakuni

“Every day you should come into work and try to be better than you were yesterday. If you get off work and you’re not exhausted, you didn’t give it your best. Every day is an opportunity to get better, smarter, faster, and stronger. Don’t waste it,” said Gunnery Sgt. Robert Navarro, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of S-3, Headquarters

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Photo by Cpl. Calah Thompson - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zachariah Kern, right, a freight transportation clerk with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, oversees cargo distribution documents at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, June 15, 2023. Transportation specialists coordinate, monitor, and control the movement of equipment and cargo to, from, and across the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Calah Thompson)

If It Can Be Shipped, It Will Be Shipped; MCAS Iwakuni Unit Feature on the Distribution Management Office

Flying high above the clouds, looking down on shimmering waters and small islands scattered around a larger land mass; passengers headed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni get their first glance of Japan.Almost all Department of Defense personnel traveling to MCAS Iwakuni arrive through the Air Mobility Command terminal on base, where they are

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Photo by Cpl. Raymond Tong - Renee Cobb the principal Matthew C. Perry High School hugs a member of the graduating class during a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 21, 2023. Biden visited MCAS Iwakuni as part of the Joining Forces initiative which focuses on supporting veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Raymond Tong)

Faces of Iwakuni, Latressa Renée Cobb

When one reminisces about childhood memories of long school days and short recesses, days where they not only learned basic math and science, but also who they are as a person. Days in school are vital to many kids' development into a mature adult, and they can help give someone higher chances of success in the future. Many people can pinpoint a

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Photo by Sgt. Mitchell Austin - Robert Butterworth, a training specialist at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Provost Marshals Office at poses for a photo at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Apr. 21, 2023. A native of Davenport Iowa, Butterworth joined the Army National Guard after seeing how 9/11 changed the world and wanted to make a difference. After completing his tour with the National Guard, he looked for new direction where he found a passion teaching and training military police. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Mitchell Austin)

It’s all about passion; Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Provost Marshals Office Training Specialist recounts finding a job that feels tailor made for him

"Things that some people would consider going above and beyond, are just part of the fun for me!"For Robert Butterworth, it's more than just a job, his work is an overall more rewarding experience. "I get to schedule large scale exercises in the morning and then in the afternoon I get to OC spray and taser some Marines; Just scream and yell and

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Photo by Staff Sergeant. Jessika Braden - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jayden Watson, a future operations noncommissioned officer with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), gives a presentation at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 15, 2023. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Watson joined the Marine Corps in 2019 to make headway toward a safe and healthy lifestyle and provide for his three younger siblings. Despite facing adversity throughout his career, Watson has contributed to the success of Marines on the installation by serving as a combat marksmanship coach, an accredited Lean Six Sigma Instructor, and an adversity recovery mentor. (Courtesy photo by Staff Sergeant. Jessika Braden)

The only way is forward: US Marine overcomes adversity to give to family, community

“Your story is not about the beginning, your story is about the whole picture, people will keep reading even after hearing all the bad stuff that you've done.” This is what a U.S. Marine Corps recruiter told Jayden Watson upon meeting him at a crossroads in his life when he was not sure if he would live or die on any given day in the winter of

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photo by Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor - U.S. Army Sgt. Monica Laverdure (right), an Animal Care Specialist with Public Health Activity (PHA) Japan, Iwakuni Branch, and U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sierra Parks, a military working-dog handler assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Provost Marshal’s Office (PMO), discuss a military-working dog’s health at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 4, 2023. Laverdure, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of the few Soldiers stationed on MCAS Iwakuni’s veterinary treatment facility where she works to keep both military working dogs and personal pets on the air station healthy and active. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor)

Canine’s Best Friend: U.S. Army Soldier embraces job as Animal Care Specialist on MCAS Iwakuni

On MCAS Iwakuni, Animal Care Specialists such U.S. Army Sgt. Monica Laverdure has been keeping animals healthy and active at the Iwakuni Veterinary Treatment facility. With her experiences in many stressful situations involving the health of animals and her enthusiasm while on the job, Laverdure has become a model caretaker to her clients and an

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Photo by Cpl. Isaac Orozco - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Sucik, an Engineman with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, steers a utility boat at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 19, 2022. Sucik, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, joined the Navy in 2020 and has since become MCAS Iwakuni’s H&HS Blue Jacket of the Year for 2022, as well as a part-time musician who performs his music at different venues. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Orozco)

Adaptability is key: U.S. Navy engineer reflects on upbringing, self-interests, career

“Life’s all about finding a meaning in the job you do, the work you do, the hobbies you do. If you’re not trying to find a meaning then I would ask, why are you doing what you are doing?” This is what U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Christian Sucik said to himself during a tumultuous time in his life as a teenager. At this point in his

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Photo by Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen - Christopher Hamilton, left, a logistics specialist, and Fuyuko Yoneshige, the lead fire inspector of the fire department, go over a fire inspection checklist at Fire Station 1, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 29, 2022. The fire department safeguards property and personnel from emergency situations by providing all-hazard response services. To increase the community’s knowledge on fire prevention and education, the fire station hosts open houses and teaches classes throughout the year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen)

More than a job: Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Fire Department dedicates to serving community

“I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and

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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)

US Marine air traffic controller achieves Guinness World Record at MCAS Iwakuni

“Don’t let your accomplishments define you. If you let one define you, then you will become that very thing forever. Always keep climbing for more.” - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nahla Beard.Beard has been stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan since 2019. Beard is of Iranian descent; her parents emigrated from Iran to the U.S. when they

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