Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Station residents and retirees gathered inside Club Iwakuni aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, for a retirement ceremony June 25, 2014. At the ceremony, only 15 retirees attended to receive certificates of appreciation, but in total the ceremony honored 39 retirees coming from a variety of departments within the station. This ceremony is held annually to honor all of the Japanese contractors retiring within the year and to show the station’s appreciation for their faithful service. - Station residents and retirees gathered inside Club Iwakuni aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, for a retirement ceremony June 25, 2014. At the ceremony, only 15 retirees attended to receive certificates of appreciation, but in total the ceremony honored 39 retirees coming from a variety of departments within the station. This ceremony is held annually to honor all of the Japanese contractors retiring within the year and to show the station’s appreciation for their faithful service.

Thomas Cooper, a Network Operations Lead Mid with S-6, Tomoko Tengyoku, Cooper’s wife and a Japanese contractor, and Kyozo Kawamoto, a Master Labor Contract employee with the Army Corps of Engineeers, received an Appreciation Award from the director of the Iwakuni Police Station. The award translates as follows: "You cooperated with the people at Muronoki-cho, Iwakuni City, on November 23, 2014 to beat off a wild boar, which attacked a Japanese male and saved his life. We hereby show our gratitude on your action." - Thomas Cooper, a Network Operations Lead Mid with S-6, Tomoko Tengyoku, Cooper’s wife and a Japanese contractor, and Kyozo Kawamoto, a Master Labor Contract employee with the Army Corps of Engineeers, received an Appreciation Award from the director of the Iwakuni Police Station. The award translates as follows: "You cooperated with the people at Muronoki-cho, Iwakuni City, on November 23, 2014 to beat off a wild boar, which attacked a Japanese male and saved his life. We hereby show our gratitude on your action."

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.

Provost Marshal’s Office Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force troops conducted riot control training in addition to capturing and detaining intruders during Exercise Keen Sword aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 18, 2014. Keen Sword is a routine force protection exercise designed to strengthen the relationship and interoperability between the air station and JGSDF forces. - Provost Marshal’s Office Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force troops conducted riot control training in addition to capturing and detaining intruders during Exercise Keen Sword aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 18, 2014. Keen Sword is a routine force protection exercise designed to strengthen the relationship and interoperability between the air station and JGSDF forces.

Pfc. Brandon Messina, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, carries a bag of trash past a “no littering” sign during a river cleanup, sponsored by the Single Marine Program, in Asakita-ku, Hiroshima, Sept. 5, 2014. This was the first cleanup the SMP conducted in Hiroshima recently. - Pfc. Brandon Messina, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, carries a bag of trash past a “no littering” sign during a river cleanup, sponsored by the Single Marine Program, in Asakita-ku, Hiroshima, Sept. 5, 2014. This was the first cleanup the SMP conducted in Hiroshima recently.

Col. Robert Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, commanding officer, and Missie Hamano, a retiring Japanese employee, cut a cake during a retirement ceremony for Master Labor Contract and Independent Hire Agreement employees that took place in the Landing Zone inside Club Iwakuni Aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 25, 2014. - Col. Robert Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, commanding officer, and Missie Hamano, a retiring Japanese employee, cut a cake during a retirement ceremony for Master Labor Contract and Independent Hire Agreement employees that took place in the Landing Zone inside Club Iwakuni Aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 25, 2014.

Danielle Piper, 12, swims in a 50-meter back stroke race at a swim meet at the IronWorks Gym indoor pool aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 23, 2014. The meet allowed American and Japanese kids to compete against each other in a fun environment. - Danielle Piper, 12, swims in a 50-meter back stroke race at a swim meet at the IronWorks Gym indoor pool aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 23, 2014. The meet allowed American and Japanese kids to compete against each other in a fun environment.

Cameramen from Japanese media outlets record part of the relocation process during a tour aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 14, 2014. - Cameramen from Japanese media outlets record part of the relocation process during a tour aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 14, 2014.

Fred Waring, station resident, passes out candy to the trick-or-treaters roaming the streets of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during the Halloween Festival Oct. 31, 2013. A total of 302 visitors came aboard station to partake in the festivities; 139 were adults. - Fred Waring, station resident, passes out candy to the trick-or-treaters roaming the streets of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during the Halloween Festival Oct. 31, 2013. A total of 302 visitors came aboard station to partake in the festivities; 139 were adults.

A competitor starts the one-kilometer swim at the marina during the Japanese and American Goodwill Modified Triathlon aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 22, 2013. According to Mai Tajima, SemperFit recreation specialist, this year marks the highest number of participants in the triathlon. - A competitor starts the one-kilometer swim at the marina during the Japanese and American Goodwill Modified Triathlon aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 22, 2013. According to Mai Tajima, SemperFit recreation specialist, this year marks the highest number of participants in the triathlon.