Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

A Station Aircraft Rescue Firefighter works feverishly to save a mock victim during the mass casualty exercise here April 1. The mass casualty excercise was a test of emergency services aboard station in preparation for Friendship Day 2009. - A Station Aircraft Rescue Firefighter works feverishly to save a mock victim during the mass casualty exercise here April 1. The mass casualty excercise was a test of emergency services aboard station in preparation for Friendship Day 2009.

Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224 players defend their side of the court as an IYAOYAS player aims to score a point during a game April 1 for the Spring Intramural Basketball season at the IronWorks Gym. The score during half time was 21-17 with the IYAOYAS in the lead. - Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224 players defend their side of the court as an IYAOYAS player aims to score a point during a game April 1 for the Spring Intramural Basketball season at the IronWorks Gym. The score during half time was 21-17 with the IYAOYAS in the lead.

Miyajima Island has been renowned as a world cultural heritage site for its shrines, temples, unique culture and exquisite natural beauty. The island has hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and nature enthusiasts. The island is laden with waterfalls, lush forests, hidden shrines and view-points that make it a prime getaway for service members and residents here. - Miyajima Island has been renowned as a world cultural heritage site for its shrines, temples, unique culture and exquisite natural beauty. The island has hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and nature enthusiasts. The island is laden with waterfalls, lush forests, hidden shrines and view-points that make it a prime getaway for service members and residents here.

Marines of Marine Air Control Squadron 4 hump three miles before starting their Warrior’s Mess Night to strengthen ties and unwind at a warehouse north of Penny Lake here April 3. One of the debatable rumors on how Warrior’s Mess Night started in the Marine Corps is with Marines stationed in China during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. - Marines of Marine Air Control Squadron 4 hump three miles before starting their Warrior’s Mess Night to strengthen ties and unwind at a warehouse north of Penny Lake here April 3. One of the debatable rumors on how Warrior’s Mess Night started in the Marine Corps is with Marines stationed in China during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.

Officers of the newly founded Safety Patrol Iwakuni look on during the opening ceremony of Iwakuni’s new police substation, Kowashima Koban, near four corners in Iwakuni April 3. The safety patrol was designed to improve communication between base personnel and local nationals. - Officers of the newly founded Safety Patrol Iwakuni look on during the opening ceremony of Iwakuni’s new police substation, Kowashima Koban, near four corners in Iwakuni April 3. The safety patrol was designed to improve communication between base personnel and local nationals.

A player (right) of the Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 Vikings runs the ball up the court while trying to keep the lead in the second half of the game. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Hand Selected ended up winning the game 33-30. The 2009 Intramural Basketball season continues until April 22. - A player (right) of the Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 Vikings runs the ball up the court while trying to keep the lead in the second half of the game. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Hand Selected ended up winning the game 33-30. The 2009 Intramural Basketball season continues until April 22.

Lord Susano impales one of the four fire-breathing heads of the Yamata no-Orochi, literally eight-headed snake, during a rendition "Yamato no Orochi" during the Japanese Culture Festival at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School here Sunday. - Lord Susano impales one of the four fire-breathing heads of the Yamata no-Orochi, literally eight-headed snake, during a rendition "Yamato no Orochi" during the Japanese Culture Festival at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School here Sunday.

Cpl. Eric McIntyre, a ground supply property noncommissioned-officer-in-charge with Marine Aircraft Group 12 and creator of Connecwork.com, holds a sign with Richard Bosson, an overseas English teacher at Boonwattana secondary school, announcing the official commencment of the new networking website, Connecwork.com during a visit to Boonwattana secondary school in Korat, Thailand March 18. Connecwork.com is an educational social networking website originally created to keep the students of Boonwattana secondary school connected with American service members around the world. - Cpl. Eric McIntyre, a ground supply property noncommissioned-officer-in-charge with Marine Aircraft Group 12 and creator of Connecwork.com, holds a sign with Richard Bosson, an overseas English teacher at Boonwattana secondary school, announcing the official commencment of the new networking website, Connecwork.com during a visit to Boonwattana secondary school in Korat, Thailand March 18. Connecwork.com is an educational social networking website originally created to keep the students of Boonwattana secondary school connected with American service members around the world.

Children play on the playground at the Matthew C. Perry Elementary School here March 6. Since 1986, military commands and communities have taken April, Month of the Military Child, as an opportunity to recognize the importance and sacrifices military children make for the mission. - Children play on the playground at the Matthew C. Perry Elementary School here March 6. Since 1986, military commands and communities have taken April, Month of the Military Child, as an opportunity to recognize the importance and sacrifices military children make for the mission.