Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Lt. Col. Jonathan O. Gackle (left), Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 commanding officer, passes off the noncommissioned officer sword to Sgt. Maj. Drew C. Benson, oncoming MALS-12 seargent major, in a relief-and-appointment ceremony on the parade deck in front of Building 1 here Aug. 20. Benson succeeded Master Gunnery Sgt. Maurice Patterson. - Lt. Col. Jonathan O. Gackle (left), Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 commanding officer, passes off the noncommissioned officer sword to Sgt. Maj. Drew C. Benson, oncoming MALS-12 seargent major, in a relief-and-appointment ceremony on the parade deck in front of Building 1 here Aug. 20. Benson succeeded Master Gunnery Sgt. Maurice Patterson.

Lance Cpl. Jose Flores prepares an Italian pasta for the Chef of the Quarter Board at the Southside Mess Hall here August 20. Flores took home first place, allowing him the chance to compete for Chef of the Quarter Marine Corps Bases Japan in Okinawa. - Lance Cpl. Jose Flores prepares an Italian pasta for the Chef of the Quarter Board at the Southside Mess Hall here August 20. Flores took home first place, allowing him the chance to compete for Chef of the Quarter Marine Corps Bases Japan in Okinawa.

Morgan Nugent, new Matthew C. Perry High School principal, speaks to teachers during teacher orientation at M.C. Perry High School here Aug. 25. Nugent was chosen as new principal from amoung nearly 480 external applicants and an unknown number of internal applicants. - Morgan Nugent, new Matthew C. Perry High School principal, speaks to teachers during teacher orientation at M.C. Perry High School here Aug. 25. Nugent was chosen as new principal from amoung nearly 480 external applicants and an unknown number of internal applicants.

Yoko Mikami, the class instructor, shows her students a hand gesture they can use to politely deny a wrong order at a restaurant during the Japanese Survival Class in the Japanese American Society’s office here Aug. 20. To maintain a relaxed atmosphere, Mikami sits around the table with her students and allows them to talk and ask questions freely making it less like a class. - Yoko Mikami, the class instructor, shows her students a hand gesture they can use to politely deny a wrong order at a restaurant during the Japanese Survival Class in the Japanese American Society’s office here Aug. 20. To maintain a relaxed atmosphere, Mikami sits around the table with her students and allows them to talk and ask questions freely making it less like a class.

Iwakuni Marines pose for a picture with World War II veterans while visiting Gaudalcanal Aug. 6 during their islandhop trip. The Iwakuni Marines traveled to 10 islands across the Pacific to commemorate the 67th anniversary of Guadalcanal. - Iwakuni Marines pose for a picture with World War II veterans while visiting Gaudalcanal Aug. 6 during their islandhop trip. The Iwakuni Marines traveled to 10 islands across the Pacific to commemorate the 67th anniversary of Guadalcanal.

Ball Hogs players Sandy Domingo (left) and Nina Nuttall (right) check the standings in-between games during the 4-on-4 Volleyball Tournament held at IronWorks Gym here Saturday. - Ball Hogs players Sandy Domingo (left) and Nina Nuttall (right) check the standings in-between games during the 4-on-4 Volleyball Tournament held at IronWorks Gym here Saturday.

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s first baseman Chad E. Roach connects a shot to the outfield in the team’s first game during the first round of the Far East Regional Softball Tournament 2009 here Aug. 10. - Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s first baseman Chad E. Roach connects a shot to the outfield in the team’s first game during the first round of the Far East Regional Softball Tournament 2009 here Aug. 10.

The Iwakuni Fire Department welcomes as its newest member a $378,000 fire truck christened Kairyu, which translates to ocean dragon. Kairyu will be positioned at the station harbor here, making it the first response vehicle in the area after it is outfitted with specialized tools tailoring it for harbor disaster and water rescue missions. - The Iwakuni Fire Department welcomes as its newest member a $378,000 fire truck christened Kairyu, which translates to ocean dragon. Kairyu will be positioned at the station harbor here, making it the first response vehicle in the area after it is outfitted with specialized tools tailoring it for harbor disaster and water rescue missions.

Ken Kobayashi, a firefighter here, poses in front of equipment at the station fire department here. Kobayashi saved a gentleman from choking to death at the Mikawa Town Summer Festival Aug. 2. This was not the first time he has saved a life. During Kobayashi’s off time, he serves as a lifeguard at the station pools. - Ken Kobayashi, a firefighter here, poses in front of equipment at the station fire department here. Kobayashi saved a gentleman from choking to death at the Mikawa Town Summer Festival Aug. 2. This was not the first time he has saved a life. During Kobayashi’s off time, he serves as a lifeguard at the station pools.

A festival particpant clears the congested streets to make room for the oncoming parade at the annual Goldfish Lantern Festival in Yanai Aug.13. The festival is an annual event that includes a variety of food and activities for the crowd to enjoy. As night fell and the goldfish lanterns illuminated the streets, the throng of people eagerly awaited the fireworks planned at the end of the festival. - A festival particpant clears the congested streets to make room for the oncoming parade at the annual Goldfish Lantern Festival in Yanai Aug.13. The festival is an annual event that includes a variety of food and activities for the crowd to enjoy. As night fell and the goldfish lanterns illuminated the streets, the throng of people eagerly awaited the fireworks planned at the end of the festival.