Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

A U.S. Sailor rings a bell as the guest's of honor enter the banquest hall during the U.S. Navy ball, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, October 15, 2010. Sailors gathered for the 235th birthday ball of the U.S. Navy to celebrate the Navy's traditions and history. - A U.S. Sailor rings a bell as the guest's of honor enter the banquest hall during the U.S. Navy ball, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, October 15, 2010. Sailors gathered for the 235th birthday ball of the U.S. Navy to celebrate the Navy's traditions and history.

Debby Jean, self-defense class participant, practices performing a knee strike at a self-defense class at IronWorks Gym here Oct. 9. Marines and civilians coordinated a self-defense class in light of Domestic Violence Awareness month. - Debby Jean, self-defense class participant, practices performing a knee strike at a self-defense class at IronWorks Gym here Oct. 9. Marines and civilians coordinated a self-defense class in light of Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Cpl. William Higgins, fixed-wing airframes aircraft mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, overlooks flight surfaces on an F/A-18 Hornet jet during a phase Bravo inspection here Oct. 5. A Bravo inspection requires multiple electrical and mechanical components to be taken apart, undone and then re-installed. Inspections must be done on an aircraft every time it accumulates 200 flying hours. - Cpl. William Higgins, fixed-wing airframes aircraft mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, overlooks flight surfaces on an F/A-18 Hornet jet during a phase Bravo inspection here Oct. 5. A Bravo inspection requires multiple electrical and mechanical components to be taken apart, undone and then re-installed. Inspections must be done on an aircraft every time it accumulates 200 flying hours.

The Acoustics perform for the first time onstage at this year’s Rocktober Festival in the Club Iwakuni Ballroom Oct. 8. Armed with two guitars and a trash can, the band beat its way through several covers and a series of original pieces. The Acoustics name did not appear on the event’s flyer due to thefact they did not choose a name until halfway through their set. - The Acoustics perform for the first time onstage at this year’s Rocktober Festival in the Club Iwakuni Ballroom Oct. 8. Armed with two guitars and a trash can, the band beat its way through several covers and a series of original pieces. The Acoustics name did not appear on the event’s flyer due to thefact they did not choose a name until halfway through their set.

From left to right, Eiji Hirata, vice president of Nishimatsu Construction Company, Cmdr. Jason Zeda, resident officer-in charge of construction, Lt. Pil Park, assistant resident officer in-charge of construction, and Kirby Franklin, base housing directer, pose for a photo during the groundbreaking ceremony for the renovations to Buildings 1191 and 1200 here Oct. 5. - From left to right, Eiji Hirata, vice president of Nishimatsu Construction Company, Cmdr. Jason Zeda, resident officer-in charge of construction, Lt. Pil Park, assistant resident officer in-charge of construction, and Kirby Franklin, base housing directer, pose for a photo during the groundbreaking ceremony for the renovations to Buildings 1191 and 1200 here Oct. 5.

Jordan Kroell, player for Team IDK, smashes the volleyball down as Kazutoshi Sayamoto and Kouichi Nakatawa, players for the Merry’s, jump in an attempt to defend their side of the net at the five-on-five volleyball tournament hosted at the IronWorks Gym Sunday. The Merry’s were champions of the tournament after fiercely battling against Team IDK in three close matches. - Jordan Kroell, player for Team IDK, smashes the volleyball down as Kazutoshi Sayamoto and Kouichi Nakatawa, players for the Merry’s, jump in an attempt to defend their side of the net at the five-on-five volleyball tournament hosted at the IronWorks Gym Sunday. The Merry’s were champions of the tournament after fiercely battling against Team IDK in three close matches.

Taeko Yoshioka, air operations technical information specialist, is honored in an awards ceremony Sept. 19 for the 30 years and 8 months of service she has done for the station. Yoshioka was revered for the way she was able to communicate with both the Japanese and Americans. - Taeko Yoshioka, air operations technical information specialist, is honored in an awards ceremony Sept. 19 for the 30 years and 8 months of service she has done for the station. Yoshioka was revered for the way she was able to communicate with both the Japanese and Americans.

Masashi Muranaka, Japanese construction worker, attaches a line around one of the old in-ground hydraulic lifts and attaches it to a forklift during the construction of the new more efficient above-ground hydraulic lifts in the Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 motor transportation garage here Sept. 21. After removing the old in-ground lifts, the workers filled the space with concrete to install the new lifts. - Masashi Muranaka, Japanese construction worker, attaches a line around one of the old in-ground hydraulic lifts and attaches it to a forklift during the construction of the new more efficient above-ground hydraulic lifts in the Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 motor transportation garage here Sept. 21. After removing the old in-ground lifts, the workers filled the space with concrete to install the new lifts.