Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

A feathered mask is displayed before the Mardi Gras celebration held at the Club Iwakuni ball room here Feb. 20. The club provided hip-hop and Latin music along with a live band that played until 11 p.m. - A feathered mask is displayed before the Mardi Gras celebration held at the Club Iwakuni ball room here Feb. 20. The club provided hip-hop and Latin music along with a live band that played until 11 p.m.

Runners huddle for a group photo in front of the sea wall here Feb. 19. Most of the runners bundled up for the chilly weather, while some braved the cold weather in shorts and a T-shirt. Nearly 30 people participated in the 5K run that was open to everyone on the station. Trophies provided by Marine Corps Community Services were awarded to the top three competitors in each of the five age/gender categories. - Runners huddle for a group photo in front of the sea wall here Feb. 19. Most of the runners bundled up for the chilly weather, while some braved the cold weather in shorts and a T-shirt. Nearly 30 people participated in the 5K run that was open to everyone on the station. Trophies provided by Marine Corps Community Services were awarded to the top three competitors in each of the five age/gender categories.

Station service members dance with the children of Marifu Hoikuen, a Kindergarten school in downtown Iwakuni, during a game designed to teach the children how to count in English, Feb. 18. When the music stopped, a number was yelled out and everyone needed to gather in groups with the number of people equaling the number that was called out. - Station service members dance with the children of Marifu Hoikuen, a Kindergarten school in downtown Iwakuni, during a game designed to teach the children how to count in English, Feb. 18. When the music stopped, a number was yelled out and everyone needed to gather in groups with the number of people equaling the number that was called out.

Kikuko Shinjo, caretaker at the Iwakuni Youth Hostel, shared laughs with the small class as she gave a brief history lesson about the Hina Dolls and their significance to Japanese culture Feb. 16. Most households annually display hina-ningyo, which are special dolls or sets of dolls staged upon a red-carpeted stand with five or seven steps, during the birth or celebration of a young girl. - Kikuko Shinjo, caretaker at the Iwakuni Youth Hostel, shared laughs with the small class as she gave a brief history lesson about the Hina Dolls and their significance to Japanese culture Feb. 16. Most households annually display hina-ningyo, which are special dolls or sets of dolls staged upon a red-carpeted stand with five or seven steps, during the birth or celebration of a young girl.

Volunteering community members walk through various stations set up during a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation exercise which took place at the Surface Division warehouse at the harbor facility here Feb. 11. The exercise tested the station’s ability to respond to a NEO contingency which required the safe and efficient evacuation of American civilians out of Iwakuni to a safer location. - Volunteering community members walk through various stations set up during a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation exercise which took place at the Surface Division warehouse at the harbor facility here Feb. 11. The exercise tested the station’s ability to respond to a NEO contingency which required the safe and efficient evacuation of American civilians out of Iwakuni to a safer location.

Petty Officer 3rd Class James Hopkins backswings before driving the ball down the fairway at The Longest Yard, the second Commander’s Cup Challenge event, at the Torii Pines Golf Course here Feb. 12. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron won first place followed by Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12. - Petty Officer 3rd Class James Hopkins backswings before driving the ball down the fairway at The Longest Yard, the second Commander’s Cup Challenge event, at the Torii Pines Golf Course here Feb. 12. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron won first place followed by Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12.

U.S. Marines, Korean and Thai service members work side-by side as they train on the firing range at Ban Chan Khrem, Thailand, Feb. 6 as part of Cobra Gold 2010. The exercise commenced Feb. 1 and is a regularly-scheduled joint/combined exercise in the series of U.S.– Thai military exercises. - U.S. Marines, Korean and Thai service members work side-by side as they train on the firing range at Ban Chan Khrem, Thailand, Feb. 6 as part of Cobra Gold 2010. The exercise commenced Feb. 1 and is a regularly-scheduled joint/combined exercise in the series of U.S.– Thai military exercises.