Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Lance Cpl. Eric M. Wanczak, a Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 loadmaster, opens a panel so he can tighten one of the cargo locks necessary for keeping cargo pallets in place in preparation for a humanitarian mission to Sendai, Japan, as part of Operation Tomodachi here March 25. Pallets loaded onto C-130s typically have teeth that will interlock directly with the sides of the aircraft cargo bay. - Lance Cpl. Eric M. Wanczak, a Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 loadmaster, opens a panel so he can tighten one of the cargo locks necessary for keeping cargo pallets in place in preparation for a humanitarian mission to Sendai, Japan, as part of Operation Tomodachi here March 25. Pallets loaded onto C-130s typically have teeth that will interlock directly with the sides of the aircraft cargo bay.

The Saunders family tries to put an oversized basketball into a giant hoop at the basketball court near the skate park here for the Amazing Race Family Edition March 26. Each family member on the team had to make a basket before moving on. While taller participants had no problem making baskets, younger ones needed assistance as they struggled with the ball twice their size. - The Saunders family tries to put an oversized basketball into a giant hoop at the basketball court near the skate park here for the Amazing Race Family Edition March 26. Each family member on the team had to make a basket before moving on. While taller participants had no problem making baskets, younger ones needed assistance as they struggled with the ball twice their size.

Lance Cpl. Michael Martinson, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 fixed-wing aircraft mechanic, checks the panels of a KC-130J aircraft here March 24. Because aircraft are scheduled to launch every morning at approximately 9 a.m., maintenance crew work during the night to meet demanding flight schedules. - Lance Cpl. Michael Martinson, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 fixed-wing aircraft mechanic, checks the panels of a KC-130J aircraft here March 24. Because aircraft are scheduled to launch every morning at approximately 9 a.m., maintenance crew work during the night to meet demanding flight schedules.

Combat Logistics Company 36 unloads more than 230 tons of palletized bottled water here, March 22, to be transported via KC-130J aircraft to Sendai, Japan, in support of Operation Tomodachi. Operation Tomodachi is a joint humanitarian assistance operation implimented by the U.S. Armed Forces and Japan to provide aid following the approximately 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the Tohoku region of northern Japan, March 11. Since relief efforts began, more than 1.5 million pounds of food, water, cargo, supplies and equipment have been prepared and transported via air, land and sea to support affected areas. - Combat Logistics Company 36 unloads more than 230 tons of palletized bottled water here, March 22, to be transported via KC-130J aircraft to Sendai, Japan, in support of Operation Tomodachi. Operation Tomodachi is a joint humanitarian assistance operation implimented by the U.S. Armed Forces and Japan to provide aid following the approximately 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the Tohoku region of northern Japan, March 11. Since relief efforts began, more than 1.5 million pounds of food, water, cargo, supplies and equipment have been prepared and transported via air, land and sea to support affected areas.

Image for JN translation - Image for JN translation

Station residents pack humanitarian aid donations in support of Operation Tomodachi here March 20.::r::::n::MCAS Iwakuni is an essential strategically located air and sea port supporting Operation Tomodachi as a::r::::n::logistical and resupply hub. - Station residents pack humanitarian aid donations in support of Operation Tomodachi here March 20.::r::::n::MCAS Iwakuni is an essential strategically located air and sea port supporting Operation Tomodachi as a::r::::n::logistical and resupply hub.

Sgt. James Thyden, recruiter from Alexandria, Va. talks with a potential recruit Andy Thong, a 24-year-old grocery store clerk, in the food court of Springfield Mall in Alexandria May 9, 2006. Recruiters are often faced with the task of continuously finding able bodies throughout the year to fill the needs of the Marine Corps. It is a task that often starts early in the morning and ends sometimes late in the night. - Sgt. James Thyden, recruiter from Alexandria, Va. talks with a potential recruit Andy Thong, a 24-year-old grocery store clerk, in the food court of Springfield Mall in Alexandria May 9, 2006. Recruiters are often faced with the task of continuously finding able bodies throughout the year to fill the needs of the Marine Corps. It is a task that often starts early in the morning and ends sometimes late in the night.

Seaman Daniel E. Truelove, Marine All-Weather Fighter::r::::n::Attack Squadron 533 aviation medicine technician, performs a routine medicine inventory during exercise::r::::n::Cope Tiger here March 15. - Seaman Daniel E. Truelove, Marine All-Weather Fighter::r::::n::Attack Squadron 533 aviation medicine technician, performs a routine medicine inventory during exercise::r::::n::Cope Tiger here March 15.

Japanese workers, along with Marines and sailors push pallets of food into a C-130T from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 62, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., that will be flown to Misawa Air Base for humanitarian aid in support of Operation Tomodachi here March 18. - Japanese workers, along with Marines and sailors push pallets of food into a C-130T from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 62, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., that will be flown to Misawa Air Base for humanitarian aid in support of Operation Tomodachi here March 18.