Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Sgt. Maj. Drew C. Benson, Marine Aircraft Group 12 sergeant major, talks with Matthew C. Benson, 3, his son, after making cookies during the Boys and Girls Club Day for Kids 2011 at the Child Development Center here Sept. 21. The CDC had classrooms for different age groups to decorate and eat cookies. - Sgt. Maj. Drew C. Benson, Marine Aircraft Group 12 sergeant major, talks with Matthew C. Benson, 3, his son, after making cookies during the Boys and Girls Club Day for Kids 2011 at the Child Development Center here Sept. 21. The CDC had classrooms for different age groups to decorate and eat cookies.

Sgt. Andrea M. Olguin, a station combat photographer, and Tony J. Lewis, a runner, take part in the 5 kilometer Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk/Run at the sea wall here Sept. 23. As of August 2011, there have been 23 suicides and 125 attempted suicides within the Marine Corps. The purpose of the event was to raise station residents’ awareness of suicide, the warning signs and ways to prevent it. - Sgt. Andrea M. Olguin, a station combat photographer, and Tony J. Lewis, a runner, take part in the 5 kilometer Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk/Run at the sea wall here Sept. 23. As of August 2011, there have been 23 suicides and 125 attempted suicides within the Marine Corps. The purpose of the event was to raise station residents’ awareness of suicide, the warning signs and ways to prevent it.

Cpl. Michael A. Clemens, Marine Aircraft Group 12 special intelligence communications center noncommissioned officer in charge, volunteers for the 2010 - 2011 Matthew C. Perry homecoming parade here Feb. 11. Clemens volunteered approximately 300 hours to receive the United Service Organizations Japan Service Salute Award during an award ceremony for U.S. and Japanese service members in Tokyo Sept. 17. - Cpl. Michael A. Clemens, Marine Aircraft Group 12 special intelligence communications center noncommissioned officer in charge, volunteers for the 2010 - 2011 Matthew C. Perry homecoming parade here Feb. 11. Clemens volunteered approximately 300 hours to receive the United Service Organizations Japan Service Salute Award during an award ceremony for U.S. and Japanese service members in Tokyo Sept. 17.

Miranda Allen, a Platypi midfielder, attempts to maintain control of the ball during a 0-0 soccer game at the Matthew C. Perry Soccer field here Sept. 22. Both teams came determined to put points on the board but it was each team’s goalie that proved the deciding factor. - Miranda Allen, a Platypi midfielder, attempts to maintain control of the ball during a 0-0 soccer game at the Matthew C. Perry Soccer field here Sept. 22. Both teams came determined to put points on the board but it was each team’s goalie that proved the deciding factor.

Competitors begin the Marine Corps Community Services Iwakuni Modified Triathlon with a one kilometer swim here Sunday.The swimming portion consisted of two laps out to a buoy and back. The buoy was placed 250 meters away, but with the current and the turn-around point forcing competitors to slow down. 200 participants came out to fight their way through a 1 kilometer swim, a 32k bike ride, and two 4k runs. Many of the participants came from off the station in order to compete in something unique. Many different athletic events occur off base as well as on base giving people an opportunity to compete in teams or relays. - Competitors begin the Marine Corps Community Services Iwakuni Modified Triathlon with a one kilometer swim here Sunday.The swimming portion consisted of two laps out to a buoy and back. The buoy was placed 250 meters away, but with the current and the turn-around point forcing competitors to slow down. 200 participants came out to fight their way through a 1 kilometer swim, a 32k bike ride, and two 4k runs. Many of the participants came from off the station in order to compete in something unique. Many different athletic events occur off base as well as on base giving people an opportunity to compete in teams or relays.

Cpl. Roy A. Covington III, a station air traffic controller, pretends to falls asleep as another Marine pretends to steal a red card while covering a Duty Non-Commissioned Officer post at Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron barracks 314 Sept. 16 in order to show the importance of Operational Security. DNCO post is a 24 hour responsibility given to NCOs in order for barracks to be secured and gaurded at all times. - Cpl. Roy A. Covington III, a station air traffic controller, pretends to falls asleep as another Marine pretends to steal a red card while covering a Duty Non-Commissioned Officer post at Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron barracks 314 Sept. 16 in order to show the importance of Operational Security. DNCO post is a 24 hour responsibility given to NCOs in order for barracks to be secured and gaurded at all times.