Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Marine Corps Community Services hosted the 2014 Summer Music Festival at Penny Lake fields aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 6. Attractions ranged from free food, live performances, a kid’s play land, and a feature performance from country music song writers Annie Bosko and Danny Myrick. - Marine Corps Community Services hosted the 2014 Summer Music Festival at Penny Lake fields aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 6. Attractions ranged from free food, live performances, a kid’s play land, and a feature performance from country music song writers Annie Bosko and Danny Myrick.

Pfc. Brandon Messina, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, carries a bag of trash past a “no littering” sign during a river cleanup, sponsored by the Single Marine Program, in Asakita-ku, Hiroshima, Sept. 5, 2014. This was the first cleanup the SMP conducted in Hiroshima recently. - Pfc. Brandon Messina, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, carries a bag of trash past a “no littering” sign during a river cleanup, sponsored by the Single Marine Program, in Asakita-ku, Hiroshima, Sept. 5, 2014. This was the first cleanup the SMP conducted in Hiroshima recently.

An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 3, 2014. The Hornet was loaded with ordnance for a bombing mission as part of the squadron’s unit level training, named Distant Frontier. - An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 3, 2014. The Hornet was loaded with ordnance for a bombing mission as part of the squadron’s unit level training, named Distant Frontier.

A Marine works on a generator Sept. 1 on Tinian during preparation for Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. The squadron’s mission during the exercise is to prepare an airstrip and provide support for all participating units. Valiant Shield is a biennial exercise which focuses on the integration of joint training among U.S. forces. The Marine is with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - A Marine works on a generator Sept. 1 on Tinian during preparation for Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. The squadron’s mission during the exercise is to prepare an airstrip and provide support for all participating units. Valiant Shield is a biennial exercise which focuses on the integration of joint training among U.S. forces. The Marine is with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Maj. William Smith, operations officer with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, answers questions from Iwakuni City Base Policy representatives, media and Government of Japan’s Ministry of Defense representatives immediately after a familiarization flight of a KC-130J Super Hercules, Aug. 28, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The visitors asked questions involving the aircraft’s mission, capabilities and functions, and also flew aboard the C-130 to gain a better understanding of its capabilities. - Maj. William Smith, operations officer with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, answers questions from Iwakuni City Base Policy representatives, media and Government of Japan’s Ministry of Defense representatives immediately after a familiarization flight of a KC-130J Super Hercules, Aug. 28, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The visitors asked questions involving the aircraft’s mission, capabilities and functions, and also flew aboard the C-130 to gain a better understanding of its capabilities.

Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 ordnance Marines watch a GTR-18 missile, better known as a "Smokey SAM," launch toward a KC-130J Super Hercules on an island outside of Okinawa, Japan, during a threat reaction evolution, Aug. 26, 2014. The threat reaction evolution is a chance for pilots to stay up to date on their qualifications while keeping an alert and aware mindset for any arising combat scenario. - Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 ordnance Marines watch a GTR-18 missile, better known as a "Smokey SAM," launch toward a KC-130J Super Hercules on an island outside of Okinawa, Japan, during a threat reaction evolution, Aug. 26, 2014. The threat reaction evolution is a chance for pilots to stay up to date on their qualifications while keeping an alert and aware mindset for any arising combat scenario.

Tommy Davidson and Miss Gayle, entertainers with Kenny Hill’s All Star Comedy Slam pose with Gunnery Sgt. Denver Inopiquez and his sons inside the Marine Corps Exchange aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2014. As part of the comedy slam, Davidson and Gayle Davidson are slated to tour the air station, as well as performing a live comedy show inside Club Iwakuni. - Tommy Davidson and Miss Gayle, entertainers with Kenny Hill’s All Star Comedy Slam pose with Gunnery Sgt. Denver Inopiquez and his sons inside the Marine Corps Exchange aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2014. As part of the comedy slam, Davidson and Gayle Davidson are slated to tour the air station, as well as performing a live comedy show inside Club Iwakuni.

Col. William Lieblein, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 31, and Lance Cpl. Dakota Cassell, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, inspect an F/A-18C aboard Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, August 25, 2014. Lieblein, who visited VMFA-122 from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., participated in the first flight of the squadron’s unit level training in Alaska. VMFA-122 arrived to Alaska from Hawaii and is scheduled to train with squadrons from the United States Air Force to enhance interoperability between services. - Col. William Lieblein, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 31, and Lance Cpl. Dakota Cassell, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, inspect an F/A-18C aboard Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, August 25, 2014. Lieblein, who visited VMFA-122 from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., participated in the first flight of the squadron’s unit level training in Alaska. VMFA-122 arrived to Alaska from Hawaii and is scheduled to train with squadrons from the United States Air Force to enhance interoperability between services.

A Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 F/A-18C Hornet takes off from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, August 21, 2014. This was the last training flight for the squadron, nicknamed the “Werewolves,” during their unit level training on the island. The squadron participated in both Exercise Rim of the Pacific and ULT while part of the unit deployment program with Marine Aircraft Group 12, stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. - A Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 F/A-18C Hornet takes off from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, August 21, 2014. This was the last training flight for the squadron, nicknamed the “Werewolves,” during their unit level training on the island. The squadron participated in both Exercise Rim of the Pacific and ULT while part of the unit deployment program with Marine Aircraft Group 12, stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

Powerline mechanic Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 perform maintenance on a KC-130J Super Hercules aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 19, 2014. Upon VMGR-152’s relocation to MCAS Iwakuni from their former home of Okinawa, Japan, in July, the squadron now utilizes new facilities and gear, making mission accomplishment easier. - Powerline mechanic Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 perform maintenance on a KC-130J Super Hercules aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 19, 2014. Upon VMGR-152’s relocation to MCAS Iwakuni from their former home of Okinawa, Japan, in July, the squadron now utilizes new facilities and gear, making mission accomplishment easier.