Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Aguirre, right, a logistics specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, poses for a photo with Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, after being awarded the Marine Corps Installations Pacific Junior Sailor of the Year at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 10, 2016. Aguirre said becoming sailor of the year wasn’t an easy task and participating in Marine Corps activities helped him achieve his newly appointed title. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Aguirre, right, a logistics specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, poses for a photo with Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, after being awarded the Marine Corps Installations Pacific Junior Sailor of the Year at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 10, 2016. Aguirre said becoming sailor of the year wasn’t an easy task and participating in Marine Corps activities helped him achieve his newly appointed title. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Capt. Robert Ahern, a F/A-18 pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, shows an F/A- 18AA++ aircraft to Japan Air Self-Defense Force members during the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 17, 2016. VMFA-314, home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, temporarily deployed to MCAS Iwakuni for a six month rotation with the unit deployment program, is forward deployed to Komatsu, Japan for the ATR. Komatsu ATR is a dissimilar air combat training exercise allowing pilots with diverse aircraft to simulate aerial warfare and execute basic fighter maneuvers, aircraft tactical intercepts and offensive-defensive counter air missions in preparation for real wartime situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Capt. Robert Ahern, a F/A-18 pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, shows an F/A- 18AA++ aircraft to Japan Air Self-Defense Force members during the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 17, 2016. VMFA-314, home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, temporarily deployed to MCAS Iwakuni for a six month rotation with the unit deployment program, is forward deployed to Komatsu, Japan for the ATR. Komatsu ATR is a dissimilar air combat training exercise allowing pilots with diverse aircraft to simulate aerial warfare and execute basic fighter maneuvers, aircraft tactical intercepts and offensive-defensive counter air missions in preparation for real wartime situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviators assist each other in boarding an inflatable raft during Winter Survival Training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9-11, 2016. Mandatory for all aviators and aircrew, the JMSDF conducts this training semi-annually, once in the summer and once in the winter. The final portion consisted of drifting training where the aviators dressed in Taikan Taisui Fuku, a cold and water resistant suit. They jumped into the water, swam to inflatable-life-saving boats and worked as a team to climb aboard. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviators assist each other in boarding an inflatable raft during Winter Survival Training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9-11, 2016. Mandatory for all aviators and aircrew, the JMSDF conducts this training semi-annually, once in the summer and once in the winter. The final portion consisted of drifting training where the aviators dressed in Taikan Taisui Fuku, a cold and water resistant suit. They jumped into the water, swam to inflatable-life-saving boats and worked as a team to climb aboard. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

From left to right, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jason Perry, military liaison officer with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Masahiro Kurosaki, professor at the Japan National Defense Academy, and U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Grimes, staff judge advocate for United States Forces Japan, answer questions during the Legislation for Peace and Security seminar at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 11, 2016. Recent changes in national policy gives Japan the capability to take a more proactive stance in matters that may threaten Japan, its citizens and its allies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released) - From left to right, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jason Perry, military liaison officer with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Masahiro Kurosaki, professor at the Japan National Defense Academy, and U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Grimes, staff judge advocate for United States Forces Japan, answer questions during the Legislation for Peace and Security seminar at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 11, 2016. Recent changes in national policy gives Japan the capability to take a more proactive stance in matters that may threaten Japan, its citizens and its allies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released)

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Matthew C. Perry High School conduct drill practice at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2016. The JROTC cadets took top honors during the Far East Marksmanship Competition at Camp Humphreys, Korea, Feb. 14-16, 2016, and the drill competition at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, Nov. 16-18, 2015. During the drill competition, M.C. Perry cadets placed first in uniform inspection and armed regulation, second in unarmed and armed exhibitions, and third place in unarmed regulation and color guard. After finishing with two 3rd place victories, two 2nd place victories, and two 1st place victories, the cadets achieved 1st place overall. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Matthew C. Perry High School conduct drill practice at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2016. The JROTC cadets took top honors during the Far East Marksmanship Competition at Camp Humphreys, Korea, Feb. 14-16, 2016, and the drill competition at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, Nov. 16-18, 2015. During the drill competition, M.C. Perry cadets placed first in uniform inspection and armed regulation, second in unarmed and armed exhibitions, and third place in unarmed regulation and color guard. After finishing with two 3rd place victories, two 2nd place victories, and two 1st place victories, the cadets achieved 1st place overall. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12; Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Japan Air Self-Defense Force pile all the trash gathered during Operation Kibagata at Kibagata Park, Komatsu, Japan, March 12, 2016. Operation Kibagata brought participants of the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base together to clean the local community. Community relations events not only lend a hand to the local community, they are an important aspect of strengthening one of the world’s strongest alliances in order to maintain peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12; Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Japan Air Self-Defense Force pile all the trash gathered during Operation Kibagata at Kibagata Park, Komatsu, Japan, March 12, 2016. Operation Kibagata brought participants of the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base together to clean the local community. Community relations events not only lend a hand to the local community, they are an important aspect of strengthening one of the world’s strongest alliances in order to maintain peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, 6th Air Wing commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, study a flight diagram during a visit to Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 9, 2016. Dolan visited Komatsu Air Base for the first time to observe the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise between Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The ATR program has three main goals: to increase operational readiness, improve interoperability, and reduce local noise impacts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Japan Air Self-Defense Force Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, 6th Air Wing commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, study a flight diagram during a visit to Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 9, 2016. Dolan visited Komatsu Air Base for the first time to observe the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise between Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The ATR program has three main goals: to increase operational readiness, improve interoperability, and reduce local noise impacts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, arrives at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, for the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise March 7, 2016. The ATR program, established in 2007, is in place as a result of the Defense Policy Review Initiative to increase the operational readiness of U.S. and Japanese forces, enhance bilateral interoperability and reduce local noise pollution. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, arrives at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, for the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise March 7, 2016. The ATR program, established in 2007, is in place as a result of the Defense Policy Review Initiative to increase the operational readiness of U.S. and Japanese forces, enhance bilateral interoperability and reduce local noise pollution. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Sgt. Avelinobong Quero, fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 224, works on an F/A-18D Hornet at Chitose Air Base apron in Hokkaido, Japan, Jan. 13, 2016. VMFA (AW)-224, homebased at MCAS Beaufort, S.C., is temporarily based in Iwakuni on a unit deployment program and deployed to Northern Japan to participate in the Chitose Aviation Training Relocation Exercise Jan. 12-22. During the exercise, the squadron conducted dissimilar air combat training with and against the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to further support combined interoperability and Pacific theater security cooperation. - Sgt. Avelinobong Quero, fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 224, works on an F/A-18D Hornet at Chitose Air Base apron in Hokkaido, Japan, Jan. 13, 2016. VMFA (AW)-224, homebased at MCAS Beaufort, S.C., is temporarily based in Iwakuni on a unit deployment program and deployed to Northern Japan to participate in the Chitose Aviation Training Relocation Exercise Jan. 12-22. During the exercise, the squadron conducted dissimilar air combat training with and against the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to further support combined interoperability and Pacific theater security cooperation.

Capt. Timothy Keane, Japanese jurisdiction officer with the Staff Judge Advocates Office, delivers a speech during the kickoff of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s active duty fund drive at the Strike Zone Bowling Center at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 29, 2016. Since 1904, the NMCRS has provided assistance to Marines, Sailors and their families in times of need. Representatives from each unit ensure the service members within the unit know what the fund drive is, how funds are used to help other service members and their families, and collect donations. - Capt. Timothy Keane, Japanese jurisdiction officer with the Staff Judge Advocates Office, delivers a speech during the kickoff of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s active duty fund drive at the Strike Zone Bowling Center at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 29, 2016. Since 1904, the NMCRS has provided assistance to Marines, Sailors and their families in times of need. Representatives from each unit ensure the service members within the unit know what the fund drive is, how funds are used to help other service members and their families, and collect donations.