Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Sgt. Maj. Coleman Kinzer, left, outbound Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron sergeant major, prepares to pass on the sword of office to Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, right, newly appointed H&HS sergeant major, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 26, 2016. The passing of the sword of office represents the transition of duties and responsibilities from one sergeant major to another. Kinzer addressed the Marines of the squadron, stating that he believes without them, the transformation of the air station wouldn’t be possible. - Sgt. Maj. Coleman Kinzer, left, outbound Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron sergeant major, prepares to pass on the sword of office to Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, right, newly appointed H&HS sergeant major, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 26, 2016. The passing of the sword of office represents the transition of duties and responsibilities from one sergeant major to another. Kinzer addressed the Marines of the squadron, stating that he believes without them, the transformation of the air station wouldn’t be possible.

Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron participate in a 5k supply run during the Frozen Chosin Competition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 25, 2016. Teams consisting of six members completed a series of events including a pull up and sit up contest, a 5k supply run, a 600 meter swim, 250 meter sprint then constructing and presenting professional military education. According to Lance Cpl. Klayton Inmon, personnel administration clerk at the Installation Personnel Administration Center outbound management branch, competition builds Marines physically and mentally by pushing them past their limits and allowing them to accomplish the mission. - Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron participate in a 5k supply run during the Frozen Chosin Competition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 25, 2016. Teams consisting of six members completed a series of events including a pull up and sit up contest, a 5k supply run, a 600 meter swim, 250 meter sprint then constructing and presenting professional military education. According to Lance Cpl. Klayton Inmon, personnel administration clerk at the Installation Personnel Administration Center outbound management branch, competition builds Marines physically and mentally by pushing them past their limits and allowing them to accomplish the mission.

Matthew C. Perry Elementary and High School students on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Japanese students from the surrounding area participated in the 6th Annual Friendship Concert at Sinfonia Iwakuni Concert Hall, Iwakuni City, Feb. 20, 2016. The students practiced together weekly in preparation for the concert. Events like these allow the children of both nations to learn to work together despite language barriers and tighten the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. - Matthew C. Perry Elementary and High School students on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Japanese students from the surrounding area participated in the 6th Annual Friendship Concert at Sinfonia Iwakuni Concert Hall, Iwakuni City, Feb. 20, 2016. The students practiced together weekly in preparation for the concert. Events like these allow the children of both nations to learn to work together despite language barriers and tighten the friendship between the U.S. and Japan.

Matthew C. Perry High School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, hosted the 2016 Division 2 Girls’ Far East Basketball Tournament Feb. 15-18, 2016. Seven high schools from the Far East division traveled to Iwakuni for the competition. The teams spent the week playing in brackets determining who could make cut for the championship game. - Matthew C. Perry High School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, hosted the 2016 Division 2 Girls’ Far East Basketball Tournament Feb. 15-18, 2016. Seven high schools from the Far East division traveled to Iwakuni for the competition. The teams spent the week playing in brackets determining who could make cut for the championship game.

Police Lt. Muneyuki Hirao, a police dog trainer at Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters, and his K-9 search for hidden explosives during a joint training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 17, 2016. K-9’s are trained on scent boxes in order to get them familiar with the different scents of various explosives. The location and types of training are changed each time to broaden the capabilities of the dogs as well as the handlers. - Police Lt. Muneyuki Hirao, a police dog trainer at Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters, and his K-9 search for hidden explosives during a joint training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 17, 2016. K-9’s are trained on scent boxes in order to get them familiar with the different scents of various explosives. The location and types of training are changed each time to broaden the capabilities of the dogs as well as the handlers.

Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, outbound Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 sergeant major, addresses the audience during his relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 12, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of Richardson’s role as MALS-12 sergeant major after assuming the role in June 2014. - Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, outbound Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 sergeant major, addresses the audience during his relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 12, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of Richardson’s role as MALS-12 sergeant major after assuming the role in June 2014.

The Fukugawa Elementary School marching band performs at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during a cultural exchange Feb. 11, 2016. Fukugawa Elementary School is a member of the Shunan International Children’s Club that visits M.C. Perry Elementary School annually. The 6th annual performance included karate, traditional Japanese dance, a marching band and musical choir. - The Fukugawa Elementary School marching band performs at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during a cultural exchange Feb. 11, 2016. Fukugawa Elementary School is a member of the Shunan International Children’s Club that visits M.C. Perry Elementary School annually. The 6th annual performance included karate, traditional Japanese dance, a marching band and musical choir.

Mandie Woods, left, and April Rosales, residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni dig lotus roots during a cultural adaptation program at Yamaguchi’s Agricultural, Forestry, Fisheries, and Stockbreeding in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 10, 2016. After learning about lotus roots, residents along with other Japanese nationals took to the fields to dig up their own. - Mandie Woods, left, and April Rosales, residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni dig lotus roots during a cultural adaptation program at Yamaguchi’s Agricultural, Forestry, Fisheries, and Stockbreeding in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 10, 2016. After learning about lotus roots, residents along with other Japanese nationals took to the fields to dig up their own.

The Marine Aircraft Group 12 color guard marches in formation during a Sgt. Maj. Sergio MartinezRuiz’s relief and appointment ceremony at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 5, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of MartinezRuiz’s tour after assuming the role of MAG-12’s sergeant major in May of 2014. - The Marine Aircraft Group 12 color guard marches in formation during a Sgt. Maj. Sergio MartinezRuiz’s relief and appointment ceremony at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 5, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of MartinezRuiz’s tour after assuming the role of MAG-12’s sergeant major in May of 2014.

Matthew C. Perry and Takamori Midori Junior High School students pose for a photo during a cultural exchange event at Takamori Midori Junior High School in Kuga, Japan, Feb. 2, 2016. Traditionally, Midori Junior High School visits M.C. Perry annually and was excited to invite the American students into their own school this year. - Matthew C. Perry and Takamori Midori Junior High School students pose for a photo during a cultural exchange event at Takamori Midori Junior High School in Kuga, Japan, Feb. 2, 2016. Traditionally, Midori Junior High School visits M.C. Perry annually and was excited to invite the American students into their own school this year.