Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Trevor Serenelli, ordnance Marine assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, shouts directions while guiding a bomb onto an aircraft during Southern Frontier at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 26, 2016. VMFA-122 delivered munitions while providing close air support to ground combat units at Bradshaw Range Complex during the training. Southern Frontier is a three week unit level training evolution helping the flying squadron gain qualifications and experience in low altitude, air ground, high explosive ordnance delivery. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Trevor Serenelli, ordnance Marine assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, shouts directions while guiding a bomb onto an aircraft during Southern Frontier at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 26, 2016. VMFA-122 delivered munitions while providing close air support to ground combat units at Bradshaw Range Complex during the training. Southern Frontier is a three week unit level training evolution helping the flying squadron gain qualifications and experience in low altitude, air ground, high explosive ordnance delivery. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

A K-9 with Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s Provost Marshal’s Office K-9 unit searches for hidden explosives during joint training with Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters officers and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Repair and Supply Facility Petroleum Terminal unit military working dog handlers at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 24, 2016. Marines placed explosives in hidden locations before handlers and their K-9’s arrived, resulting in a more cautious and thorough search, increasing the overall training effectiveness. U.S. and Japanese handlers then escorted their K-9’s to locate explosives hidden throughout the stations old furniture store. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo) - A K-9 with Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s Provost Marshal’s Office K-9 unit searches for hidden explosives during joint training with Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters officers and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Repair and Supply Facility Petroleum Terminal unit military working dog handlers at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 24, 2016. Marines placed explosives in hidden locations before handlers and their K-9’s arrived, resulting in a more cautious and thorough search, increasing the overall training effectiveness. U.S. and Japanese handlers then escorted their K-9’s to locate explosives hidden throughout the stations old furniture store. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo)

A volunteer extends her hand to a Japanese local preschooler at Midoro Hoikuen in Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 23, 2016. The children bonded with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni volunteers through laughter, blowing bubbles and a water fight during a community relations preschool visit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - A volunteer extends her hand to a Japanese local preschooler at Midoro Hoikuen in Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 23, 2016. The children bonded with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni volunteers through laughter, blowing bubbles and a water fight during a community relations preschool visit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Boxes of 2.75-inch high explosive rockets wait to be assembled during Southern Frontier at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 24, 2016. Southern Frontier afforded Iwakuni Marines the opportunity to train with high explosive weapon body groups typically not used in Japan, while expanding technical and tactical proficiency in their craft. Munitions built during this training are in support of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, who also gain experience and qualifications in low altitude, air-ground, high explosive ordnance delivery at the unit level. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - Boxes of 2.75-inch high explosive rockets wait to be assembled during Southern Frontier at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 24, 2016. Southern Frontier afforded Iwakuni Marines the opportunity to train with high explosive weapon body groups typically not used in Japan, while expanding technical and tactical proficiency in their craft. Munitions built during this training are in support of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, who also gain experience and qualifications in low altitude, air-ground, high explosive ordnance delivery at the unit level. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 taxis to the runway for a night flight during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 17, 2016. The flying squadron executed large force close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and strike coordination and reconnaissance missions over the three week training evolution. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 taxis to the runway for a night flight during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 17, 2016. The flying squadron executed large force close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and strike coordination and reconnaissance missions over the three week training evolution. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

A child prays before getting released to eat during Vacation Bible School at the Marine Memorial Chapel on Marine Corp Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 17, 2016. VBS consisted of group discussions, feeding the children and volunteers, praying and rotation stations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - A child prays before getting released to eat during Vacation Bible School at the Marine Memorial Chapel on Marine Corp Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 17, 2016. VBS consisted of group discussions, feeding the children and volunteers, praying and rotation stations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

A Japanese athlete from Otake shoots a basketball during a tournament held for station residents and Japanese nationals at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 21, 2016. Forty-four athletes from Iwakuni, Hirata, Ohno, Otake and Mainland Sports Association-Iwakuni took to the courts to compete against each other in a series of basketball games. The association assists young athletes in building character by using basketball to promote academic interest, athletic skills and aims to support and empower athletes using experienced coaches to help develop character, teamwork and leadership traits. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - A Japanese athlete from Otake shoots a basketball during a tournament held for station residents and Japanese nationals at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 21, 2016. Forty-four athletes from Iwakuni, Hirata, Ohno, Otake and Mainland Sports Association-Iwakuni took to the courts to compete against each other in a series of basketball games. The association assists young athletes in building character by using basketball to promote academic interest, athletic skills and aims to support and empower athletes using experienced coaches to help develop character, teamwork and leadership traits. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew Case, flight surgeon, Kurt Pride, rescue crewman with RAAF Tindal Search and Rescue, and Flying Officer Kimberly MacDonald, a nurse with the Royal Australian Air Force, ensure that all buckles and clips are secure during SAR training at Exercise Pitch Black 2016, Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 16, 2016. The SAR team trains with local and international forces during exercises like Pitch Black to ensure all medical personnel that can respond to an aircraft emergency are capable of carrying out the same procedures. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew Case, flight surgeon, Kurt Pride, rescue crewman with RAAF Tindal Search and Rescue, and Flying Officer Kimberly MacDonald, a nurse with the Royal Australian Air Force, ensure that all buckles and clips are secure during SAR training at Exercise Pitch Black 2016, Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 16, 2016. The SAR team trains with local and international forces during exercises like Pitch Black to ensure all medical personnel that can respond to an aircraft emergency are capable of carrying out the same procedures. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

A crowd gathers to walk through a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 Open Day at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, Aug. 13, 2016. For over 70 years, VMGR-152, also known as the “Sumos,” has successfully carried out support missions by providing aerial refueling and assault support during expeditionary, joint and combined operations like Exercise Pitch Black 2016. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - A crowd gathers to walk through a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 Open Day at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, Aug. 13, 2016. For over 70 years, VMGR-152, also known as the “Sumos,” has successfully carried out support missions by providing aerial refueling and assault support during expeditionary, joint and combined operations like Exercise Pitch Black 2016. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

A U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115, with Carrier Air Wing 5, taxis into hot refueling pits at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 17, 2016. While passing through the air station for aircraft-based training, maintainers inspected and refueled the Hawkeyes before their retrograde back to Naval Air Facility Atusgi. The all-weather, carrier-based, tactical battle management airborne early warning command and control aircraft became operational in 1973 and underwent several upgrades. Variants of this aircraft are also flown by the Egyptian Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Taiwan Air Force, and the French Navy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin) - A U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115, with Carrier Air Wing 5, taxis into hot refueling pits at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 17, 2016. While passing through the air station for aircraft-based training, maintainers inspected and refueled the Hawkeyes before their retrograde back to Naval Air Facility Atusgi. The all-weather, carrier-based, tactical battle management airborne early warning command and control aircraft became operational in 1973 and underwent several upgrades. Variants of this aircraft are also flown by the Egyptian Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Taiwan Air Force, and the French Navy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin)