News Stories

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, volunteers stand in formation during the Kuragake Castle Festival in Kuga, Iwakuni City, Nov. 18, 2012. The festival began at the Kuga train station and paraded through the streets of town and ended at the town square. The parade ended with a reenactment of the final meeting for the Samurai before a famous 16th century battle. - Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, volunteers stand in formation during the Kuragake Castle Festival in Kuga, Iwakuni City, Nov. 18, 2012. The festival began at the Kuga train station and paraded through the streets of town and ended at the town square. The parade ended with a reenactment of the final meeting for the Samurai before a famous 16th century battle.

Buddhist monks perform part of a ritual for theHiwatari Shinji, or firewalking ceremony, whichtook place inside the Daisho-in, a historicalJapanese temple, on Miyajima Nov. 15, 2012. After the haze clears, the monks then pass out sticks of wood with prayers written by those attending inscribed on them. Handfuls of prayer sticks are thrown into the blaze, releasing the wishes of the pilgrims and granting good luck. - Buddhist monks perform part of a ritual for the Hiwatari Shinji, or firewalking ceremony, which took place inside the Daisho-in, a historical Japanese temple, on Miyajima Nov. 15, 2012. After the haze clears, the monks then pass out sticks of wood with prayers written by those attending inscribed on them. Handfuls of prayer sticks are thrown into the blaze, releasing the wishes of the pilgrims and granting good luck.

Alma Dickenson, Health Promotions Director, explains the course of the Great American Smoke-out Fun Run here, Nov. 15, 2012. Smokers spend an average of $3,500 a year on cigarettes with a single pack costing between $5 to $7 a pack. IronWorks Gym offers several classes to help smokers quit the habit of smoking, including a four-week cessation class. - Alma Dickenson, Health Promotions Director, explains the course of the Great American Smoke-out Fun Run here, Nov. 15, 2012. Smokers spend an average of $3,500 a year on cigarettes with a single pack costing between $5 to $7 a pack. IronWorks Gym offers several classes to help smokers quit the habit of smoking, including a four-week cessation class.

Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Marines use a saw to breach the hull of a Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Shin Meiwa US-1A seaplane during a training exercise here Nov. 14, 2012. ARFF Marines worked side-by-side station firefighters in the rescue of injured crew members within the seaplane. The six injured crew members were moved from the plane to a field medical treatment area farther down the runway. - Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Marines use a saw to breach the hull of a Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Shin Meiwa US-1A seaplane during a training exercise here Nov. 14, 2012. ARFF Marines worked side-by-side station firefighters in the rescue of injured crew members within the seaplane. The six injured crew members were moved from the plane to a field medical treatment area farther down the runway.

A college football committee of conferencecommissioners approved a four-team playoffbeginning in 2014. - A college football committee of conference commissioners approved a four-team playoff beginning in 2014.

Lt. Col. Peter L. McArdle, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 commanding officer, records his 237th birthday message for family members of the "Fighting Bengals" in Beaufort, S.C. The Bengals are currently taking part in a Unit Deployment Program, which will require the squadron to spend six months in Iwakuni, Japan, and participate in various exercises in Guam and Thailand. - Lt. Col. Peter L. McArdle, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 commanding officer, records his 237th birthday message for family members of the "Fighting Bengals" in Beaufort, S.C. The Bengals are currently taking part in a Unit Deployment Program, which will require the squadron to spend six months in Iwakuni, Japan, and participate in various exercises in Guam and Thailand.

An inverted place setting along with a barracks cover, noncommissioned officer's sword and gloves rest upon the fallen comrades table at the IronWorks Gym here Nov. 8,2012. During Marine Corps ceremonies it is a tradition to set an empty place for fallen Marines in recognition of their ultimate sacrifice. - An inverted place setting along with a barracks cover, noncommissioned officer's sword and gloves rest upon the fallen comrades table at the IronWorks Gym here Nov. 8,2012. During Marine Corps ceremonies it is a tradition to set an empty place for fallen Marines in recognition of their ultimate sacrifice.

Saving Abel is scheduled to visit Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on Dec. 4, 2012. The band is set to preform at 8 p.m. and is slated to have a meet and greet at the Marine Lounge during lunch hours - Saving Abel is scheduled to visit Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni on Dec. 4, 2012. The band is set to preform at 8 p.m. and is slated to have a meet and greet at the Marine Lounge during lunch hours

Seaman Tyler Wash, an 11th Dental Company lab technician and afternoon High Intensity Tactical Training participant, does thrusters at the HITT center at the IronWorks Gym here, Nov. 7, 2012. Thrusters are conducted to work out arms, back and legs simultaneously and were one of several exercises Wash did to better his endurance during the afternoon workout. - Seaman Tyler Wash, an 11th Dental Company lab technician and afternoon High Intensity Tactical Training participant, does thrusters at the HITT center at the IronWorks Gym here, Nov. 7, 2012. Thrusters are conducted to work out arms, back and legs simultaneously and were one of several exercises Wash did to better his endurance during the afternoon workout.

Akie Sumomogi, Marine Corps Community Services cultural assistant, helps a station resident with pronunciation of vowels at Building 411 Nov. 6, 2012, during a Survival Japanese Class. - Akie Sumomogi, Marine Corps Community Services cultural assistant, helps a station resident with pronunciation of vowels at Building 411 Nov. 6, 2012, during a Survival Japanese Class.