News Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rodney Harris, right, an aircraft rescue firefighter with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), explains to Lance Cpl. Dahee Park, an aircraft rescue firefighter with H&HS, how to put out an external fire on an F/A-18C Hornet at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 19, 2017. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines visited the display to familiarize themselves with the aircraft so they can be more efficient in emergency situations. (U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rodney Harris, right, an aircraft rescue firefighter with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), explains to Lance Cpl. Dahee Park, an aircraft rescue firefighter with H&HS, how to put out an external fire on an F/A-18C Hornet at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 19, 2017. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines visited the display to familiarize themselves with the aircraft so they can be more efficient in emergency situations. (U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

A Japanese local takes video of the scoreboard lighting during a ceremony for the upcoming completion of Kizuna Stadium in Iwakuni City, Japan, July 19, 2017. Following the scoreboard lighting, attendees witnessed the first pitch by Takahiro Sugawara, director general of Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau and toured the stadium. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - A Japanese local takes video of the scoreboard lighting during a ceremony for the upcoming completion of Kizuna Stadium in Iwakuni City, Japan, July 19, 2017. Following the scoreboard lighting, attendees witnessed the first pitch by Takahiro Sugawara, director general of Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau and toured the stadium. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Veterinary clinic personnel showcase the new facility for guests during the opening of the veterinary clinic at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 13, 2017. The veterinary clinic is responsible for the welfare of hundreds of military pets and military working dogs. The new facility allows technicians to double the amount of patients they can see. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas) - Veterinary clinic personnel showcase the new facility for guests during the opening of the veterinary clinic at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 13, 2017. The veterinary clinic is responsible for the welfare of hundreds of military pets and military working dogs. The new facility allows technicians to double the amount of patients they can see. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas)

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 takes off at Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, July 12, 2017. VMFA-232 has been conducting exercises with the JASDF as part of the Aviation Training Relocation program, which is designed to increase operational readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces, and reduce local noise impacts by dispersing unilateral jet-fighter training of U.S. forces in Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy) - A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 takes off at Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, July 12, 2017. VMFA-232 has been conducting exercises with the JASDF as part of the Aviation Training Relocation program, which is designed to increase operational readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces, and reduce local noise impacts by dispersing unilateral jet-fighter training of U.S. forces in Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

Explosive ordnance disposal Marines conducted emergency destruct training at Target Island, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 14, 2017. The island is located near the air station and is used as a training site for EOD Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez) - Explosive ordnance disposal Marines conducted emergency destruct training at Target Island, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 14, 2017. The island is located near the air station and is used as a training site for EOD Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Erika Vargas, a food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, answers questions for the judges during the Food Service Specialist of the Quarter competition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 13, 2017. The event prepared Marines for a larger competition July 26-27 in Okinawa. This was Vargas’ second time participating in the competition. She took first place, surpassing her placement last quarter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Erika Vargas, a food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, answers questions for the judges during the Food Service Specialist of the Quarter competition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 13, 2017. The event prepared Marines for a larger competition July 26-27 in Okinawa. This was Vargas’ second time participating in the competition. She took first place, surpassing her placement last quarter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher J. Garza, sergeant major of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, cuts the cake during the Single Marine Program’s (SMP) Marine Lounge grand opening at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, July 14, 2017. Originally located on the second floor over Crossroads Mall, the Marine Lounge was moved to make it more available to single and unaccompanied service members on the air station. Garza attended the event to cut the ribbon, slice the cake and support the SMP. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher J. Garza, sergeant major of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, cuts the cake during the Single Marine Program’s (SMP) Marine Lounge grand opening at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, July 14, 2017. Originally located on the second floor over Crossroads Mall, the Marine Lounge was moved to make it more available to single and unaccompanied service members on the air station. Garza attended the event to cut the ribbon, slice the cake and support the SMP. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher O’Neal, an expeditionary airfield systems technician attached to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, shoots an M240B machine gun during phase two of Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 5, 2017. Phase two consisted of conducting live-fire training exercises to give MWSS-171 the knowledge and confidence to utilize weapons systems effectively in a deployed environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher O’Neal, an expeditionary airfield systems technician attached to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, shoots an M240B machine gun during phase two of Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 5, 2017. Phase two consisted of conducting live-fire training exercises to give MWSS-171 the knowledge and confidence to utilize weapons systems effectively in a deployed environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Frank Machniak, a pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, prepares to exit an F/A-18C Hornet after landing at Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, July 7, 2017. VMFA-232 is conducting exercises with the JASDF as part of the Aviation Training Relocation (ATR) Program, The ATR is designed to increase operational readiness and bilateral interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces. It also reduces noise impact across the country by dispersing unilateral jet-fighter training of U.S. forces in Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Frank Machniak, a pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, prepares to exit an F/A-18C Hornet after landing at Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, July 7, 2017. VMFA-232 is conducting exercises with the JASDF as part of the Aviation Training Relocation (ATR) Program, The ATR is designed to increase operational readiness and bilateral interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces. It also reduces noise impact across the country by dispersing unilateral jet-fighter training of U.S. forces in Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Kinjuen Nursing Home residents eat somen nagashi, or sliding somen noodles, during a nursing home visit with the MCAS Iwakuni Cultural Adaptation Program in Iwakuni City, Japan, July 7, 2017. The nursing home invited tenants of the air station to celebrate a Tanabata, also known as the star festival. It gave tenants of the air station a taste of Japanese culture and friendship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Kinjuen Nursing Home residents eat somen nagashi, or sliding somen noodles, during a nursing home visit with the MCAS Iwakuni Cultural Adaptation Program in Iwakuni City, Japan, July 7, 2017. The nursing home invited tenants of the air station to celebrate a Tanabata, also known as the star festival. It gave tenants of the air station a taste of Japanese culture and friendship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)