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Marines

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

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Mentors help DEFY drug use

The Marine Corps recently adopted a program designed to educate children on the dangers of drugs. The Drug Education For Youth program, which focuses on 9 to 12 year olds, has been a part of the Department of Defense for the past eight years. According to the DEFY Web site, www.hq.navy.mil/defy, it is a self-esteem building program that provides

Lancers complete MCMAP down under

Every Marine is considered a riflemen and a warrior, which means that they must be combat ready not only with their weapons, but also with their bare hands. This is where the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program comes into play. The Marine Corps has required everyone in its ranks to qualify as a tan belt before Oct. 1. With 48 of their personnel not

Row, row, row your dragon

Ten people, one boat and one drum. One might question what could possibly be accomplished with this combination of items, but for a group of Station residents it was all that was needed to win. The Dragon Ladies, a 10-woman team, won 1st place in the woman's division of the 13th Annual Yasaka Lake Sports Festival Dragon Boat races Sunday. The event

Latin tradition brought overseas

Los Quinceaños or a Quinceanera is a rite of passage for Latin girls. A celebration of womanhood at age 15, the event became popular in the United States in the 1930's and is still flourishing today. In the past, 15 was the age when young women would be married and leave their home. They would also be expected to have children and take care of the

Outfielder selected for All-Marine tryouts

After demonstrating his skills during a round-robin tournament in Okinawa, Japan, Luther Gibbs was selected to try out for the All-Marine softball team. Gibbs, a 14-year veteran outfielder was one of six Marines in the Western Pacific region to be selected to go out for the team. "I just enjoy playing, and for me to get a second chance at the

RP doubles as guardian angel

He grew up in the third-fastest growing town in Indiana, but if you took a minute to talk to him, you'd never know it. The small-town charm and warm personality of Justin R. Robison, a petty officer 3rd class in the Navy, can bring a smile to anyone's face. As a religious program specialist with Marine Aircraft Group 12, those traits not only gain

VAQ-133 arrives to support mission

The 210 Sailors of Electronic Attack Squadron 133 arrived aboard the Station July 14 to replace the outgoing Marines of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 who departed from the Station Monday to return home to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. During the Wizards? three-month tour here, they are looking forward to training in

Special leave for combat duty

A Marine Administrative Message was sent out July 12 revealing special leave conditions for those who participated in conflicts abroad. According to MARADMIN 326/03, those who were deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom are entitled to 30 days of special leave. For the Marines who participated in these

Marines take to Korean sky

A Hawaiian Marine unit took to the skies over the Korean peninsula to expand it's training and gain experience with new terrain while deployed to Osan, South Korea. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 from Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, landed here July 7 and left on Monday to continue their six-month Unit Deployment Program. The Red

MWSS-171, CSSD-36 train at Fuji

Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Combat Service Support Detachment 36 and other supporting units who participated in Cloud Warrior 2003 at Camp Fuji, Japan returned to the Station July 12 with dirt on their face and motivation coursing through their veins. The Marines from both units spent 30 days out in the Camp Fuji training area