News Stories

An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 takes off from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, March 22, 2017. The squadron left MCAS Miramar, Calif., March 11, 2017, and arrived at MCAS Iwakuni March 15. The squadron is part of the Unit Deployment Program and helps provide air support to III Marine Expeditionary Force through training and combat operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 takes off from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, March 22, 2017. The squadron left MCAS Miramar, Calif., March 11, 2017, and arrived at MCAS Iwakuni March 15. The squadron is part of the Unit Deployment Program and helps provide air support to III Marine Expeditionary Force through training and combat operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

A player from the Higashi Junior High School basketball team dribbles the ball down the court during the Friendly Basketball Tournament at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 25, 2017. The tournament was composed of six junior high school teams and bridged the gap of two cultures by helping children make new friends through a common interest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Stephen Campbell) - A player from the Higashi Junior High School basketball team dribbles the ball down the court during the Friendly Basketball Tournament at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 25, 2017. The tournament was composed of six junior high school teams and bridged the gap of two cultures by helping children make new friends through a common interest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Stephen Campbell)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Ysac Perez, the air base ground defense staff non-commissioned officer in charge for Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, observes how Marines deal with the set objectives during exercise Tanuki Wrath on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 22, 2017. MWSS-171 conducted the exercise to help train Marines to set up security around a downed aircraft and how to control a riot. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Ysac Perez, the air base ground defense staff non-commissioned officer in charge for Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, observes how Marines deal with the set objectives during exercise Tanuki Wrath on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 22, 2017. MWSS-171 conducted the exercise to help train Marines to set up security around a downed aircraft and how to control a riot. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo)

Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 conducts low-level static line parachute drops in the Philippines. VMGR-152, also known as the Sumos, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2017. Throughout the past seven and a half decades, VMGR-152 made its mark in Marine Corps history, accrediting their success to countless missions the squadron has flown during both combat support and humanitarian aid. (Courtesy photo) - Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 conducts low-level static line parachute drops in the Philippines. VMGR-152, also known as the Sumos, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2017. Throughout the past seven and a half decades, VMGR-152 made its mark in Marine Corps history, accrediting their success to countless missions the squadron has flown during both combat support and humanitarian aid. (Courtesy photo)

Japanese children from the Shunan International Children’s Club perform the “Sakura Dance” during the Japanese Cultural Exchange Program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 20, 2017. The “Sakura Dance” is a traditional dance depicting the season of cherry blossoms in Japan and demonstrates their unique culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Stephen Campbell) - Japanese children from the Shunan International Children’s Club perform the “Sakura Dance” during the Japanese Cultural Exchange Program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 20, 2017. The “Sakura Dance” is a traditional dance depicting the season of cherry blossoms in Japan and demonstrates their unique culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Stephen Campbell)

The Matthew C. Perry and Yokota High School soccer teams bow to one another after their match during the Perry Cup Soccer Tournament 2017 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 18, 2017. This is a formality every team did to one another after each game. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Stephen Campbell) - The Matthew C. Perry and Yokota High School soccer teams bow to one another after their match during the Perry Cup Soccer Tournament 2017 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 18, 2017. This is a formality every team did to one another after each game. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Stephen Campbell)

Pfc. Scott Lohndorf, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, poses for a photo during the 23rd Annual All Japan Self-Defense Force Wrestling Tournament closing ceremony in Camp Asaka, Japan. Lohndorf wrestled with the “Seahawks” Navy Wrestling Team from Fleet Activities Yokosuka and took 2nd place in the 86kg weight class division. (Courtesy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anthony R. Martinez) - Pfc. Scott Lohndorf, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, poses for a photo during the 23rd Annual All Japan Self-Defense Force Wrestling Tournament closing ceremony in Camp Asaka, Japan. Lohndorf wrestled with the “Seahawks” Navy Wrestling Team from Fleet Activities Yokosuka and took 2nd place in the 86kg weight class division. (Courtesy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anthony R. Martinez)

Dimitri Jelobkovitch, a participant in the cooking class, slices vegetables during a cultural exchange at Tsuzu Elementary School at Iwakuni City, Japan, March 11, 2017. During the event, a traditional tea ceremony was demonstrated and a cooking class was held to teach people how to make common Japanese dishes. The event, which brought Americans and Japanese together, taught residents from MCAS Iwakuni about Japanese culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - Dimitri Jelobkovitch, a participant in the cooking class, slices vegetables during a cultural exchange at Tsuzu Elementary School at Iwakuni City, Japan, March 11, 2017. During the event, a traditional tea ceremony was demonstrated and a cooking class was held to teach people how to make common Japanese dishes. The event, which brought Americans and Japanese together, taught residents from MCAS Iwakuni about Japanese culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

The Matthew C. Perry Lady Samurai soccer team poses for a photo during the Western Japan Athletic Association Girls Soccer Tournament on the M.C. Perry Sports Field at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 11, 2017. The team played a total of five games without allowing their opponents to score. This is the second year the Lady Samurai have won the tournament. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Pfc. Stephen Campbell) - The Matthew C. Perry Lady Samurai soccer team poses for a photo during the Western Japan Athletic Association Girls Soccer Tournament on the M.C. Perry Sports Field at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 11, 2017. The team played a total of five games without allowing their opponents to score. This is the second year the Lady Samurai have won the tournament. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Pfc. Stephen Campbell)

Local Japanese volunteers with the Japanese American Society perform the Eisa Okinawan Dance during the 60th Annual Culture Festival at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 11, 2017. The festival included Japanese dance performances, decorated exhibits and traditional activities and rituals. JAS continues to bridge the U.S.-Japan friendship by providing quality cultural events and activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez) - Local Japanese volunteers with the Japanese American Society perform the Eisa Okinawan Dance during the 60th Annual Culture Festival at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 11, 2017. The festival included Japanese dance performances, decorated exhibits and traditional activities and rituals. JAS continues to bridge the U.S.-Japan friendship by providing quality cultural events and activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)