News Stories

Maj. William Smith, operations officer with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, answers questions from Iwakuni City Base Policy representatives, media and Government of Japan’s Ministry of Defense representatives immediately after a familiarization flight of a KC-130J Super Hercules, Aug. 28, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The visitors asked questions involving the aircraft’s mission, capabilities and functions, and also flew aboard the C-130 to gain a better understanding of its capabilities. - Maj. William Smith, operations officer with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, answers questions from Iwakuni City Base Policy representatives, media and Government of Japan’s Ministry of Defense representatives immediately after a familiarization flight of a KC-130J Super Hercules, Aug. 28, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The visitors asked questions involving the aircraft’s mission, capabilities and functions, and also flew aboard the C-130 to gain a better understanding of its capabilities.

Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 ordnance Marines watch a GTR-18 missile, better known as a "Smokey SAM," launch toward a KC-130J Super Hercules on an island outside of Okinawa, Japan, during a threat reaction evolution, Aug. 26, 2014. The threat reaction evolution is a chance for pilots to stay up to date on their qualifications while keeping an alert and aware mindset for any arising combat scenario. - Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 ordnance Marines watch a GTR-18 missile, better known as a "Smokey SAM," launch toward a KC-130J Super Hercules on an island outside of Okinawa, Japan, during a threat reaction evolution, Aug. 26, 2014. The threat reaction evolution is a chance for pilots to stay up to date on their qualifications while keeping an alert and aware mindset for any arising combat scenario.

Tommy Davidson and Miss Gayle, entertainers with Kenny Hill’s All Star Comedy Slam pose with Gunnery Sgt. Denver Inopiquez and his sons inside the Marine Corps Exchange aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2014. As part of the comedy slam, Davidson and Gayle Davidson are slated to tour the air station, as well as performing a live comedy show inside Club Iwakuni. - Tommy Davidson and Miss Gayle, entertainers with Kenny Hill’s All Star Comedy Slam pose with Gunnery Sgt. Denver Inopiquez and his sons inside the Marine Corps Exchange aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2014. As part of the comedy slam, Davidson and Gayle Davidson are slated to tour the air station, as well as performing a live comedy show inside Club Iwakuni.

Col. William Lieblein, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 31, and Lance Cpl. Dakota Cassell, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, inspect an F/A-18C aboard Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, August 25, 2014. Lieblein, who visited VMFA-122 from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., participated in the first flight of the squadron’s unit level training in Alaska. VMFA-122 arrived to Alaska from Hawaii and is scheduled to train with squadrons from the United States Air Force to enhance interoperability between services. - Col. William Lieblein, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 31, and Lance Cpl. Dakota Cassell, a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, inspect an F/A-18C aboard Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, August 25, 2014. Lieblein, who visited VMFA-122 from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., participated in the first flight of the squadron’s unit level training in Alaska. VMFA-122 arrived to Alaska from Hawaii and is scheduled to train with squadrons from the United States Air Force to enhance interoperability between services.

A Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 F/A-18C Hornet takes off from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, August 21, 2014. This was the last training flight for the squadron, nicknamed the “Werewolves,” during their unit level training on the island. The squadron participated in both Exercise Rim of the Pacific and ULT while part of the unit deployment program with Marine Aircraft Group 12, stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. - A Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 F/A-18C Hornet takes off from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, August 21, 2014. This was the last training flight for the squadron, nicknamed the “Werewolves,” during their unit level training on the island. The squadron participated in both Exercise Rim of the Pacific and ULT while part of the unit deployment program with Marine Aircraft Group 12, stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

Powerline mechanic Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 perform maintenance on a KC-130J Super Hercules aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 19, 2014. Upon VMGR-152’s relocation to MCAS Iwakuni from their former home of Okinawa, Japan, in July, the squadron now utilizes new facilities and gear, making mission accomplishment easier. - Powerline mechanic Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 perform maintenance on a KC-130J Super Hercules aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 19, 2014. Upon VMGR-152’s relocation to MCAS Iwakuni from their former home of Okinawa, Japan, in July, the squadron now utilizes new facilities and gear, making mission accomplishment easier.

A heavy equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 utilizes an All-Terrain Crane to lift a Humvee on to the deck of a barge at the harbor aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 16, 2014. In preparation for Exercise Forager Fury III, Marines with MWSS-171 loaded nearly 300 pieces of heavy equipment slated to be used for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat flight training, as well as combat support training. - A heavy equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 utilizes an All-Terrain Crane to lift a Humvee on to the deck of a barge at the harbor aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 16, 2014. In preparation for Exercise Forager Fury III, Marines with MWSS-171 loaded nearly 300 pieces of heavy equipment slated to be used for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat flight training, as well as combat support training.

Staff Sgt. Juan Ramirez, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and a Japanese local volunteer fill sandbags while cleaning up damage done by Typhoon Halong in Sunayamacho, Iwakuni, August 14, 2014. Typhoon Halong peaked as a Category 5 Super Typhoon, causing landslides, mudslides and heavy flooding, resulting in deaths, injuries, and damage throughout Japan. - Staff Sgt. Juan Ramirez, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and a Japanese local volunteer fill sandbags while cleaning up damage done by Typhoon Halong in Sunayamacho, Iwakuni, August 14, 2014. Typhoon Halong peaked as a Category 5 Super Typhoon, causing landslides, mudslides and heavy flooding, resulting in deaths, injuries, and damage throughout Japan.

Ashley Bell, a volunteer dental assistant with the American Red Cross, assists Lt. Phillip Jenkins, a dental officer with 11th Dental Company Detachment, while performing a teeth cleaning inside the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, August 13, 2014. The American Red Cross, in coordination with 11th Dental Company Detachment, offers Status of Forces Agreement civilians the opportunity to participate in the Dental Assisting Training Program aboard station. The program allows personnel to gain 500 hours toward becoming a certified dental assistant. - Ashley Bell, a volunteer dental assistant with the American Red Cross, assists Lt. Phillip Jenkins, a dental officer with 11th Dental Company Detachment, while performing a teeth cleaning inside the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, August 13, 2014. The American Red Cross, in coordination with 11th Dental Company Detachment, offers Status of Forces Agreement civilians the opportunity to participate in the Dental Assisting Training Program aboard station. The program allows personnel to gain 500 hours toward becoming a certified dental assistant.