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Marines

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Honoring the Legacy

The constant echoes of hammers and saws fade after a long sixteen hours of sweat and tears, dusk begins to fall. The scent of fresh wood and paint lingers in the air. Marines stand in silence with a sense of pride, looking at a legacy that will carry on for generations of United States Marine Corps military working dog handlers. Eight wooden

Lance Cpl. Christopher Benon: CBRN Specialist

Oxygen hisses softly through the gas mask as it seals. Temperature rises. Breathing becomes effort. The weight of gear presses into shoulders already used to carrying the load of a Marine’s standard kit. For those in the CBRN field, this environment is familiar – uncomfortable, demanding and unforgiving. Every action requires sharp focus and

Hardworking Excellence: Iwakuni Marine Receives Hathcock II Award

In a field where excellence is expected and few stand out, one Marine exceeded those standards and earned the prestigious Carlos Hathcock Award for 2025.The Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II Award recognizes enlisted Marines or units who have shown extraordinary contribution to the improvement of small arms weapons systems as well as

The First Line of Defense: How Iwakuni’s BASH Team Safeguards the Airfield

Before the first aircraft departs the runway, another mission is already underway. At first light, the Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) team begins their patrols, headlights sweeping across the perimeter road as they scan the horizon. Their task is not widely known, but ever so important: keep the skies clear so every takeoff and landing

MCAS Iwakuni SMP Kintaikyo Bridge Clean-up

Being stationed far from home, especially in a foreign country, can be daunting for some service members. Volunteer events offer Marines and Sailors a meaningful way to adjust to life in Japan while building friendships and engaging with their community.“The main focus is always the quality of life of the Marines and Sailors here,” said Arturo

Tethered by Tragedy. United by Memory

On July 28, 1945, the B‑24 Liberator the “Lonesome Lady” launched from the Yontan Airfield in Okinawa on a mission targeting the Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Haruna at Kure Harbor. During their mission in Kure, the aircraft was struck by retaliatory anti-aircraft fire from the battleship Haruna after dropping her bombs, later crashing in the

MCAS Iwakuni ARFF Multinational Crash Damaged or Disabled Aircraft Recovery training

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), recently recognized for being the Medium Fire Department of the Year for the third consecutive year, hosted a multinational training event that brought together fire and emergency response teams from across the globe. This initiative reflects the department’s continued

Compassion in Action: Ombudsman Katie Mintz Receives 2024 Dorothy Flatley Award

Ombudsman are often described as vital, and essential, serving as the bridge between service members and their families. Working quietly behind the scenes, they provide clarity when communication falters - especially during deployments or times of crisis.For Katie Mintz, a Washington native and ombudsman for Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, every

MCAS Iwakuni SMP Kintaikyo Bridge Clean-up

Being stationed far from home, especially in a foreign country, can be daunting for some service members. Volunteer events offer Marines and Sailors a meaningful way to adjust to life in Japan while building friendships and engaging with their community.“The main focus is always the quality of life of the Marines and Sailors here,” said Arturo

Marukoyama Memorial Ceremony Honors 80 Years of Reflection, Healing, and Friendship

On April 3, 2025, U.S. Marines and Sailors from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni joined local residents in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, to mark the 80th anniversary of a tragic World War II aircraft crash. Together, they honored a moment in history that has since become a powerful symbol of reconciliation and shared humanity.On