Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

The Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport Use Promotion Council and distinguished guests celebrate the addition of two new flights to the Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport March 27, 2016. The celebration included an Eisaa Okinawa Drum Demonstration, a Ryuky-Koku-Matsuri Daiko Drum performance and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Distinguished guests expressed their appreciation toward the Ministry of Defense; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; MCAS Iwakuni and other organizations involved in the adoption of these new flights. The airport and additional flights will contribute to the exchange of people and culture among Iwakuni, Okinawa and other countries in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio/Released) - The Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport Use Promotion Council and distinguished guests celebrate the addition of two new flights to the Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport March 27, 2016. The celebration included an Eisaa Okinawa Drum Demonstration, a Ryuky-Koku-Matsuri Daiko Drum performance and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Distinguished guests expressed their appreciation toward the Ministry of Defense; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; MCAS Iwakuni and other organizations involved in the adoption of these new flights. The airport and additional flights will contribute to the exchange of people and culture among Iwakuni, Okinawa and other countries in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio/Released)

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. 1st Class Iwamoto, Japanese interpreter instructor, throws a rubber grenade while conducting a combat fitness test during the Public Affairs Office’s annual English seminar on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 16, 2016. The seminar is held annually by the station Public Affairs Office to help improve upon the JGSDF’s understanding and use of the English language prior to their deployment in support of exercises in both the United States and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio/Released) - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. 1st Class Iwamoto, Japanese interpreter instructor, throws a rubber grenade while conducting a combat fitness test during the Public Affairs Office’s annual English seminar on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 16, 2016. The seminar is held annually by the station Public Affairs Office to help improve upon the JGSDF’s understanding and use of the English language prior to their deployment in support of exercises in both the United States and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio/Released)

Ambassador Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, U.S. ambassador to Japan, speaks to Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 28, 2016. This is Ambassador Kennedy’s first official visit to MCAS Iwakuni. While at the squadron’s hangar, Kennedy viewed a KC-130J Super Hercules, gaining an understanding on the multiple capabilities of the aircraft in the Pacific theater. This visit also helped the ambassador better understand MCAS Iwakuni’s community and witness the ongoing transformation of the air station through the multitude of construction projects. - Ambassador Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, U.S. ambassador to Japan, speaks to Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 28, 2016. This is Ambassador Kennedy’s first official visit to MCAS Iwakuni. While at the squadron’s hangar, Kennedy viewed a KC-130J Super Hercules, gaining an understanding on the multiple capabilities of the aircraft in the Pacific theater. This visit also helped the ambassador better understand MCAS Iwakuni’s community and witness the ongoing transformation of the air station through the multitude of construction projects.

Marines with Combat Logistics Company 36 inspect Santa’s sleigh before kicking off the annual 1.5k Jingle Bell Jog at the IronWorks Gym, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The Jingle Bell Jog is an event for service members and their families to show off their holiday spirit as they run through the station. Events like this help raise spirits and build camaraderie during the holiday season while most service members are away from their families. - Marines with Combat Logistics Company 36 inspect Santa’s sleigh before kicking off the annual 1.5k Jingle Bell Jog at the IronWorks Gym, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The Jingle Bell Jog is an event for service members and their families to show off their holiday spirit as they run through the station. Events like this help raise spirits and build camaraderie during the holiday season while most service members are away from their families.

A Marine from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 assists Sgt. Deedmund Nettles, left, food service specialist with MWSS-171, in removing his personal protective equipment during Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The course covered topics such as the hazards associated with working around chemicals, how to locate information on different chemicals, and the four aspects of planning and organizing a hazardous waste site, which are organizational structure, work plan, safety meetings and inspections. This training provided Marines with the proper knowledge to identify contain and clean up hazardous materials. - A Marine from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 assists Sgt. Deedmund Nettles, left, food service specialist with MWSS-171, in removing his personal protective equipment during Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The course covered topics such as the hazards associated with working around chemicals, how to locate information on different chemicals, and the four aspects of planning and organizing a hazardous waste site, which are organizational structure, work plan, safety meetings and inspections. This training provided Marines with the proper knowledge to identify contain and clean up hazardous materials.

Paul Halstead, left, receives his certificate of naturalization from Kim Shipley, right, special assistant at International Operations of United States Citizens and Immigration Services at the Building One Auditorium at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 5, 2015. In order to become a U.S. citizen, recipients must speak and know English, have good moral character, have knowledge of the U.S. government and history and take the Oath of Allegiance. - Paul Halstead, left, receives his certificate of naturalization from Kim Shipley, right, special assistant at International Operations of United States Citizens and Immigration Services at the Building One Auditorium at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 5, 2015. In order to become a U.S. citizen, recipients must speak and know English, have good moral character, have knowledge of the U.S. government and history and take the Oath of Allegiance.

Station volunteers and orphans from Garden of Light Children’s Home in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, trick-or-treat during a Halloween event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Oct. 31, 2015. During their visit, 50 station volunteers escorted 15 orphans to a haunted house operated by Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, enjoyed bonding over dinner and trick-or-treating around the air station. While trick-or-treating, visitors and volunteers could see how station residents celebrate the spooky holiday, from the eccentric costumes to the decorated houses. - Station volunteers and orphans from Garden of Light Children’s Home in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, trick-or-treat during a Halloween event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Oct. 31, 2015. During their visit, 50 station volunteers escorted 15 orphans to a haunted house operated by Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, enjoyed bonding over dinner and trick-or-treating around the air station. While trick-or-treating, visitors and volunteers could see how station residents celebrate the spooky holiday, from the eccentric costumes to the decorated houses.

Marines congregate after receiving their issued rifles during Strategic Mobility Exercise 16 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19-23, 2015. STRATMOBEX tests the ability of the Marines and their units to deploy to an area in need of assistance in a timely manner. - Marines congregate after receiving their issued rifles during Strategic Mobility Exercise 16 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19-23, 2015. STRATMOBEX tests the ability of the Marines and their units to deploy to an area in need of assistance in a timely manner.

Matthew C. Perry Elementary teachers and adult volunteers took part in an official attempt to break a Guinness World Record aimed to raise awareness about literacy by reading to M.C. Perry’s 1st, 4th and 5th graders at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19, 2015. By working across time zones and continents, Points of Light, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Deloitte and hundreds of other organizations hope to read to the most children ever in a 24 hour period. Read Across the Globe is an event during this literacy-awareness week that brings the power of volunteers together to impact literacy in local communities. To help enhance student’s literacy, the official book selection for Read Across the Globe is “Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table” by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, a story of how a former basketball star transformed an empty lot into a way to feed his community. - Matthew C. Perry Elementary teachers and adult volunteers took part in an official attempt to break a Guinness World Record aimed to raise awareness about literacy by reading to M.C. Perry’s 1st, 4th and 5th graders at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19, 2015. By working across time zones and continents, Points of Light, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Deloitte and hundreds of other organizations hope to read to the most children ever in a 24 hour period. Read Across the Globe is an event during this literacy-awareness week that brings the power of volunteers together to impact literacy in local communities. To help enhance student’s literacy, the official book selection for Read Across the Globe is “Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table” by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, a story of how a former basketball star transformed an empty lot into a way to feed his community.

Station Volunteers look for trash at Futashika Umezu Falls, in Futashika, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Oct. 16, 2015. The Single Marine Program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, provides residents volunteer opportunities to build relations with Japanese locals and experience part of the foreign culture. Volunteers enjoyed the scenery of the forest, river and waterfalls, as they picked up trash and debris along the river. - Station Volunteers look for trash at Futashika Umezu Falls, in Futashika, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Oct. 16, 2015. The Single Marine Program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, provides residents volunteer opportunities to build relations with Japanese locals and experience part of the foreign culture. Volunteers enjoyed the scenery of the forest, river and waterfalls, as they picked up trash and debris along the river.