News Stories

MCAS Iwakuni, Iwakuni City friendship runs deep - Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Japanese children play dodgeball in Iwakuni City, Japan, July 21, 2018. The Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau held a U.S.-Japan Sports Exchange to signify the opening of Go-Go Field to the public in an effort to deepen the bond between the residents surrounding MCAS Iwakuni and the U.S. forces in Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

Japanese, Americans participate in triathlon - A participant in the 30th annual Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Triathlon hosted by Marine Corps Community Services Iwakuni, races during the 23-kilometer bicycle portion of the event at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 24, 2017. Marine Corps Community Services Iwakuni hosted the triathlon to energize the community and provide a positive experience through friendly competition. The event was composed of a 1-kilometer swim, a 23-kilometer bike ride and 8-kilometer run. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Carrie White, the Provost Marshal’s Office training chief with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, conducts the prone 300 yard shuttle during the third annual High Intensity Tactical Training championship preliminaries at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2017. The event brought together the Marine Corps’ toughest male and female athletes to face off in obstacles that test their speed, endurance, strength and agility. Preliminary winners are slated to fly from their respective installations to compete at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, August 28-31, 2017, to be crowned the ‘Ultimate Tactical Athlete.’ (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Carrie White, the Provost Marshal’s Office training chief with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, conducts the prone 300 yard shuttle during the third annual High Intensity Tactical Training championship preliminaries at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2017. The event brought together the Marine Corps’ toughest male and female athletes to face off in obstacles that test their speed, endurance, strength and agility. Preliminary winners are slated to fly from their respective installations to compete at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, August 28-31, 2017, to be crowned the ‘Ultimate Tactical Athlete.’ (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Rebecca Messex, a food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, poses for a photo with a meal she prepared during a Food Service Specialist of the Quarter competition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 13, 2017. Messex placed first in the competition and was selected for an opportunity to compete in the Marine Corps Installations Pacific Food Service Specialist of the Quarter Board to be held on April 19, 2017, in Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Rebecca Messex, a food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, poses for a photo with a meal she prepared during a Food Service Specialist of the Quarter competition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 13, 2017. Messex placed first in the competition and was selected for an opportunity to compete in the Marine Corps Installations Pacific Food Service Specialist of the Quarter Board to be held on April 19, 2017, in Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

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)

Col. Richard F. Fuerst, station commanding officer for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, addresses station residents and Japanese locals during the U.S-Japan Children Soccer event at the Suo-Oshima Athletic Field in Suo-Oshima, Japan, Oct. 1, 2016. As part of a good keeping with the U.S.-Japan relationship, soccer was used to break the barrier of communication through words and teach children communication through actions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - Col. Richard F. Fuerst, station commanding officer for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, addresses station residents and Japanese locals during the U.S-Japan Children Soccer event at the Suo-Oshima Athletic Field in Suo-Oshima, Japan, Oct. 1, 2016. As part of a good keeping with the U.S.-Japan relationship, soccer was used to break the barrier of communication through words and teach children communication through actions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Station residents and Japanese participants begin a half marathon during the 49th Kintai Marathon on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan April 17, 2016. With more than 500 athletes, the marathon is one of the few events that invites Japanese citizens on the air station and provides a great opportunity for MCAS Iwakuni personnel to show support of their host nation through running, said Mai Tajima, SemperFit recreation specialist. The full marathon first place for the men was Yoshihisa Nagashita, 34, completing at 2 hours, 40 minutes, 21 seconds, and for the women was Hitomi Matsubara, 45, completing at 3:27:25. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan D. Wicks /Released) - Station residents and Japanese participants begin a half marathon during the 49th Kintai Marathon on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan April 17, 2016. With more than 500 athletes, the marathon is one of the few events that invites Japanese citizens on the air station and provides a great opportunity for MCAS Iwakuni personnel to show support of their host nation through running, said Mai Tajima, SemperFit recreation specialist. The full marathon first place for the men was Yoshihisa Nagashita, 34, completing at 2 hours, 40 minutes, 21 seconds, and for the women was Hitomi Matsubara, 45, completing at 3:27:25. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan D. Wicks /Released)

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Matthew C. Perry High School conduct drill practice at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2016. The JROTC cadets took top honors during the Far East Marksmanship Competition at Camp Humphreys, Korea, Feb. 14-16, 2016, and the drill competition at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, Nov. 16-18, 2015. During the drill competition, M.C. Perry cadets placed first in uniform inspection and armed regulation, second in unarmed and armed exhibitions, and third place in unarmed regulation and color guard. After finishing with two 3rd place victories, two 2nd place victories, and two 1st place victories, the cadets achieved 1st place overall. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Matthew C. Perry High School conduct drill practice at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2016. The JROTC cadets took top honors during the Far East Marksmanship Competition at Camp Humphreys, Korea, Feb. 14-16, 2016, and the drill competition at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, Nov. 16-18, 2015. During the drill competition, M.C. Perry cadets placed first in uniform inspection and armed regulation, second in unarmed and armed exhibitions, and third place in unarmed regulation and color guard. After finishing with two 3rd place victories, two 2nd place victories, and two 1st place victories, the cadets achieved 1st place overall. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron participate in a 5k supply run during the Frozen Chosin Competition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 25, 2016. Teams consisting of six members completed a series of events including a pull up and sit up contest, a 5k supply run, a 600 meter swim, 250 meter sprint then constructing and presenting professional military education. According to Lance Cpl. Klayton Inmon, personnel administration clerk at the Installation Personnel Administration Center outbound management branch, competition builds Marines physically and mentally by pushing them past their limits and allowing them to accomplish the mission. - Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron participate in a 5k supply run during the Frozen Chosin Competition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 25, 2016. Teams consisting of six members completed a series of events including a pull up and sit up contest, a 5k supply run, a 600 meter swim, 250 meter sprint then constructing and presenting professional military education. According to Lance Cpl. Klayton Inmon, personnel administration clerk at the Installation Personnel Administration Center outbound management branch, competition builds Marines physically and mentally by pushing them past their limits and allowing them to accomplish the mission.

Japanese children from schools in the local area and children from Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, participate in the Japan-U.S. Friendship Kid's Soccer Event coordinated by the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau at the Suo-Oshima Town Athletics Track and Field in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 27, 2015. This annual event serves as an opportunity for American and Japanese children to interact and help build bonds between the people of the U.S. and Japan. - Japanese children from schools in the local area and children from Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, participate in the Japan-U.S. Friendship Kid's Soccer Event coordinated by the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau at the Suo-Oshima Town Athletics Track and Field in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 27, 2015. This annual event serves as an opportunity for American and Japanese children to interact and help build bonds between the people of the U.S. and Japan.