News Stories

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Conducts Patriot Advanced Capability-3 training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni - Service members with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) 2nd Air Defense Missile Group, set up the MIM-104 Patriot missile system during Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) deployment training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 29, 2017. PAC-3 is a surface-to-air missile defense system, which provides a highly reactive hit-to-kill capability in both range and altitude while operating in all environments. This training displays the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance and demonstrates the JASDF’s ability to rapidly deploy multiple defense assets to U.S. military installations across Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rodney Harris, right, an aircraft rescue firefighter with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), explains to Lance Cpl. Dahee Park, an aircraft rescue firefighter with H&HS, how to put out an external fire on an F/A-18C Hornet at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 19, 2017. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines visited the display to familiarize themselves with the aircraft so they can be more efficient in emergency situations. (U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rodney Harris, right, an aircraft rescue firefighter with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), explains to Lance Cpl. Dahee Park, an aircraft rescue firefighter with H&HS, how to put out an external fire on an F/A-18C Hornet at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 19, 2017. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines visited the display to familiarize themselves with the aircraft so they can be more efficient in emergency situations. (U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

Explosive ordnance disposal Marines conducted emergency destruct training at Target Island, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 14, 2017. The island is located near the air station and is used as a training site for EOD Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez) - Explosive ordnance disposal Marines conducted emergency destruct training at Target Island, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 14, 2017. The island is located near the air station and is used as a training site for EOD Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, provide security during a patrol while participating in exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 17, 2017. Eagle Wrath 2017 is a two-week training evolution focusing on air base ground defense, establishing forward operating bases and forward arming and refueling points in an austere environment as a way to support Marine Aircraft Group 12. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell) - U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, provide security during a patrol while participating in exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 17, 2017. Eagle Wrath 2017 is a two-week training evolution focusing on air base ground defense, establishing forward operating bases and forward arming and refueling points in an austere environment as a way to support Marine Aircraft Group 12. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeffery Aceti, left, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, assists Cosme Rosete, a Junior Recruit Day participant, with the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer’s M2 .50 caliber heavy-machine gun during Marine Aircraft Group 12’s Junior Recruit Day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 21, 2017. The purpose of Junior Recruit Day is to increase family readiness in the community by showing children and young adults what their parents do on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Mason Roy) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeffery Aceti, left, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, assists Cosme Rosete, a Junior Recruit Day participant, with the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer’s M2 .50 caliber heavy-machine gun during Marine Aircraft Group 12’s Junior Recruit Day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 21, 2017. The purpose of Junior Recruit Day is to increase family readiness in the community by showing children and young adults what their parents do on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Mason Roy)

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)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 communicate to each other after loading quadcon shipping containers onto a seven-ton medium tactical vehicle replacement during exercise Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 at Haramura Maneuver Area, Hiroshima, Japan, Jan. 27, 2017. The Marines worked through inclement weather conditions and a short timeline to build a 96-foot by 96-foot vertical takeoff and landing pad. The exercise is a biannual, unit-level training exercise that is primarily focused on establishing a forward operating base and providing airfield operation services. MWSS-171 trains throughout the year completing exercises like Kamoshika Wrath to enhance their technical skills, field experience and military occupational specialty capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Donato Maffin) - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 communicate to each other after loading quadcon shipping containers onto a seven-ton medium tactical vehicle replacement during exercise Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 at Haramura Maneuver Area, Hiroshima, Japan, Jan. 27, 2017. The Marines worked through inclement weather conditions and a short timeline to build a 96-foot by 96-foot vertical takeoff and landing pad. The exercise is a biannual, unit-level training exercise that is primarily focused on establishing a forward operating base and providing airfield operation services. MWSS-171 trains throughout the year completing exercises like Kamoshika Wrath to enhance their technical skills, field experience and military occupational specialty capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Donato Maffin)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 move a flood light through the mud during exercise Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Haramura Maneuver Area in Hiroshima, Japan, Jan. 22, 2017. The exercise is a biannual, unit-level training exercise that is primarily focused on establishing a forward operating base and providing airfield operation services. MWSS-171 trains throughout the year completing exercises like Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 to enhance their technical skills, field experience and military occupational specialty capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Donato Maffin) - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 move a flood light through the mud during exercise Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Haramura Maneuver Area in Hiroshima, Japan, Jan. 22, 2017. The exercise is a biannual, unit-level training exercise that is primarily focused on establishing a forward operating base and providing airfield operation services. MWSS-171 trains throughout the year completing exercises like Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 to enhance their technical skills, field experience and military occupational specialty capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Donato Maffin)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. George Price, an Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team (MMT) instructor with Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 4 Detachment Bravo, directs a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 during a landing as part of aircraft landing zone training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 21, 2016. The training allows the Marines to gain experience, practice constructing an expeditionary airfield, and complete training and readiness requirements. The MMT Marines conduct this training every three to six months to refine the Marines’ skills, keeping them ready for expeditionary operations while in a garrison environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. George Price, an Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team (MMT) instructor with Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 4 Detachment Bravo, directs a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 during a landing as part of aircraft landing zone training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 21, 2016. The training allows the Marines to gain experience, practice constructing an expeditionary airfield, and complete training and readiness requirements. The MMT Marines conduct this training every three to six months to refine the Marines’ skills, keeping them ready for expeditionary operations while in a garrison environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)