News Stories

Police Lt. Muneyuki Hirao, a police dog trainer at Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters, and his K-9 search for hidden explosives during a joint training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 17, 2016. K-9’s are trained on scent boxes in order to get them familiar with the different scents of various explosives. The location and types of training are changed each time to broaden the capabilities of the dogs as well as the handlers. - Police Lt. Muneyuki Hirao, a police dog trainer at Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters, and his K-9 search for hidden explosives during a joint training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 17, 2016. K-9’s are trained on scent boxes in order to get them familiar with the different scents of various explosives. The location and types of training are changed each time to broaden the capabilities of the dogs as well as the handlers.

Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, outbound Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 sergeant major, addresses the audience during his relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 12, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of Richardson’s role as MALS-12 sergeant major after assuming the role in June 2014. - Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, outbound Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 sergeant major, addresses the audience during his relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 12, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of Richardson’s role as MALS-12 sergeant major after assuming the role in June 2014.

The Fukugawa Elementary School marching band performs at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during a cultural exchange Feb. 11, 2016. Fukugawa Elementary School is a member of the Shunan International Children’s Club that visits M.C. Perry Elementary School annually. The 6th annual performance included karate, traditional Japanese dance, a marching band and musical choir. - The Fukugawa Elementary School marching band performs at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during a cultural exchange Feb. 11, 2016. Fukugawa Elementary School is a member of the Shunan International Children’s Club that visits M.C. Perry Elementary School annually. The 6th annual performance included karate, traditional Japanese dance, a marching band and musical choir.

Mandie Woods, left, and April Rosales, residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni dig lotus roots during a cultural adaptation program at Yamaguchi’s Agricultural, Forestry, Fisheries, and Stockbreeding in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 10, 2016. After learning about lotus roots, residents along with other Japanese nationals took to the fields to dig up their own. - Mandie Woods, left, and April Rosales, residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni dig lotus roots during a cultural adaptation program at Yamaguchi’s Agricultural, Forestry, Fisheries, and Stockbreeding in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 10, 2016. After learning about lotus roots, residents along with other Japanese nationals took to the fields to dig up their own.

The Marine Aircraft Group 12 color guard marches in formation during a Sgt. Maj. Sergio MartinezRuiz’s relief and appointment ceremony at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 5, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of MartinezRuiz’s tour after assuming the role of MAG-12’s sergeant major in May of 2014. - The Marine Aircraft Group 12 color guard marches in formation during a Sgt. Maj. Sergio MartinezRuiz’s relief and appointment ceremony at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 5, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of MartinezRuiz’s tour after assuming the role of MAG-12’s sergeant major in May of 2014.

From left to right, Jenny Reese, assistant principal at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, Jessica Blackston and Kenji Brunson, students at M.C. Perry Elementary School and Arturo Rivera, principal at M.C. Perry Elementary School receive a box of mikans from Motoi Yoshimura, right, leading board director and union president at the Yamaguchi Oshima Agricultural Cooperative Association during the 6th Annual Mikan Presentation at M.C. Perry at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 1, 2016. Mikans are orange citrus fruits that resemble tangerines and are a symbol of Japan’s agricultural export business. The event provided students and staff the opportunity to strengthen their bond with Iwakuni residents. - From left to right, Jenny Reese, assistant principal at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, Jessica Blackston and Kenji Brunson, students at M.C. Perry Elementary School and Arturo Rivera, principal at M.C. Perry Elementary School receive a box of mikans from Motoi Yoshimura, right, leading board director and union president at the Yamaguchi Oshima Agricultural Cooperative Association during the 6th Annual Mikan Presentation at M.C. Perry at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 1, 2016. Mikans are orange citrus fruits that resemble tangerines and are a symbol of Japan’s agricultural export business. The event provided students and staff the opportunity to strengthen their bond with Iwakuni residents.

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.

Station residents run toward the finish line during the 8th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. 2.5k run or walk at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 16, 2016. The Youth and Teen Center started this event in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to provide residents another opportunity to be active within the community. The YTC provides station residents with various opportunities to participate and volunteer for events. - Station residents run toward the finish line during the 8th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. 2.5k run or walk at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 16, 2016. The Youth and Teen Center started this event in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to provide residents another opportunity to be active within the community. The YTC provides station residents with various opportunities to participate and volunteer for events.

From left to right, Brad Arnold, Justin Biltonen, and Chet Roberts, members of 3 Doors Down, perform during a free concert for residents of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 14, 2016. Members of the band said they do these tours in order to give back to the men and women who have already given so much. - From left to right, Brad Arnold, Justin Biltonen, and Chet Roberts, members of 3 Doors Down, perform during a free concert for residents of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 14, 2016. Members of the band said they do these tours in order to give back to the men and women who have already given so much.

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni home-schoolers pose for a group picture with the Calligraphy Club from Kannon High School, Hiroshima, during a calligraphy event at the Waki General Community Center in Waki Town, Japan, Jan. 4, 2016. This event allowed the home-schoolers to learn about the culture that they are now a part of. Community relations events like these help bolster the relationship between the station and the local Japanese community. - Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni home-schoolers pose for a group picture with the Calligraphy Club from Kannon High School, Hiroshima, during a calligraphy event at the Waki General Community Center in Waki Town, Japan, Jan. 4, 2016. This event allowed the home-schoolers to learn about the culture that they are now a part of. Community relations events like these help bolster the relationship between the station and the local Japanese community.