Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Yuki Kintanaka, a student at Bunkyo Women’s University in Hiroshima, Japan, performs a traditional dance for Matthew C. Perry High School students at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Nov. 23, 2015. Bunkyo Women’s University students visited the station to learn about American culture as well as teach the American students a little about their own. School trips like this help the bond between Japan and the U.S. grow stronger. - Yuki Kintanaka, a student at Bunkyo Women’s University in Hiroshima, Japan, performs a traditional dance for Matthew C. Perry High School students at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Nov. 23, 2015. Bunkyo Women’s University students visited the station to learn about American culture as well as teach the American students a little about their own. School trips like this help the bond between Japan and the U.S. grow stronger.

Participants give one last war cry before marching off at the Kuragake Castle Festival in Kuga, Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 22, 2015. The festival honors the local Kuga samurai who urged their castle lord to take a last stand against a much larger enemy force. According to event coordinators, U.S. participants in the 26th annual Kuragake Castle Festival boosted the spirit of the festival and made the stage performance one of their most highlighted events. - Participants give one last war cry before marching off at the Kuragake Castle Festival in Kuga, Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 22, 2015. The festival honors the local Kuga samurai who urged their castle lord to take a last stand against a much larger enemy force. According to event coordinators, U.S. participants in the 26th annual Kuragake Castle Festival boosted the spirit of the festival and made the stage performance one of their most highlighted events.

Service members and firefighters practice decontaminating each other during the Hazardous Material Awareness and Operations course at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 19, 2015. This weeklong course gives participants the necessary knowledge and experience they need to be recognized as first responders in a HazMat incident. - Service members and firefighters practice decontaminating each other during the Hazardous Material Awareness and Operations course at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 19, 2015. This weeklong course gives participants the necessary knowledge and experience they need to be recognized as first responders in a HazMat incident.

Kaede Nursing Home residents painted Christmas ornaments during the National Honor Society’s visit to the home in Iwakuni Yamaguchi, Japan, Nov. 17, 2015. The National Honor Society students visited this home for the first time in 2014 and were invited to come back again. Events like this show the local community that station residents care about them and want to build bonds. - Kaede Nursing Home residents painted Christmas ornaments during the National Honor Society’s visit to the home in Iwakuni Yamaguchi, Japan, Nov. 17, 2015. The National Honor Society students visited this home for the first time in 2014 and were invited to come back again. Events like this show the local community that station residents care about them and want to build bonds.

1st Lt. Donovan Holloway, air intelligence officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, plays with a Japanese orphan during a Single Marine Program volunteer event at Kaihoku-En Children’s Home in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Nov. 14, 2015. The children interacted and built relationships with the 18 service members during the visit. The visit afforded the children the opportunity to meet new people and have an afternoon filled with interaction. - 1st Lt. Donovan Holloway, air intelligence officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, plays with a Japanese orphan during a Single Marine Program volunteer event at Kaihoku-En Children’s Home in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Nov. 14, 2015. The children interacted and built relationships with the 18 service members during the visit. The visit afforded the children the opportunity to meet new people and have an afternoon filled with interaction.

Service members from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron participate in a formation run aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov 10, 2015. The service members ran in celebration of the Marine Corps' 240th birthday. Approximately 80 participants ran three miles each in a 20 hour period to culminate a total of 237 miles before the squadron commanding officer and sergeant major led the final three miles in a celebratory formation run with squadron service members. - Service members from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron participate in a formation run aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov 10, 2015. The service members ran in celebration of the Marine Corps' 240th birthday. Approximately 80 participants ran three miles each in a 20 hour period to culminate a total of 237 miles before the squadron commanding officer and sergeant major led the final three miles in a celebratory formation run with squadron service members.

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.

A family races to the finish line during a Superhero Fun Run on the Seawall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 31, 2015. The 1.5K run allowed station residents to celebrate the Halloween festivities while being physically active. Snacks and beverages waited at the finish line as participants crossed. Once bellies were filled, families had the opportunity to take their photos with an outline of a comic-style city backdrop. - A family races to the finish line during a Superhero Fun Run on the Seawall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 31, 2015. The 1.5K run allowed station residents to celebrate the Halloween festivities while being physically active. Snacks and beverages waited at the finish line as participants crossed. Once bellies were filled, families had the opportunity to take their photos with an outline of a comic-style city backdrop.

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.

Service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Japanese children from Ekimae Hoikuen Pre-school visited the Vita Nursing Home in Iwakuni City, Oct. 27, 2015. The community relations event, hosted by the Marine Memorial Chapel on the air station, gave service members the opportunity to interact with the Japanese youth and teach them about Halloween. The children also recited the American and Japanese alphabets with the senior citizens at the nursing home. - Service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Japanese children from Ekimae Hoikuen Pre-school visited the Vita Nursing Home in Iwakuni City, Oct. 27, 2015. The community relations event, hosted by the Marine Memorial Chapel on the air station, gave service members the opportunity to interact with the Japanese youth and teach them about Halloween. The children also recited the American and Japanese alphabets with the senior citizens at the nursing home.