News Stories

Americans, Japanese relay message of friendship - Yoshinbu Tanimoto, left, a Hiroshima resident, and Kathy Chretian, a teacher at Iwakuni Elementary School, pose for a photo during the Iwakuni Friendship Relay Marathon in Iwakuni City, Japan, March 18, 2018. The marathon relay was a family-friendly event open to all ages. Many teams wore themed costumes from popular films, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and friendly competition. Events like this strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Japan and represent the purpose of Kizuna Stadium, where the event was held. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Jones)

MCAS Iwakuni residents, Japanese locals bond through calligraphy event - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Fuerst, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japanese government officials and participants pose for a photo as part of the U.S.-Japan joint calligraphy event, “Kakizome,” at Waki Town, Japan, Jan. 6, 2018. The purpose of the event was to bring the Japanese and American community together by sharing cultural values through art. “Kakizome” is a tradition the Japanese people participate in at the beginning of each year, and it resembles what is known in the Western Hemisphere as a New Year’s resolution. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

Japanese American Society celebrates 60th anniversary in holiday party - Rasetsu ninja performers from Hiroshima take a photo with kids during the Japanese American Society (JAS) Iwakuni Holiday and 60th Anniversary Party at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 2, 2017. The party was a way for Japanese locals and MCAS Iwakuni residents to spend some time getting to know one another by combining their cultures and sharing a night of celebrating the holidays and 60 years of JAS. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Marcus Campbell)

VMGR-152 descends on California ready to conquer El Centro Horizon - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Eric Brown, a KC-130J Hercules pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, conducts routine checks while flying to Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif. for unit-level training, Nov. 30, 2017. Successful completion of El Centro Horizon will enhance unit combat readiness, help to maintain the high level of proficiency of VMGR-152 and provide instructor certifications. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

VMFA-121 trains to fuel airpower in contaminated environments - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 conduct hot refuel on F-35B Lightning II aircraft while wearing Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear level four at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 15, 2017. The exercise trains Marines to keep aircraft in the fight while working inside a simulated-hazardous environment, and it enables Marines to refine their standard operating procedures while familiarizing them to operate in gear they aren’t used to. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

DPRI, MCCS hold grand opening of new gas station - U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Mariano Llantada, the staff non commissioned officer in charge of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, pumps fuel into his car during the grand opening of the new gas station at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 6, 2017. The gas station provides a secondary place for Status of Forces Agreement personnel to fuel their vehicles and facilitates other amenities such as coin-operated vacuums, a tire pressure check station and an automatic car wash. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Jones)

VMGR-152 conducts nighttime aerial refueling with VMFA-121, VMFA-251 - An F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 based out of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, conducts a nighttime aerial refueling training operation with a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 based out of MCAS Iwakuni Oct. 25, 2017. The training was conducted at night to improve operational readiness and enhance pilot proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

Japanese barbers cut through time - Chieko Murakami, left, Hisato Murakami, center, and Tomie Shigemura, barbers working at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, pose in front of the Torii Pines barber shop at the air station, Oct. 25, 2017. They are currently three of the oldest employed Japanese workers on base. Shigemura began working in 1970, and Hisato and his wife, Chieko, joined her a year later. After nearly half a century, these barbers have whizzed their clippers through the hairs of countless Marines. From the dog days of the Vietnam War to the ongoing War on Terror, they’ve buzzed their way through time at MCAS Iwakuni while watching it flourish, grow and transform in the process. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

Japanese, Americans build relationships in a unique way - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Milton Bridges, a Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni resident, and his daughter Taylor Bridges hold a white snake during a Cultural Adaptation trip to the White Snake Shrine in Iwakuni City, Japan, Sept. 15, 2017. Air station residents learned about the history and genetic makeup of the famed white snake species and were given the chance to touch and hold the snakes. Some of them eagerly volunteered to take their turn, while others were visibly nervous and even shook up. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

Students welcome new school year with new facilities - Dwayne Jefferson, principal of Iwakuni Elementary School, gives a speech to the students during the first day of school at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 30, 2017. The day marked the first time the school facility was going to be used since its construction finished this year, along with Matthew C. Perry Elementary School and Iwakuni Middle School. The new school facilities have been setup to benefit the students, faculty and staff. They are also capable of taking in more students as the MCAS Iwakuni population increases. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Donato Maffin)