Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

U.S. Marine Corps Courtesy Photo - Nicole Colburn, a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) art teacher at Iwakuni Intermediate School, looks around her classroom at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 12, 2024. A native of Shirley, Massachusetts, Colburn teaches art as a way to follow her passion for the history, culture, and creativity of art. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Peter Rawlins)

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)

Jeffrey Carr, Matthew C. Perry High School assistant principal, narrates as the symphonic band plays “The Night Before Christmas” during the annual holiday celebration concert at the Sakura Assembly Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. The concert showcased various musical groups from M.C. Perry and brought base residents, students and staff from Suo-Oshima Municipal Elementary School, Waki Junior High School and Otake Municipal Ogata Junior High School together. To start the concert, the symphonic band played “Angels We Have Heard on High” to approximately 300 guests inside the theater. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - Jeffrey Carr, Matthew C. Perry High School assistant principal, narrates as the symphonic band plays “The Night Before Christmas” during the annual holiday celebration concert at the Sakura Assembly Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. The concert showcased various musical groups from M.C. Perry and brought base residents, students and staff from Suo-Oshima Municipal Elementary School, Waki Junior High School and Otake Municipal Ogata Junior High School together. To start the concert, the symphonic band played “Angels We Have Heard on High” to approximately 300 guests inside the theater. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cody Braunscheidel, an aviation logistics information management systems specialist assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, explains multiplication to students at MacFarlane Primary School in Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 1, 2016. Marines are invited to mentor and teach students every iteration of Southern Frontier, a three week unit level training conducted by U.S. Marines at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal. The primary school’s student population is 92 percent indigenous and is very transient. Classes are designed to provide students structure and a consolidated education in literacy, numeracy, respect and behavior management. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cody Braunscheidel, an aviation logistics information management systems specialist assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, explains multiplication to students at MacFarlane Primary School in Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 1, 2016. Marines are invited to mentor and teach students every iteration of Southern Frontier, a three week unit level training conducted by U.S. Marines at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal. The primary school’s student population is 92 percent indigenous and is very transient. Classes are designed to provide students structure and a consolidated education in literacy, numeracy, respect and behavior management. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

Students from Noda Gakuen High School in Yamaguchi City and Matthew C. Perry High School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, participate in a drama class at MCAS Iwakuni April 21, 2016. Events like these help secure the two nations’ relationship with positive activities that educate students about each other’s culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Students from Noda Gakuen High School in Yamaguchi City and Matthew C. Perry High School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, participate in a drama class at MCAS Iwakuni April 21, 2016. Events like these help secure the two nations’ relationship with positive activities that educate students about each other’s culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

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.

Students from Higashi Junior High School perform during the holiday concert, Dec. 15, 2014, held at the Marine Memorial Chapel aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The concert was held for students from Higashi Junior High School, Agenosho Elementary School and Matthew C. Perry Schools. - Students from Higashi Junior High School perform during the holiday concert, Dec. 15, 2014, held at the Marine Memorial Chapel aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The concert was held for students from Higashi Junior High School, Agenosho Elementary School and Matthew C. Perry Schools.

Lance Cpl. Mitchell Hung, food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, throws Lance Cpl. Shwanda Roberts, food service specialist with H&HS, using a Marine Corps Martial Art Program technique in the dojo at IronWorks Gym aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 16, 2013. Both Marines have participated in multiple courses by Staff Sgt. Palmer, S-3 training noncommissioned officer with H&HS. - Lance Cpl. Mitchell Hung, food service specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, throws Lance Cpl. Shwanda Roberts, food service specialist with H&HS, using a Marine Corps Martial Art Program technique in the dojo at IronWorks Gym aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 16, 2013. Both Marines have participated in multiple courses by Staff Sgt. Palmer, S-3 training noncommissioned officer with H&HS.

Deanna O'Neal, left, Officers' Spouses' Club philanthropy chairman, hands Josiah Ricafrente, Matthew C. Perry High School senior, his scholarship at the Officers' Spouses' Club scholarship night held in building 1200 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 16, 2013. Ricafrente said he plans to use his money toward paying for his tuition at the University of California at Irvine as he pursues his studies toward becoming an aerospace engineer. - Deanna O'Neal, left, Officers' Spouses' Club philanthropy chairman, hands Josiah Ricafrente, Matthew C. Perry High School senior, his scholarship at the Officers' Spouses' Club scholarship night held in building 1200 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 16, 2013. Ricafrente said he plans to use his money toward paying for his tuition at the University of California at Irvine as he pursues his studies toward becoming an aerospace engineer.