News Stories

Commanding officer walks with local community for the last time - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Fuerst, left, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and Yoshihiko Fukuda, the mayor of Iwakuni City, take a photo with local Japanese residents during the 11th annual Joint Leadership Walk in Iwakuni City, Japan, July 12, 2019. During the walk, they spoke to local Japanese residents, business owners and residents of the air station. The walk was Fuerst’s final goodbye to the Japanese local community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Triton Lai)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Richard M. Rusnok Jr., oncoming commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, receives the VMFA-121 guidon from Lt. Col. J.T. Bardo, outgoing commanding officer of VMFA-121, on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 3, 2017. The passing of the guidon is a Marine Corps tradition signifying the passing on of the commanding officer billet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Richard M. Rusnok Jr., oncoming commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, receives the VMFA-121 guidon from Lt. Col. J.T. Bardo, outgoing commanding officer of VMFA-121, on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 3, 2017. The passing of the guidon is a Marine Corps tradition signifying the passing on of the commanding officer billet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. James S. Whiteker, Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 commanding officer, addresses the audience during his change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 30, 2016. Whiteker relinquished his duties as MWSS-171 commanding officer to Lt. Col. Jason B. Berg after serving as the squadron commander for two years. Whiteker notably led MWSS-171 to unprecedented levels of support for essential exercises, operations and humanitarian assistance efforts across the Pacific. For his efforts as the squadron commanding officer, Whiteker received the meritorious service medal gold star in lieu of a fourth award. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. James S. Whiteker, Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 commanding officer, addresses the audience during his change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 30, 2016. Whiteker relinquished his duties as MWSS-171 commanding officer to Lt. Col. Jason B. Berg after serving as the squadron commander for two years. Whiteker notably led MWSS-171 to unprecedented levels of support for essential exercises, operations and humanitarian assistance efforts across the Pacific. For his efforts as the squadron commanding officer, Whiteker received the meritorious service medal gold star in lieu of a fourth award. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada/Released)

From left to right, Buddie Kolath, store director, Kim Shipley, a station resident, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Daniel Shipley, Marine Aircraft Group 12 commanding officer, Joseph H. Jeu, director and CEO of the Defense Commissary Agency, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert V. Boucher, station commanding officer, Marcela Londono and Carla Bates, station residents, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Garza, station sergeant major, conduct the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of the new commissary at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 21, 2016. Designed to anticipate and meet the needs of shoppers, the new grocery store is approximately 50 percent larger, with 52,710 total square feet and is located between the Kintai Inn and Kawashimo housing area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - From left to right, Buddie Kolath, store director, Kim Shipley, a station resident, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Daniel Shipley, Marine Aircraft Group 12 commanding officer, Joseph H. Jeu, director and CEO of the Defense Commissary Agency, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert V. Boucher, station commanding officer, Marcela Londono and Carla Bates, station residents, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Garza, station sergeant major, conduct the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of the new commissary at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 21, 2016. Designed to anticipate and meet the needs of shoppers, the new grocery store is approximately 50 percent larger, with 52,710 total square feet and is located between the Kintai Inn and Kawashimo housing area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. John A. Fallon, incoming Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 commanding officer, addresses the audience during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 10, 2016. Fallon assumed command from Lt. Col. Kolter R. Miller, outgoing MALS-12 commanding officer, after serving as the executive officer for three years. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin Fisher/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. John A. Fallon, incoming Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 commanding officer, addresses the audience during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 10, 2016. Fallon assumed command from Lt. Col. Kolter R. Miller, outgoing MALS-12 commanding officer, after serving as the executive officer for three years. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin Fisher/Released)

Maj. Charles R. Johnston, right, passes the Combat Logistics Company 36 guideon to Capt. Roderick J. Singleton Jr. during a change-of-command ceremony, May 23, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Johnston spent two years as the company’s executive officer before taking command of CLC-36 in July 2013. - Maj. Charles R. Johnston, right, passes the Combat Logistics Company 36 guideon to Capt. Roderick J. Singleton Jr. during a change-of-command ceremony, May 23, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Johnston spent two years as the company’s executive officer before taking command of CLC-36 in July 2013.

Lt. Col. Bruce D. Gordon, left, and Lt. Col. Shawn M. Basco salute colors during the pass and review at the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron change of command aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 23, 2014. Basco looks forward to continuing the legacy and filling the shoes Gordon left behind. - Lt. Col. Bruce D. Gordon, left, and Lt. Col. Shawn M. Basco salute colors during the pass and review at the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron change of command aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 23, 2014. Basco looks forward to continuing the legacy and filling the shoes Gordon left behind.

Col. Robert V. Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, addresses the crowd after taking command from Col. James C. Stewart at the MCAS Iwakuni parade deck, July 12, 2013. Boucher assumed command of MCAS Iwakuni after working at the Office of the Secretary of Defense for the past two years. - Col. Robert V. Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, addresses the crowd after taking command from Col. James C. Stewart at the MCAS Iwakuni parade deck, July 12, 2013. Boucher assumed command of MCAS Iwakuni after working at the Office of the Secretary of Defense for the past two years.

Col. James C. Stewart, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, returns from his final military flight to Fukuoka, Japan, July 2, 2013. After arriving, Stewart was presented with a plaque by Lt. Col. F. Lance Lewis, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron commanding officer. Stewart is slated to retire and change command July 12, 2013, ending a 29-year career of dedicated service. - Col. James C. Stewart, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, returns from his final military flight to Fukuoka, Japan, July 2, 2013. After arriving, Stewart was presented with a plaque by Lt. Col. F. Lance Lewis, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron commanding officer. Stewart is slated to retire and change command July 12, 2013, ending a 29-year career of dedicated service.