Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Pemberton Aerosports executed a flag jump during the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day 2016 Air Show, Japan, May 5, 2016. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has conducted a single-day air show and open house specifically designed to foster positive relationships between the air station and our Japanese hosts, and the event traditionally draws more than 200,000 visitors and participants. This year is the 40th Friendship Day, offering a culturally enriching experience that displays the mutual support that the U.S. and Japan share. This annual event showcases a variety of static displays, aviation performances and demonstrations, and provides food and entertainment for guests of the largest single-day event in Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Douglas Simons/Released) - Pemberton Aerosports executed a flag jump during the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day 2016 Air Show, Japan, May 5, 2016. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has conducted a single-day air show and open house specifically designed to foster positive relationships between the air station and our Japanese hosts, and the event traditionally draws more than 200,000 visitors and participants. This year is the 40th Friendship Day, offering a culturally enriching experience that displays the mutual support that the U.S. and Japan share. This annual event showcases a variety of static displays, aviation performances and demonstrations, and provides food and entertainment for guests of the largest single-day event in Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Douglas Simons/Released)

MV-22 Osprey squadron, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 17-18, 2016, in support of the Government of Japan's relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes near Kumamoto. The long-standing alliance between Japan and the U.S allows U.S military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support top the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - MV-22 Osprey squadron, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 17-18, 2016, in support of the Government of Japan's relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes near Kumamoto. The long-standing alliance between Japan and the U.S allows U.S military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support top the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Capt. Robert Ahern, a F/A-18 pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, shows an F/A- 18AA++ aircraft to Japan Air Self-Defense Force members during the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 17, 2016. VMFA-314, home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, temporarily deployed to MCAS Iwakuni for a six month rotation with the unit deployment program, is forward deployed to Komatsu, Japan for the ATR. Komatsu ATR is a dissimilar air combat training exercise allowing pilots with diverse aircraft to simulate aerial warfare and execute basic fighter maneuvers, aircraft tactical intercepts and offensive-defensive counter air missions in preparation for real wartime situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Capt. Robert Ahern, a F/A-18 pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, shows an F/A- 18AA++ aircraft to Japan Air Self-Defense Force members during the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 17, 2016. VMFA-314, home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, temporarily deployed to MCAS Iwakuni for a six month rotation with the unit deployment program, is forward deployed to Komatsu, Japan for the ATR. Komatsu ATR is a dissimilar air combat training exercise allowing pilots with diverse aircraft to simulate aerial warfare and execute basic fighter maneuvers, aircraft tactical intercepts and offensive-defensive counter air missions in preparation for real wartime situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, 6th Air Wing commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, study a flight diagram during a visit to Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 9, 2016. Dolan visited Komatsu Air Base for the first time to observe the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise between Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The ATR program has three main goals: to increase operational readiness, improve interoperability, and reduce local noise impacts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Japan Air Self-Defense Force Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, 6th Air Wing commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, study a flight diagram during a visit to Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 9, 2016. Dolan visited Komatsu Air Base for the first time to observe the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise between Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The ATR program has three main goals: to increase operational readiness, improve interoperability, and reduce local noise impacts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron(VMGR) 152 refuel MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircrafts with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, during air delivery ground refueling training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 20, 2015. The KC-130J aircraft is capable of carrying more than 12,000 gallons of fuel and simultaneously refueling two aircraft at 300 gallons a minute. This ability, along with many others, makes VMGR-152 and their aircraft an important asset to Marine Corps’ aviation. - Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron(VMGR) 152 refuel MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircrafts with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, during air delivery ground refueling training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 20, 2015. The KC-130J aircraft is capable of carrying more than 12,000 gallons of fuel and simultaneously refueling two aircraft at 300 gallons a minute. This ability, along with many others, makes VMGR-152 and their aircraft an important asset to Marine Corps’ aviation.

A KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 taxies to the runway aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 1, 2014. The squadron, nicknamed “Sumos”, received the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award for 2013 flying more than 2,900 sorties throughout the Western Pacific area and amassing more than 7,700 mishap-free hours last year. - A KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 taxies to the runway aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 1, 2014. The squadron, nicknamed “Sumos”, received the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award for 2013 flying more than 2,900 sorties throughout the Western Pacific area and amassing more than 7,700 mishap-free hours last year.

Maj. Edward Bahret, the aviation safety officer for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, speaks to Japanese aviators during a flight security conference inside Club Iwakuni aboard station, Nov. 1, 2014. The conference allowed for a unique gathering of Japanese civilians and U.S. military members for the common benefit of aviation safety. - Maj. Edward Bahret, the aviation safety officer for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, speaks to Japanese aviators during a flight security conference inside Club Iwakuni aboard station, Nov. 1, 2014. The conference allowed for a unique gathering of Japanese civilians and U.S. military members for the common benefit of aviation safety.

Lance Cpl. Bobby Tyler, a plane captain with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, signals to an F/A-18 Hornet during the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 13, 2014, on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that will focus on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting units include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. - Lance Cpl. Bobby Tyler, a plane captain with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, signals to an F/A-18 Hornet during the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 13, 2014, on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that will focus on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting units include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.

An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 3, 2014. The Hornet was loaded with ordnance for a bombing mission as part of the squadron’s unit level training, named Distant Frontier. - An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 3, 2014. The Hornet was loaded with ordnance for a bombing mission as part of the squadron’s unit level training, named Distant Frontier.