News Stories

Photo by Lance Cpl. Isaac De Leon - Award recipient, U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Robert Navarro, the officer in charge of the indoor small arms range with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station, and native to Oceanside, California, gives a speech during the Gunnery Sgt. Carlos N. Hathcock II award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 4, 2025. Gunnery Sgt. Navarro was awarded the Gunnery Sgt. Carlos N, Hathcock II award for his prestigious work and dedication to improving marksmanship of the ISAR and efficiently training rifle and pistol qualifications. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isaac De Leon)

MCAS Iwakuni Change of Command - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. William Bowers, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, salutes Marines and Sailors during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 22, 2019. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Fuerst, outgoing commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, relinquished command to Col. Lance Lewis, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni. MCAS Iwakuni is a mission-ready air station, capable of providing continuous base-operating support for tenant organizations and follow-on U.S. and allied forces during training, combat or contingency operations throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauren Brune)

MCAS Iwakuni gives a warm sayonara to Sgt. Maj. Garza - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Paul Rock Jr., commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, presents Sgt. Maj. Christopher J. Garza, former sergeant major of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, with the Meritorious Service Medal during a relief ceremony here, Feb. 8, 2018. Garza is headed to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to assume the post of sergeant major for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

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)

Students and staff, service members and civilian personnel cut ribbons during the Matthew C. Perry High School ribbon-cutting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 3, 2017. The new 165,000 square foot high school is located next to the Kawashimo housing area provides improved security, resources and opportunities for students and staff. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, Lorenzo Brown, principal of M.C. Perry High School, Jeffrey Carr, assistant principal of M.C. Perry High School, Yoshihiko Fukuda, mayor of Iwakuni City, and Iwakuni officials conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony, signifying the grand opening of the new facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - Students and staff, service members and civilian personnel cut ribbons during the Matthew C. Perry High School ribbon-cutting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 3, 2017. The new 165,000 square foot high school is located next to the Kawashimo housing area provides improved security, resources and opportunities for students and staff. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, Lorenzo Brown, principal of M.C. Perry High School, Jeffrey Carr, assistant principal of M.C. Perry High School, Yoshihiko Fukuda, mayor of Iwakuni City, and Iwakuni officials conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony, signifying the grand opening of the new facility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Retirees and members of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni leadership pose for a photo during a retirement ceremony at the Landing Zone in Club Iwakuni on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, July 15, 2016. The ceremony acknowledged the appreciation for the retirees’ hard work and dedication toward the installation’s success over the years. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Farbo) - Retirees and members of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni leadership pose for a photo during a retirement ceremony at the Landing Zone in Club Iwakuni on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, July 15, 2016. The ceremony acknowledged the appreciation for the retirees’ hard work and dedication toward the installation’s success over the years. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Farbo)

Kiyotaka Nozaki, right, Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau deputy procurement director, presents a painting to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert V. Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, during the grand opening of the Command Assembly Hall at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, July 1, 2016. Costing approximately $28 million, construction of the building began September 2013 and finished March 2016 with an additional $1.5 million spent furnishing the facility. The old 20,776 square foot theater, which opened in 1954, is scheduled to be demolished in order to expand the Child Development Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Kiyotaka Nozaki, right, Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau deputy procurement director, presents a painting to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert V. Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, during the grand opening of the Command Assembly Hall at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, July 1, 2016. Costing approximately $28 million, construction of the building began September 2013 and finished March 2016 with an additional $1.5 million spent furnishing the facility. The old 20,776 square foot theater, which opened in 1954, is scheduled to be demolished in order to expand the Child Development Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Sanford, Combat Logistics Company 36’s new commanding officer, addresses Marines during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 20, 2016. Capt. Roderick Singleton Jr. relinquished his authority of CLC-36’s commanding officer to Sanford. Sanford will be assuming his first position of commanding officer after serving as the Marine Corps Installations Pacific installation motor transport officer for two years before becoming the plans and operations officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Sanford, Combat Logistics Company 36’s new commanding officer, addresses Marines during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 20, 2016. Capt. Roderick Singleton Jr. relinquished his authority of CLC-36’s commanding officer to Sanford. Sanford will be assuming his first position of commanding officer after serving as the Marine Corps Installations Pacific installation motor transport officer for two years before becoming the plans and operations officer. (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) - 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)

Sgt. Maj. Coleman Kinzer, left, outbound Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron sergeant major, prepares to pass on the sword of office to Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, right, newly appointed H&HS sergeant major, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 26, 2016. The passing of the sword of office represents the transition of duties and responsibilities from one sergeant major to another. Kinzer addressed the Marines of the squadron, stating that he believes without them, the transformation of the air station wouldn’t be possible. - Sgt. Maj. Coleman Kinzer, left, outbound Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron sergeant major, prepares to pass on the sword of office to Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, right, newly appointed H&HS sergeant major, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 26, 2016. The passing of the sword of office represents the transition of duties and responsibilities from one sergeant major to another. Kinzer addressed the Marines of the squadron, stating that he believes without them, the transformation of the air station wouldn’t be possible.