News Stories

Photo by Cpl. Ella Cadby - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tyler Bassett, a combat graphics specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (HHS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Tampa, Florida, practices clearing a room during a Communication Strategy and Operations field training exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 9, 2026. The COMMSTRAT FTX is a five-day event focused on increasing quick decision-making skills and tactical proficiency through high pressure environments to provide commanders with more capable COMMSTRAT forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ella Cadby)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, hiked up Mount Fuji, Japan, as part of a unit activity July 31, 2016. Marines within the squadron first conquered Mount Fuji with a 3,776 meter climb to the peak. Marines bought ‘Kongo-Tsue’ walking sticks and had stamps burned onto them, which signified the location and altitude throughout 10 stations located up the trail. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, hiked up Mount Fuji, Japan, as part of a unit activity July 31, 2016. Marines within the squadron first conquered Mount Fuji with a 3,776 meter climb to the peak. Marines bought ‘Kongo-Tsue’ walking sticks and had stamps burned onto them, which signified the location and altitude throughout 10 stations located up the trail. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 take a moment to catch their breath and hydrate after reaching the halfway point of their six-mile conditioning hike aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 16, 2014. The hike purpose is to build camaraderie and unit cohesion, as well as establish a combat mindset in the Marines. - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 take a moment to catch their breath and hydrate after reaching the halfway point of their six-mile conditioning hike aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 16, 2014. The hike purpose is to build camaraderie and unit cohesion, as well as establish a combat mindset in the Marines.

Service members with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron gather around Lt. Col. F. Lance Lewis in front of building one after their 10 kilometer hike Sept. 5, 2013. The conditioning hikes were developed to prepare service members for the 17.75 kilometer hike in honor of the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. - Service members with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron gather around Lt. Col. F. Lance Lewis in front of building one after their 10 kilometer hike Sept. 5, 2013. The conditioning hikes were developed to prepare service members for the 17.75 kilometer hike in honor of the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.

Marines with Combat Engineers, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, hike through the mountainpasses of Haramura near the site of Exercise Thunder Horse, March 21, 2013. Throughout the hike, Marines would check the Marine in front of them to make sure their equipment was not falling off or loose. - Marines with Combat Engineers, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, hike through the mountain passes of Haramura near the site of Exercise Thunder Horse, March 21, 2013. Throughout the hike, Marines would check the Marine in front of them to make sure their equipment was not falling off or loose.