News Stories

JMSDF, MCAS Iwakuni take Friendship Day 2019 to new altitudes - Japanese guests view various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft during the 43rd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2019. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an exciting experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft, aerial performances, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Timothy Valero)

Sgt. Isaac Ross, aircraft rescue firefighter with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, helps a child with the fire hose during Junior Recruit Day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 8, 2016. Junior Recruit Day allowed the children of service member’s assigned Marine Aircraft Group 12 to get a first-hand look at what their military parent’s experiences on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio) - Sgt. Isaac Ross, aircraft rescue firefighter with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, helps a child with the fire hose during Junior Recruit Day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 8, 2016. Junior Recruit Day allowed the children of service member’s assigned Marine Aircraft Group 12 to get a first-hand look at what their military parent’s experiences on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio)

Members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12; Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Japan Air Self-Defense Force pile all the trash gathered during Operation Kibagata at Kibagata Park, Komatsu, Japan, March 12, 2016. Operation Kibagata brought participants of the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base together to clean the local community. Community relations events not only lend a hand to the local community, they are an important aspect of strengthening one of the world’s strongest alliances in order to maintain peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12; Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Japan Air Self-Defense Force pile all the trash gathered during Operation Kibagata at Kibagata Park, Komatsu, Japan, March 12, 2016. Operation Kibagata brought participants of the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base together to clean the local community. Community relations events not only lend a hand to the local community, they are an important aspect of strengthening one of the world’s strongest alliances in order to maintain peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

The Marine Aircraft Group 12 color guard marches in formation during a Sgt. Maj. Sergio MartinezRuiz’s relief and appointment ceremony at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 5, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of MartinezRuiz’s tour after assuming the role of MAG-12’s sergeant major in May of 2014. - The Marine Aircraft Group 12 color guard marches in formation during a Sgt. Maj. Sergio MartinezRuiz’s relief and appointment ceremony at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 5, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of MartinezRuiz’s tour after assuming the role of MAG-12’s sergeant major in May of 2014.

Marines and Sailors clean up Katazoe Beach on Oshima Island, Japan, during the Oshima Cleanup Dec. 12, 2015. Organized by Marine Aircraft Group 12 Chaplain’s office and the Single Marine Program from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, this cleanup and similar monthly community relations events help keep the local community clean as well as give service members a chance to explore Japan. - Marines and Sailors clean up Katazoe Beach on Oshima Island, Japan, during the Oshima Cleanup Dec. 12, 2015. Organized by Marine Aircraft Group 12 Chaplain’s office and the Single Marine Program from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, this cleanup and similar monthly community relations events help keep the local community clean as well as give service members a chance to explore Japan.

Master Sgt. Charles Garcia, Marine Aircraft Group 12 logistics chief, explains to his Marines the different parts of a ship and what they are used for during a site survey of the USS Bonhomme Richard at U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo, Dec. 4, 2015. Garcia executed the survey to confirm everything was secure and large enough for Marine Attack Squadron 214 AV-8B harriers to land on safely. - Master Sgt. Charles Garcia, Marine Aircraft Group 12 logistics chief, explains to his Marines the different parts of a ship and what they are used for during a site survey of the USS Bonhomme Richard at U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo, Dec. 4, 2015. Garcia executed the survey to confirm everything was secure and large enough for Marine Attack Squadron 214 AV-8B harriers to land on safely.

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, stationed load onto Marine Wing Support Squadron 171’s MK-31 tractor/extended bed during Exercise Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Aibano, Japan, Sept. 8, 2015. MWSS-171 is supporting Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 and 1st Battalion 2nd Marines during this exercise using their communications, motor transport and refueling capabilities. - Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, stationed load onto Marine Wing Support Squadron 171’s MK-31 tractor/extended bed during Exercise Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Aibano, Japan, Sept. 8, 2015. MWSS-171 is supporting Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 and 1st Battalion 2nd Marines during this exercise using their communications, motor transport and refueling capabilities.

Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron hosted the 2015 Jane Wayne Day, May 16, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Jane Wayne Day provides spouses and family members of Marines and sailors with the opportunity to get a taste of Marine Corps training and experience a day in the life of a Marine. - Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron hosted the 2015 Jane Wayne Day, May 16, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Jane Wayne Day provides spouses and family members of Marines and sailors with the opportunity to get a taste of Marine Corps training and experience a day in the life of a Marine.

Left to right, Cpl. Jessica Quezada, a combat correspondent, Lance Cpl. Mark Adams, a combat photographer, and Cpl. Mitchell Flowers, a combat camera production specialist, participate in the Jingle Bell Jog, Dec. 19, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The Marines are with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. Marine Corps Community Services hosted the event to help raise morale during the holiday season. The 1.5km event had more than 1,400 participants from various units aboard station. - Left to right, Cpl. Jessica Quezada, a combat correspondent, Lance Cpl. Mark Adams, a combat photographer, and Cpl. Mitchell Flowers, a combat camera production specialist, participate in the Jingle Bell Jog, Dec. 19, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The Marines are with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. Marine Corps Community Services hosted the event to help raise morale during the holiday season. The 1.5km event had more than 1,400 participants from various units aboard station.