Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Photo by Lance Cpl. Lennon Dregoiw - U.S. Navy Sailor HN Patrick Pierson, a preventive medicine technician with the Naval Family Branch Health Clinic (BHC), prepares an influenza vaccine during Exercise Active Shield aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 27, 2020. The BHC conducted a 72-hour mass immunization event to vaccinate all active-duty service members at the air station. Active Shield is an annual bilateral exercise partnering U.S. and Japanese forces for the protection and defense of MCAS Iwakuni and other assets in the region in order to sustain military operations in support of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lennon Dregoiw)

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet takes off from Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia during exercise Cope West 17, Nov. 8, 2016. The combined training offered by this exercise helps prepare the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesia Air Force to work together in promoting a peaceful Indo-Asia-Pacific region while practicing close air support and air-to-air training that will enhance their to respond to contingencies throughout the region. Both the U.S. F/A-18D Hornets and Indonesian F-16 Fighting Falcons bring unique capabilities affording the associated nations the opportunity to learn and understand each other’s skills, preparing them for real world contingencies and further strengthening their relationship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet takes off from Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia during exercise Cope West 17, Nov. 8, 2016. The combined training offered by this exercise helps prepare the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesia Air Force to work together in promoting a peaceful Indo-Asia-Pacific region while practicing close air support and air-to-air training that will enhance their to respond to contingencies throughout the region. Both the U.S. F/A-18D Hornets and Indonesian F-16 Fighting Falcons bring unique capabilities affording the associated nations the opportunity to learn and understand each other’s skills, preparing them for real world contingencies and further strengthening their relationship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Philip Park, right, command chaplain with Marine Aircraft Group 12, recieves a school basketball jersey from Jemmy Jermias, the school principal, during a visit at Sekolah Menengah Eben Haezar Manado High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 9, 2016. The exchanging of gifts symbolizes each other’s appreciation for cultural exchanges and community relations events. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered Marines and Sailors with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 225 the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Philip Park, right, command chaplain with Marine Aircraft Group 12, recieves a school basketball jersey from Jemmy Jermias, the school principal, during a visit at Sekolah Menengah Eben Haezar Manado High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 9, 2016. The exchanging of gifts symbolizes each other’s appreciation for cultural exchanges and community relations events. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered Marines and Sailors with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 225 the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Delwin K. Ellington, sergeant major of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, presents a signed basketball to Deysie Lumowa, the head mistress at Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri 1 High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 4, 2016. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered service members the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. At the end of the event, Marines and Sailors exchanged gifts with Lumowa, showing each other’s appreciation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Delwin K. Ellington, sergeant major of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, presents a signed basketball to Deysie Lumowa, the head mistress at Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri 1 High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 4, 2016. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered service members the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. At the end of the event, Marines and Sailors exchanged gifts with Lumowa, showing each other’s appreciation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Two U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornets with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, taxi down the flight line to begin exercise Cope West 17 at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia, Nov. 1, 2016. This fighter-focused, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force is designed to enhance the readiness of combined interoperability between the two nations. The squadron plans to complete their unit air-to-air training requirements, which focuses on basic fighter maneuvering, section engaged maneuvering, offensive anti-air warfare and active air defense versus the Indonesian Air Force to increase situational readiness, interoperability, knowledge and partnership between the U.S. and Indonesia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - Two U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornets with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, taxi down the flight line to begin exercise Cope West 17 at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia, Nov. 1, 2016. This fighter-focused, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force is designed to enhance the readiness of combined interoperability between the two nations. The squadron plans to complete their unit air-to-air training requirements, which focuses on basic fighter maneuvering, section engaged maneuvering, offensive anti-air warfare and active air defense versus the Indonesian Air Force to increase situational readiness, interoperability, knowledge and partnership between the U.S. and Indonesia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gary W. Thomason, exeutive officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, discusses military operations with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Mitsuhiko Nakadai, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Tanaka, JMSDF Capt. Madoka Sato and JMSDF Cmdr. Hiroko Takigawa, instructors from the Japanese Joint Staff College, during their visit to the air station in Iwakuni, Japan, May 9, 2016. The Japanese Joint Staff College instructors visited MCAS Iwakuni to learn about Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gary W. Thomason, exeutive officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, discusses military operations with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Mitsuhiko Nakadai, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Tanaka, JMSDF Capt. Madoka Sato and JMSDF Cmdr. Hiroko Takigawa, instructors from the Japanese Joint Staff College, during their visit to the air station in Iwakuni, Japan, May 9, 2016. The Japanese Joint Staff College instructors visited MCAS Iwakuni to learn about Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/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) - 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)

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.