News Stories

A Japanese athlete from Otake shoots a basketball during a tournament held for station residents and Japanese nationals at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 21, 2016. Forty-four athletes from Iwakuni, Hirata, Ohno, Otake and Mainland Sports Association-Iwakuni took to the courts to compete against each other in a series of basketball games. The association assists young athletes in building character by using basketball to promote academic interest, athletic skills and aims to support and empower athletes using experienced coaches to help develop character, teamwork and leadership traits. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - A Japanese athlete from Otake shoots a basketball during a tournament held for station residents and Japanese nationals at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 21, 2016. Forty-four athletes from Iwakuni, Hirata, Ohno, Otake and Mainland Sports Association-Iwakuni took to the courts to compete against each other in a series of basketball games. The association assists young athletes in building character by using basketball to promote academic interest, athletic skills and aims to support and empower athletes using experienced coaches to help develop character, teamwork and leadership traits. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Station residents and Japanese participants begin a half marathon during the 49th Kintai Marathon on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan April 17, 2016. With more than 500 athletes, the marathon is one of the few events that invites Japanese citizens on the air station and provides a great opportunity for MCAS Iwakuni personnel to show support of their host nation through running, said Mai Tajima, SemperFit recreation specialist. The full marathon first place for the men was Yoshihisa Nagashita, 34, completing at 2 hours, 40 minutes, 21 seconds, and for the women was Hitomi Matsubara, 45, completing at 3:27:25. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan D. Wicks /Released) - Station residents and Japanese participants begin a half marathon during the 49th Kintai Marathon on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan April 17, 2016. With more than 500 athletes, the marathon is one of the few events that invites Japanese citizens on the air station and provides a great opportunity for MCAS Iwakuni personnel to show support of their host nation through running, said Mai Tajima, SemperFit recreation specialist. The full marathon first place for the men was Yoshihisa Nagashita, 34, completing at 2 hours, 40 minutes, 21 seconds, and for the women was Hitomi Matsubara, 45, completing at 3:27:25. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan D. Wicks /Released)

Chandler Pigge, a seventh-grader at Matthew C. Perry High School, shoots the basketball as Amin Mice, a ninth-grader at M.C. Perry High School, attempts to block during the 2016 Mainland Basketball Association Spring Basketball Camp at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 13, 2016. Student athletes between the ages of 12 and 18 attended the camp seeking to improve their knowledge of skills and basketball such as shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding and defending. Point Guard College attended the camp to teach competitors to play smart basketball and become good leaders during practice, games and everyday life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Chandler Pigge, a seventh-grader at Matthew C. Perry High School, shoots the basketball as Amin Mice, a ninth-grader at M.C. Perry High School, attempts to block during the 2016 Mainland Basketball Association Spring Basketball Camp at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 13, 2016. Student athletes between the ages of 12 and 18 attended the camp seeking to improve their knowledge of skills and basketball such as shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding and defending. Point Guard College attended the camp to teach competitors to play smart basketball and become good leaders during practice, games and everyday life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

A Special Olympics athlete competes in a bowling competition during the Special Olympics Hiroshima at the Strike Zone Bowling Center at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 4, 2015. As the last event before the Olympians received their medals, the special Olympics maintained its inspirational tempo by promoting a competitive atmosphere, camaraderie and sportsmanship. - A Special Olympics athlete competes in a bowling competition during the Special Olympics Hiroshima at the Strike Zone Bowling Center at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 4, 2015. As the last event before the Olympians received their medals, the special Olympics maintained its inspirational tempo by promoting a competitive atmosphere, camaraderie and sportsmanship.

A Hagi Iwami Airport half marathon participant runs toward the finish line Oct. 20, 2013. Hagi is located on the western coast of Japan and overlooks the East China Sea. - A Hagi Iwami Airport half marathon participant runs toward the finish line Oct. 20, 2013. Hagi is located on the western coast of Japan and overlooks the East China Sea.