News Stories

Courtesy photo by U.S. Marine Cpl. Kealey Dent - Then, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kealey Dent stands at attention representing her recruit training platoon during a graduation ceremony Dec.11, 2020. Dent, a Gordon, Texas native, partook in the rodeo lifestyle throughout her childhood until she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in summer of 2020. Dent, now a corporal, currently serves as MAG 12’s Single Marine Program president and noncommissioned officer association vice president, where she advocates for her unit's Marines’ needs and concerns. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Marine Cpl. Kealey Dent)

Friendly neighborhood Single Marine Program - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Yoshi Cacho, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, participates in the Humvee pull during the Day of Service at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 19, 2019. The Humvee pull was one of the culminating events that was held after the Days of Service clean-up concluded on Friday. The Days of Service is a week-long event with multiple volunteer opportunities that culminates with the final day of the event, the Day of Service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Kevin Alarcon)

Single Marine Program volunteers cleanup Yuu Beach - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kaysom Montgomery, a heavy-equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, holds a trash bag for other volunteers during a Single Marine Program Yuu Beach cleanup at Iwakuni City, Japan, Aug. 25, 2017. The event was an opportunity to demonstrate the willingness of service members to be respectful ambassadors and contribute to making Japan a better, cleaner place to live in. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

The entrance of a former poison gas storehouse used by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II at Okunoshima, Japan, March 25, 2017. The island is home to hundreds of wild rabbits that visitors are allowed to feed and pet, and has the standing remains of other buildings used by the army to create chemical weapons during World War II. Service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni took a free bus ride to the island courtesy of the Single Marine Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez) - The entrance of a former poison gas storehouse used by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II at Okunoshima, Japan, March 25, 2017. The island is home to hundreds of wild rabbits that visitors are allowed to feed and pet, and has the standing remains of other buildings used by the army to create chemical weapons during World War II. Service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni took a free bus ride to the island courtesy of the Single Marine Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Jimenez)

Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni take pictures and enjoy their time during a Single Marine Program trip to Kannon-in Temple in Tottori Sakyu, Japan, March 20, 2016. During the two-day trip, Marines visited the Kannon-in Temple on the eastern side of Tottori City. Oana Ivanoff, Marine Lounge Manager with SMP, said the trip provided Marines the option to explore Japan and its culture at an affordable price, helped build morale and plans to conduct it again in the future. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni take pictures and enjoy their time during a Single Marine Program trip to Kannon-in Temple in Tottori Sakyu, Japan, March 20, 2016. During the two-day trip, Marines visited the Kannon-in Temple on the eastern side of Tottori City. Oana Ivanoff, Marine Lounge Manager with SMP, said the trip provided Marines the option to explore Japan and its culture at an affordable price, helped build morale and plans to conduct it again in the future. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

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.

1st Lt. Donovan Holloway, air intelligence officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, plays with a Japanese orphan during a Single Marine Program volunteer event at Kaihoku-En Children’s Home in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Nov. 14, 2015. The children interacted and built relationships with the 18 service members during the visit. The visit afforded the children the opportunity to meet new people and have an afternoon filled with interaction. - 1st Lt. Donovan Holloway, air intelligence officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, plays with a Japanese orphan during a Single Marine Program volunteer event at Kaihoku-En Children’s Home in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Nov. 14, 2015. The children interacted and built relationships with the 18 service members during the visit. The visit afforded the children the opportunity to meet new people and have an afternoon filled with interaction.

Station Volunteers look for trash at Futashika Umezu Falls, in Futashika, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Oct. 16, 2015. The Single Marine Program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, provides residents volunteer opportunities to build relations with Japanese locals and experience part of the foreign culture. Volunteers enjoyed the scenery of the forest, river and waterfalls, as they picked up trash and debris along the river. - Station Volunteers look for trash at Futashika Umezu Falls, in Futashika, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Oct. 16, 2015. The Single Marine Program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, provides residents volunteer opportunities to build relations with Japanese locals and experience part of the foreign culture. Volunteers enjoyed the scenery of the forest, river and waterfalls, as they picked up trash and debris along the river.

Sgt. Ryan Cipkar, left, and Lance Cpl. Miguel Avelar, center, dispose of trash as Lance Cpl. Miguel Moto holds the garbage bag open during a community relations event host by the Single Marine Program aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sep. 4, 2015. Various organizations and tenant units aboard the air station foster the friendship between the U.S. and Japan by conducting these community relations events each year. Cipkar, from Steger, Ill., is a telephone person computer technician with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3. Avelar, San Bernardino, Calif., and Moto, from Taipei, Taiwan, are expeditionary airfield system technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. - Sgt. Ryan Cipkar, left, and Lance Cpl. Miguel Avelar, center, dispose of trash as Lance Cpl. Miguel Moto holds the garbage bag open during a community relations event host by the Single Marine Program aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sep. 4, 2015. Various organizations and tenant units aboard the air station foster the friendship between the U.S. and Japan by conducting these community relations events each year. Cipkar, from Steger, Ill., is a telephone person computer technician with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3. Avelar, San Bernardino, Calif., and Moto, from Taipei, Taiwan, are expeditionary airfield system technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.

Pfc. Brandon Messina, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, carries a bag of trash past a “no littering” sign during a river cleanup, sponsored by the Single Marine Program, in Asakita-ku, Hiroshima, Sept. 5, 2014. This was the first cleanup the SMP conducted in Hiroshima recently. - Pfc. Brandon Messina, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, carries a bag of trash past a “no littering” sign during a river cleanup, sponsored by the Single Marine Program, in Asakita-ku, Hiroshima, Sept. 5, 2014. This was the first cleanup the SMP conducted in Hiroshima recently.