News Stories

Photo by Lance Cpl. Siwan Lewis - U.S. Marines and Sailors from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, pose for a group photo after picking up trash for a volunteer clean-up event hosted by the MCAS Iwakuni Single Marine Program at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, April 24, 2026. The MCAS Iwakuni SMP hosted a clean-up as part of the SMP Days of Service, a five-day clean-up event to improve community relations both on and off the installation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Siwan Lewis)

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 - Single Marine Program (SMP) volunteers from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni compile all the collected trash during an SMP Yuu Beach cleanup at Iwakuni City, Japan, Aug. 25, 2017. Twenty-eight service members from the air station participated in the cleanup and were joined by two Japanese locals from Iwakuni City Hall and one student from the National Institute of Technology in Yamaguchi Prefecture. SMP conducts three volunteer events a month, including the Yuu Beach cleanup. (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 traveled to the Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Sakyu, Japan, March 19, 2016. After arriving in Tottori, the Marines ventured into the town, observed the scenery, visited temples, rode camels, sand boarded and parasailed. Created by sediment deposits carried from the Chugoku Mountains by the Sendai River into the Sea of Japan over the course of thousands of years, the Tottori Sand Dunes are the largest in Japan and are part of the Sanin Kaigan National Park. (Photo courtesy of Oana Ivanoff) - Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni traveled to the Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Sakyu, Japan, March 19, 2016. After arriving in Tottori, the Marines ventured into the town, observed the scenery, visited temples, rode camels, sand boarded and parasailed. Created by sediment deposits carried from the Chugoku Mountains by the Sendai River into the Sea of Japan over the course of thousands of years, the Tottori Sand Dunes are the largest in Japan and are part of the Sanin Kaigan National Park. (Photo courtesy of Oana Ivanoff)

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. Station residents share the environment with the community and are taking necessary precautions to prevent adverse effects on the environment and habitat. - 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. Station residents share the environment with the community and are taking necessary precautions to prevent adverse effects on the environment and habitat.

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.