News Stories

Sgt. Chris McClellan, KC-130J Super Hercules crew master with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, demonstrates proper use and engagement of the Van Zelm ratchet during familiarization training Jan. 26, 2016. Using an air drop kit, open discussion and hands-on learning, McClellan taught the class to a handful of crew masters and Marines in training. - Sgt. Chris McClellan, KC-130J Super Hercules crew master with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, demonstrates proper use and engagement of the Van Zelm ratchet during familiarization training Jan. 26, 2016. Using an air drop kit, open discussion and hands-on learning, McClellan taught the class to a handful of crew masters and Marines in training.

Mikie Watanabe, cultural adaption specialist with the cultural adaption program, speaks to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, residents during a trip to the annual Japanese Calligraphy Brush Festival, in Kumano, Hiroshima Prefecture, Sept. 23, 2015. Guests wandered through the brush decorated city, where they interacted with Japanese locals, practiced their calligraphy skills and enjoyed local cuisine. The cultural adaption program aboard station coordinated this event to provide service members and their families a chance to travel beyond the installations gates and experience the Japanese culture. - Mikie Watanabe, cultural adaption specialist with the cultural adaption program, speaks to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, residents during a trip to the annual Japanese Calligraphy Brush Festival, in Kumano, Hiroshima Prefecture, Sept. 23, 2015. Guests wandered through the brush decorated city, where they interacted with Japanese locals, practiced their calligraphy skills and enjoyed local cuisine. The cultural adaption program aboard station coordinated this event to provide service members and their families a chance to travel beyond the installations gates and experience the Japanese culture.

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.

Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron(VMGR) 152 refuel MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircrafts with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, during air delivery ground refueling training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 20, 2015. The KC-130J aircraft is capable of carrying more than 12,000 gallons of fuel and simultaneously refueling two aircraft at 300 gallons a minute. This ability, along with many others, makes VMGR-152 and their aircraft an important asset to Marine Corps’ aviation. - Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron(VMGR) 152 refuel MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircrafts with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, during air delivery ground refueling training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 20, 2015. The KC-130J aircraft is capable of carrying more than 12,000 gallons of fuel and simultaneously refueling two aircraft at 300 gallons a minute. This ability, along with many others, makes VMGR-152 and their aircraft an important asset to Marine Corps’ aviation.

Lt. Col. James Hurd, executive officer for Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, gives a command brief to Chugoku Shikoku Defense Bureau officials, Okinawa Defense Bureau officials, Iwakuni City assembly members and Ginowan City Council members during a visit to the station to conduct a study tour, July 16, 2015. The purpose was to help deepen the distinguished guests’ understanding on national security here, and the mission of MCAS Futenma in support of III Marine Expeditionary Force’s aviation warfighting capabilities. - Lt. Col. James Hurd, executive officer for Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, gives a command brief to Chugoku Shikoku Defense Bureau officials, Okinawa Defense Bureau officials, Iwakuni City assembly members and Ginowan City Council members during a visit to the station to conduct a study tour, July 16, 2015. The purpose was to help deepen the distinguished guests’ understanding on national security here, and the mission of MCAS Futenma in support of III Marine Expeditionary Force’s aviation warfighting 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.

Cpl. Eli Wallace, a crew master with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, awaits for take-off on a Lockheed KC-130J Hercules on Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 22, 2015. VMGR-152 flew back and forth from Kadena to Iwo To, formally known as Iwo Jima, providing transportation for Marines, VIPs and vehicles. The Reunion of Honor is a ceremony honoring veterans still alive from the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. - Cpl. Eli Wallace, a crew master with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, awaits for take-off on a Lockheed KC-130J Hercules on Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 22, 2015. VMGR-152 flew back and forth from Kadena to Iwo To, formally known as Iwo Jima, providing transportation for Marines, VIPs and vehicles. The Reunion of Honor is a ceremony honoring veterans still alive from the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.

A KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 taxies to the runway aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 1, 2014. The squadron, nicknamed “Sumos”, received the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award for 2013 flying more than 2,900 sorties throughout the Western Pacific area and amassing more than 7,700 mishap-free hours last year. - A KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 taxies to the runway aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 1, 2014. The squadron, nicknamed “Sumos”, received the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award for 2013 flying more than 2,900 sorties throughout the Western Pacific area and amassing more than 7,700 mishap-free hours last year.

Maj. William Smith, operations officer with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, answers questions from Iwakuni City Base Policy representatives, media and Government of Japan’s Ministry of Defense representatives immediately after a familiarization flight of a KC-130J Super Hercules, Aug. 28, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The visitors asked questions involving the aircraft’s mission, capabilities and functions, and also flew aboard the C-130 to gain a better understanding of its capabilities. - Maj. William Smith, operations officer with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, answers questions from Iwakuni City Base Policy representatives, media and Government of Japan’s Ministry of Defense representatives immediately after a familiarization flight of a KC-130J Super Hercules, Aug. 28, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The visitors asked questions involving the aircraft’s mission, capabilities and functions, and also flew aboard the C-130 to gain a better understanding of its capabilities.

Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 ordnance Marines watch a GTR-18 missile, better known as a "Smokey SAM," launch toward a KC-130J Super Hercules on an island outside of Okinawa, Japan, during a threat reaction evolution, Aug. 26, 2014. The threat reaction evolution is a chance for pilots to stay up to date on their qualifications while keeping an alert and aware mindset for any arising combat scenario. - Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 ordnance Marines watch a GTR-18 missile, better known as a "Smokey SAM," launch toward a KC-130J Super Hercules on an island outside of Okinawa, Japan, during a threat reaction evolution, Aug. 26, 2014. The threat reaction evolution is a chance for pilots to stay up to date on their qualifications while keeping an alert and aware mindset for any arising combat scenario.