News Stories

JMSDF, MCAS Iwakuni take Friendship Day 2019 to new altitudes - Japanese guests view various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft during the 43rd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2019. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an exciting experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft, aerial performances, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Timothy Valero)

JMSDF, MCAS Iwakuni take Friendship Day 2019 to new altitudes

For more than four decades, live aircraft performances, hot food, cold beverages, and service members from the U.S. and Japan have created opportunities for new experiences and everlasting memories through a single-day air show which, over the years, has evolved into a multi-generational tradition: 43rd JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2019.

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MAG-12 squadrons, Marines awarded for aviation excellence - Marine Corps Aviation Association, Joe Foss Squadron, awarded Marines and units within 1st Marine Aircraft Wing for their outstanding performance and dedication to duty on Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan, April 13, 2018. The Joe Foss Squadron, named after Joseph J. Foss, is one of 25 squadrons within the MCAA and the only squadron stationed overseas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jess Etheridge)

MAG-12 squadrons, Marines awarded for aviation excellence

The Marine Corps Aviation Association is a non-profit organization that recognizes the best aviators in the Marine Corps.Each year the MCAA publishes its recipients for all 29 awards, which helps boost comradery and its fraternal membership.This year Marine Aircraft Group 12, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, had three squadrons

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VMGR-152's PME, a flight you wouldn't want to miss - U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, collect sand at Iwo To (Iwo Jima), Japan, Nov. 7, 2017. Multiple squadrons participated in the professional military education on the island to gain information on its historical significance and foster esprit de corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

VMGR-152's PME, a flight you wouldn't want to miss

Sand shifts below service members’ feet as sulfur engulfs the air and humidity lingers across the island. The weight of reality and historical value settles among them as they take in the view of where so many of their fellow service members lost their lives. This is, Iwo To (Iwo Jima).Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 conducted a

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VMGR-152 conducts nighttime aerial refueling with VMFA-121, VMFA-251 - An F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 based out of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, conducts a nighttime aerial refueling training operation with a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 based out of MCAS Iwakuni Oct. 25, 2017. The training was conducted at night to improve operational readiness and enhance pilot proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)

Sumos conduct aerial refueling training with Thunderbolts, Green Knights

Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 flew KC-130J Hercules aircraft to conduct nighttime aerial refueling training operations with the F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 and F/A-18C Hornets with VMFA-251 Oct. 25-26, 2017.The training was conducted at night to improve operational readiness and enhance

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. - A U.S. Army Soldier with 1-1st Special Forces Group (SFG), watches for the drop zone from a KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, during air delivery training for a static line jumpmaster course at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Aug. 22, 2017. The air delivery was part of unit-level training Evergreen. Air delivery offers the ability to maximize the number of personnel and equipment rapidly delivered to a forward location, with little or no ground support in the objective area. Evergreen will serve as VMGR-152’s 2017 Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation through tri-lateral training with the U.S. Army 160th Special operations Aviation Regiment and the 1st SFG to gain valuable insight on the most recent Operation Inherent Resolve assault-support tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Sumos soar home

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 departed Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, upon completion of unit-level training Evergreen and headed home to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 28, 2017.

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. - A U.S. Army MH-60 Black Hawk with the 4-160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), lands for air delivered ground refueling with U.S. Marine Corps Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, for unit-level training Evergreen at Gray Army Airfield, Washington, Aug. 15, 2017. VMGR-152 used the opportunity during the joint training for instruction on set up and operation of an air delivered ground refueling with the 4-160th SOAR’s airborne service detachment. Air delivered ground refueling offers a mobile deployable gas station to austere locations for units who don’t have readily available resources near them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

VMGR-152 fuels combat readiness

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 “Sumos” conducted night air delivered ground refueling with the U.S. Army 4-160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) during unit-level training Evergreen at Gray Army Airfield, Aug. 15, 2017.

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VMGR-152 arrives at Whidbey Island for unit-level training - A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, conducts formation flights while in transit to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, Aug. 13, 2017. VMGR-152 is participating in unit-level training Evergreen. The training consists of division formation flights with stateside-based VMGR squadrons and tri-lateral training with the U.S. Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Group to gain valuable insight on the most recent Operation Inherent Resolve assault support tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

VMGR-152 arrives at Whidbey Island for unit-level training

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 arrived at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, Aug. 13, 2017. VMGR-152 “Sumos” will conduct training as part of unit-level training Evergreen, which will serve as the squadron’s 2017 Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation. The Sumos will conduct tri-lateral training

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Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 conducts low-level static line parachute drops in the Philippines. VMGR-152, also known as the Sumos, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2017. Throughout the past seven and a half decades, VMGR-152 made its mark in Marine Corps history, accrediting their success to countless missions the squadron has flown during both combat support and humanitarian aid. (Courtesy photo) - Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 conducts low-level static line parachute drops in the Philippines. VMGR-152, also known as the Sumos, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2017. Throughout the past seven and a half decades, VMGR-152 made its mark in Marine Corps history, accrediting their success to countless missions the squadron has flown during both combat support and humanitarian aid. (Courtesy photo)

Remembering 75 years of history

“The United States Marine Corps, with its fiercely proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth,” said Thomas E. Ricks, author of “Making the Corps.”U.S. Marines celebrated the 75th anniversary of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, also known

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U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Donald Shrewsbury, a KC-130J Hercules representative with Marine Aviation Training System Site Iwakuni, directs a Japan Air Self-Defense Force aviation cadet with the 12th Flight Training Wing from JASDF Hōfu-kita Air Base while flying a KC-130J simulator during a Junior officer engagement program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19, 2016. The engagement program aims to enhance the understanding and working relationships between U.S. and Japanese pilots. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Donald Shrewsbury, a KC-130J Hercules representative with Marine Aviation Training System Site Iwakuni, directs a Japan Air Self-Defense Force aviation cadet with the 12th Flight Training Wing from JASDF Hōfu-kita Air Base while flying a KC-130J simulator during a Junior officer engagement program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19, 2016. The engagement program aims to enhance the understanding and working relationships between U.S. and Japanese pilots. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)