News Stories

A Japanese local and a U.S. Marine use ballon swords to duel during the 41st Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2017. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an elevating experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show also encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static aircraft displays, aerial performances and demonstrations, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jesula Jeanlouis) - A Japanese local and a U.S. Marine use ballon swords to duel during the 41st Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2017. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an elevating experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show also encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static aircraft displays, aerial performances and demonstrations, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jesula Jeanlouis)

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.

Japanese media members interview Col. Robert Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during Friendship Day May 5, 2014. More than 50,000 people came aboard MCAS Iwakuni to see military vehicles and aircraft, meet American service members and get a taste of American culture. - Japanese media members interview Col. Robert Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during Friendship Day May 5, 2014. More than 50,000 people came aboard MCAS Iwakuni to see military vehicles and aircraft, meet American service members and get a taste of American culture.

Lance Cpl. Eric M. Wanczak, a Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 loadmaster, opens a panel so he can tighten one of the cargo locks necessary for keeping cargo pallets in place in preparation for a humanitarian mission to Sendai, Japan, as part of Operation Tomodachi here March 25. Pallets loaded onto C-130s typically have teeth that will interlock directly with the sides of the aircraft cargo bay. - Lance Cpl. Eric M. Wanczak, a Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 loadmaster, opens a panel so he can tighten one of the cargo locks necessary for keeping cargo pallets in place in preparation for a humanitarian mission to Sendai, Japan, as part of Operation Tomodachi here March 25. Pallets loaded onto C-130s typically have teeth that will interlock directly with the sides of the aircraft cargo bay.