Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Photo by Cpl. Mitchell Austin - U.S. Army soldiers with U.S. Army Transportation Battalion direct an AH-64 Apache aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 24, 2021, as part of ORIENT SHIELD 21-2 (OS 21-2). OS 21-2 is the largest annual bilateral field training exercise in Japan between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), with approximately 1,400 U.S personnel and 1,600 JGSDF personnel in participation. With both it’s air and sea facilities, MCAS Iwakuni is uniquely positioned to support the dynamic employment of forces across the Indo-pacific area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mitchell Austin)

Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers take a stance after a simulated riot control situation during Exercise Guard and Protect at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 20-23, 2015. Marines and JGSDF soldiers were challenged with real world situations such as riot control, armed intruder response and vehicle searches to prepare in case the air station has to take a defense posture. - Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers take a stance after a simulated riot control situation during Exercise Guard and Protect at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 20-23, 2015. Marines and JGSDF soldiers were challenged with real world situations such as riot control, armed intruder response and vehicle searches to prepare in case the air station has to take a defense posture.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members joined Marines for lunch at the R.G. Robinson Mess Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 15, 2015. Members of the JGSDF visited MCAS Iwakuni for an English seminar helping them to better communicate with American military members and build a greater positive relationship between the Japanese and Americans. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members joined Marines for lunch at the R.G. Robinson Mess Hall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 15, 2015. Members of the JGSDF visited MCAS Iwakuni for an English seminar helping them to better communicate with American military members and build a greater positive relationship between the Japanese and Americans.

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, stationed load onto Marine Wing Support Squadron 171’s MK-31 tractor/extended bed during Exercise Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Aibano, Japan, Sept. 8, 2015. MWSS-171 is supporting Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 and 1st Battalion 2nd Marines during this exercise using their communications, motor transport and refueling capabilities. - Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, stationed load onto Marine Wing Support Squadron 171’s MK-31 tractor/extended bed during Exercise Forest Light 16-1 at Camp Aibano, Japan, Sept. 8, 2015. MWSS-171 is supporting Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 and 1st Battalion 2nd Marines during this exercise using their communications, motor transport and refueling capabilities.

Provost Marshal’s Office Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force troops conducted riot control training in addition to capturing and detaining intruders during Exercise Keen Sword aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 18, 2014. Keen Sword is a routine force protection exercise designed to strengthen the relationship and interoperability between the air station and JGSDF forces. - Provost Marshal’s Office Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force troops conducted riot control training in addition to capturing and detaining intruders during Exercise Keen Sword aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 18, 2014. Keen Sword is a routine force protection exercise designed to strengthen the relationship and interoperability between the air station and JGSDF forces.

A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 102nd Central Nuclear Biological Chemical Weapon Defense Unit makes his way through a smoke filled room inside the fire training tower aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 7, 2014. The 102nd Central NBC Weapon Defense Unit, Marine Aircraft Group 12, and the MCAS Iwakuni Fire Station collaborated to conduct interoperability training while executing Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Hazardous Material Emergency Response Operations. - A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 102nd Central Nuclear Biological Chemical Weapon Defense Unit makes his way through a smoke filled room inside the fire training tower aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 7, 2014. The 102nd Central NBC Weapon Defense Unit, Marine Aircraft Group 12, and the MCAS Iwakuni Fire Station collaborated to conduct interoperability training while executing Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Hazardous Material Emergency Response Operations.

Capt. George Ivascu, motor transport company commander with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, talks to Capt. Yushi Nakamura, officer in charge of the English program with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, while looking through a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain vehicle, Feb. 27, 2014, during an English clinic aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The English clinic is an annual event hosted by the station Public Affairs Office as part of a weeklong English seminar held for members of the JGSDF. - Capt. George Ivascu, motor transport company commander with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, talks to Capt. Yushi Nakamura, officer in charge of the English program with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, while looking through a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain vehicle, Feb. 27, 2014, during an English clinic aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The English clinic is an annual event hosted by the station Public Affairs Office as part of a weeklong English seminar held for members of the JGSDF.