News Stories

Service members volunteer, make difference in community - U.S. Marines and Sailors based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, dig a hole to make a koi pond at You En, a special needs home in Hiroshima City, Sept. 15, 2017. The landscaping at the special needs home consisted of digging holes for a future garden as well as a koi pond for the residents to enjoy walking through and watching it grow day-by-day. The event helped build relations between the service members and the Japanese community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher O’Neal, an expeditionary airfield systems technician attached to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, shoots an M240B machine gun during phase two of Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 5, 2017. Phase two consisted of conducting live-fire training exercises to give MWSS-171 the knowledge and confidence to utilize weapons systems effectively in a deployed environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher O’Neal, an expeditionary airfield systems technician attached to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, shoots an M240B machine gun during phase two of Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 5, 2017. Phase two consisted of conducting live-fire training exercises to give MWSS-171 the knowledge and confidence to utilize weapons systems effectively in a deployed environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

A U.S. Marine assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, rushes to provide security for a forward operating base during an immediate action drill while participating in exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp, Fuji, Japan, June 17, 2017. Forward operating bases and forward arming and refueling points were established during the two-week exercise to train the Marines to provide explosives, weaponry, fuel, security, logistics and personnel to a forward line of troops and aircraft. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell) - A U.S. Marine assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, rushes to provide security for a forward operating base during an immediate action drill while participating in exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp, Fuji, Japan, June 17, 2017. Forward operating bases and forward arming and refueling points were established during the two-week exercise to train the Marines to provide explosives, weaponry, fuel, security, logistics and personnel to a forward line of troops and aircraft. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, provide security during a patrol while participating in exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 17, 2017. Eagle Wrath 2017 is a two-week training evolution focusing on air base ground defense, establishing forward operating bases and forward arming and refueling points in an austere environment as a way to support Marine Aircraft Group 12. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell) - U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, provide security during a patrol while participating in exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 17, 2017. Eagle Wrath 2017 is a two-week training evolution focusing on air base ground defense, establishing forward operating bases and forward arming and refueling points in an austere environment as a way to support Marine Aircraft Group 12. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Barry Bethea, an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting specialist with Marine Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, fireman carries a simulated casualty to a medical station during an unexpected mass casualty drill while participating in exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 15, 2017. The purpose of the drill was to see how medical personnel react in coalition with the Marines to make sure they are working in a fluid manner. Eagle Wrath 2017 is a two-week training evolution focusing on air base ground defense and establishing a forward operating base in an austere environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Barry Bethea, an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting specialist with Marine Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, fireman carries a simulated casualty to a medical station during an unexpected mass casualty drill while participating in exercise Eagle Wrath 2017 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 15, 2017. The purpose of the drill was to see how medical personnel react in coalition with the Marines to make sure they are working in a fluid manner. Eagle Wrath 2017 is a two-week training evolution focusing on air base ground defense and establishing a forward operating base in an austere environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet takes off from Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia during exercise Cope West 17, Nov. 8, 2016. The combined training offered by this exercise helps prepare the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesia Air Force to work together in promoting a peaceful Indo-Asia-Pacific region while practicing close air support and air-to-air training that will enhance their to respond to contingencies throughout the region. Both the U.S. F/A-18D Hornets and Indonesian F-16 Fighting Falcons bring unique capabilities affording the associated nations the opportunity to learn and understand each other’s skills, preparing them for real world contingencies and further strengthening their relationship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet takes off from Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia during exercise Cope West 17, Nov. 8, 2016. The combined training offered by this exercise helps prepare the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesia Air Force to work together in promoting a peaceful Indo-Asia-Pacific region while practicing close air support and air-to-air training that will enhance their to respond to contingencies throughout the region. Both the U.S. F/A-18D Hornets and Indonesian F-16 Fighting Falcons bring unique capabilities affording the associated nations the opportunity to learn and understand each other’s skills, preparing them for real world contingencies and further strengthening their relationship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Nightwine, quality assurance chief, and Cpl. Jonathan Castillo, an airframe mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 225, demonstrate Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques during a visit at Sekolah Menengah Eben Haezar Manado High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 9, 2016. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered service members the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. The Marines and Sailors then played basketball against the school basketball teams, losing 50-22 after playing three games. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Nightwine, quality assurance chief, and Cpl. Jonathan Castillo, an airframe mechanic with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 225, demonstrate Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques during a visit at Sekolah Menengah Eben Haezar Manado High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 9, 2016. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered service members the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. The Marines and Sailors then played basketball against the school basketball teams, losing 50-22 after playing three games. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Delwin K. Ellington, sergeant major of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, presents a signed basketball to Deysie Lumowa, the head mistress at Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri 1 High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 4, 2016. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered service members the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. At the end of the event, Marines and Sailors exchanged gifts with Lumowa, showing each other’s appreciation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Delwin K. Ellington, sergeant major of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, presents a signed basketball to Deysie Lumowa, the head mistress at Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri 1 High School in Manado, Indonesia, Nov. 4, 2016. As part of a community relations event, the visit offered service members the opportunity to engage in cultural exchanges and build relationships within the local community. At the end of the event, Marines and Sailors exchanged gifts with Lumowa, showing each other’s appreciation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Stephen N. McClune, bottom, commanding officer, and Maj. Jon Von Seggern, operations officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, exit their F/A-18D Hornet upon arrival to Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia, in preparation of exercise Cope West 17, Oct. 27, 2016. This fighter-focused, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force is designed to enhance the readiness of combined interoperability between the two nations. Cope West 17 is the first fighter-focused exercise in 19 years involving the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Stephen N. McClune, bottom, commanding officer, and Maj. Jon Von Seggern, operations officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225, exit their F/A-18D Hornet upon arrival to Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia, in preparation of exercise Cope West 17, Oct. 27, 2016. This fighter-focused, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force is designed to enhance the readiness of combined interoperability between the two nations. Cope West 17 is the first fighter-focused exercise in 19 years involving the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)