Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

From left to right, Brad Arnold, Justin Biltonen, and Chet Roberts, members of 3 Doors Down, perform during a free concert for residents of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 14, 2016. Members of the band said they do these tours in order to give back to the men and women who have already given so much. - From left to right, Brad Arnold, Justin Biltonen, and Chet Roberts, members of 3 Doors Down, perform during a free concert for residents of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 14, 2016. Members of the band said they do these tours in order to give back to the men and women who have already given so much.

Marines with Combat Logistics Company 36 inspect Santa’s sleigh before kicking off the annual 1.5k Jingle Bell Jog at the IronWorks Gym, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The Jingle Bell Jog is an event for service members and their families to show off their holiday spirit as they run through the station. Events like this help raise spirits and build camaraderie during the holiday season while most service members are away from their families. - Marines with Combat Logistics Company 36 inspect Santa’s sleigh before kicking off the annual 1.5k Jingle Bell Jog at the IronWorks Gym, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The Jingle Bell Jog is an event for service members and their families to show off their holiday spirit as they run through the station. Events like this help raise spirits and build camaraderie during the holiday season while most service members are away from their families.

Volunteers from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, wish residents at the Vita Nursing Home in Iwakuni, a merry Christmas after caroling on Dec. 16, 2015. The chapel coordinated this community even as an opportunity to experience Japanese culture, give back to the local community and strengthen the bond between the U.S. and Japan. Nursing home residents expressed happiness, appreciation and shed tears of joy toward the residents. - Volunteers from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, wish residents at the Vita Nursing Home in Iwakuni, a merry Christmas after caroling on Dec. 16, 2015. The chapel coordinated this community even as an opportunity to experience Japanese culture, give back to the local community and strengthen the bond between the U.S. and Japan. Nursing home residents expressed happiness, appreciation and shed tears of joy toward the residents.

From left to right, Lilly Barnes, Janessa Rivera, and Brinley Barnes, students at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, pose for a group picture during Literacy Night at M.C. Perry Elementary School on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 15, 2015. Literacy Night promotes the importance of reading in a way the children find fun and enjoyable. - From left to right, Lilly Barnes, Janessa Rivera, and Brinley Barnes, students at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, pose for a group picture during Literacy Night at M.C. Perry Elementary School on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 15, 2015. Literacy Night promotes the importance of reading in a way the children find fun and enjoyable.

Yuki Kintanaka, a student at Bunkyo Women’s University in Hiroshima, Japan, performs a traditional dance for Matthew C. Perry High School students at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Nov. 23, 2015. Bunkyo Women’s University students visited the station to learn about American culture as well as teach the American students a little about their own. School trips like this help the bond between Japan and the U.S. grow stronger. - Yuki Kintanaka, a student at Bunkyo Women’s University in Hiroshima, Japan, performs a traditional dance for Matthew C. Perry High School students at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Nov. 23, 2015. Bunkyo Women’s University students visited the station to learn about American culture as well as teach the American students a little about their own. School trips like this help the bond between Japan and the U.S. grow stronger.

Participants give one last war cry before marching off at the Kuragake Castle Festival in Kuga, Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 22, 2015. The festival honors the local Kuga samurai who urged their castle lord to take a last stand against a much larger enemy force. According to event coordinators, U.S. participants in the 26th annual Kuragake Castle Festival boosted the spirit of the festival and made the stage performance one of their most highlighted events. - Participants give one last war cry before marching off at the Kuragake Castle Festival in Kuga, Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 22, 2015. The festival honors the local Kuga samurai who urged their castle lord to take a last stand against a much larger enemy force. According to event coordinators, U.S. participants in the 26th annual Kuragake Castle Festival boosted the spirit of the festival and made the stage performance one of their most highlighted events.

Kaede Nursing Home residents painted Christmas ornaments during the National Honor Society’s visit to the home in Iwakuni Yamaguchi, Japan, Nov. 17, 2015. The National Honor Society students visited this home for the first time in 2014 and were invited to come back again. Events like this show the local community that station residents care about them and want to build bonds. - Kaede Nursing Home residents painted Christmas ornaments during the National Honor Society’s visit to the home in Iwakuni Yamaguchi, Japan, Nov. 17, 2015. The National Honor Society students visited this home for the first time in 2014 and were invited to come back again. Events like this show the local community that station residents care about them and want to build bonds.

A family races to the finish line during a Superhero Fun Run on the Seawall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 31, 2015. The 1.5K run allowed station residents to celebrate the Halloween festivities while being physically active. Snacks and beverages waited at the finish line as participants crossed. Once bellies were filled, families had the opportunity to take their photos with an outline of a comic-style city backdrop. - A family races to the finish line during a Superhero Fun Run on the Seawall at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 31, 2015. The 1.5K run allowed station residents to celebrate the Halloween festivities while being physically active. Snacks and beverages waited at the finish line as participants crossed. Once bellies were filled, families had the opportunity to take their photos with an outline of a comic-style city backdrop.

Station volunteers and orphans from Garden of Light Children’s Home in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, trick-or-treat during a Halloween event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Oct. 31, 2015. During their visit, 50 station volunteers escorted 15 orphans to a haunted house operated by Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, enjoyed bonding over dinner and trick-or-treating around the air station. While trick-or-treating, visitors and volunteers could see how station residents celebrate the spooky holiday, from the eccentric costumes to the decorated houses. - Station volunteers and orphans from Garden of Light Children’s Home in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, trick-or-treat during a Halloween event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Oct. 31, 2015. During their visit, 50 station volunteers escorted 15 orphans to a haunted house operated by Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, enjoyed bonding over dinner and trick-or-treating around the air station. While trick-or-treating, visitors and volunteers could see how station residents celebrate the spooky holiday, from the eccentric costumes to the decorated houses.

Service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Japanese children from Ekimae Hoikuen Pre-school visited the Vita Nursing Home in Iwakuni City, Oct. 27, 2015. The community relations event, hosted by the Marine Memorial Chapel on the air station, gave service members the opportunity to interact with the Japanese youth and teach them about Halloween. The children also recited the American and Japanese alphabets with the senior citizens at the nursing home. - Service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Japanese children from Ekimae Hoikuen Pre-school visited the Vita Nursing Home in Iwakuni City, Oct. 27, 2015. The community relations event, hosted by the Marine Memorial Chapel on the air station, gave service members the opportunity to interact with the Japanese youth and teach them about Halloween. The children also recited the American and Japanese alphabets with the senior citizens at the nursing home.