Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, outbound Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 sergeant major, addresses the audience during his relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 12, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of Richardson’s role as MALS-12 sergeant major after assuming the role in June 2014. - Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, outbound Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 sergeant major, addresses the audience during his relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 12, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of Richardson’s role as MALS-12 sergeant major after assuming the role in June 2014.

A Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, VMFA(AW)-242, F/A-18D Hornet performs an engine test inside a hush house at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2015. These facilities are used to reduce noise in the local area when testing aircraft engines. Building and using facilities like these help strengthen the bond between the air station and the local community by showing that the station listens to the needs of the community and are doing their best to accommodate local citizens. - A Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, VMFA(AW)-242, F/A-18D Hornet performs an engine test inside a hush house at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2015. These facilities are used to reduce noise in the local area when testing aircraft engines. Building and using facilities like these help strengthen the bond between the air station and the local community by showing that the station listens to the needs of the community and are doing their best to accommodate local citizens.

Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron hosted the 2015 Jane Wayne Day, May 16, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Jane Wayne Day provides spouses and family members of Marines and sailors with the opportunity to get a taste of Marine Corps training and experience a day in the life of a Marine. - Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron hosted the 2015 Jane Wayne Day, May 16, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Jane Wayne Day provides spouses and family members of Marines and sailors with the opportunity to get a taste of Marine Corps training and experience a day in the life of a Marine.

Service members with MALS-12 arrive to begin cleaning up Tsuzu Beach during a community relations event conducted by the Marine Aircraft Group 12 Chaplain's Office aboadr Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni,Japan, March 13, 2015. Community relations events serve as an important tool in strengthening the bond between the U.S. and Japan. Major entities aboard station that conduct regular community relations events include the Marine Memorial Chapel, MAG-12 Chaplain's Office and the Single Marine Program. - Service members with MALS-12 arrive to begin cleaning up Tsuzu Beach during a community relations event conducted by the Marine Aircraft Group 12 Chaplain's Office aboadr Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni,Japan, March 13, 2015. Community relations events serve as an important tool in strengthening the bond between the U.S. and Japan. Major entities aboard station that conduct regular community relations events include the Marine Memorial Chapel, MAG-12 Chaplain's Office and the Single Marine Program.

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 completed the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 25 2014, when their F/A-18 Hornets flew out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program increased combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improved its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhanced joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focused on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets included, but weren’t limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. - Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 completed the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 25 2014, when their F/A-18 Hornets flew out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program increased combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improved its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhanced joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focused on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets included, but weren’t limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.

Gunnery Sgt. Osvaldo Rincon, powerline division chief with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, guides an F-18/A Hornet aboard Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to participate in the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 9, 2014, to increase the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improve its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhance joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focuses on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting units include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. - Gunnery Sgt. Osvaldo Rincon, powerline division chief with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, guides an F-18/A Hornet aboard Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to participate in the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 9, 2014, to increase the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improve its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhance joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focuses on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting units include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.

A Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 F/A-18C Hornet takes off from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, August 21, 2014. This was the last training flight for the squadron, nicknamed the “Werewolves,” during their unit level training on the island. The squadron participated in both Exercise Rim of the Pacific and ULT while part of the unit deployment program with Marine Aircraft Group 12, stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. - A Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 F/A-18C Hornet takes off from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, August 21, 2014. This was the last training flight for the squadron, nicknamed the “Werewolves,” during their unit level training on the island. The squadron participated in both Exercise Rim of the Pacific and ULT while part of the unit deployment program with Marine Aircraft Group 12, stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

Cpl. Christopher Molden, a non-destructive inspection technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, conducts an eddy-current inspection on an F/A-18C Hornet aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii July 21, 2014. Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 is in Hawaii supporting Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 during Rim of the Pacfic Exercise 2014. Rim of the Pacific is a multinational maritime exercise that provides a unique training opportunity which helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of the sea lanes and security of the world’s oceans. - Cpl. Christopher Molden, a non-destructive inspection technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, conducts an eddy-current inspection on an F/A-18C Hornet aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii July 21, 2014. Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 is in Hawaii supporting Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 during Rim of the Pacfic Exercise 2014. Rim of the Pacific is a multinational maritime exercise that provides a unique training opportunity which helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of the sea lanes and security of the world’s oceans.

From left to right, Lance Cpl. Jorge Meza, Lance Cpl. Shaqueal Coote, and Pfc. Kervens Beauplan recite the Oath of Allegiance aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 17, 2014. Before the oath, the Marines were interviewed about U. S. history by Walter Haith, the field office director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Attaché, Republic of Korea and Japan. - From left to right, Lance Cpl. Jorge Meza, Lance Cpl. Shaqueal Coote, and Pfc. Kervens Beauplan recite the Oath of Allegiance aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 17, 2014. Before the oath, the Marines were interviewed about U. S. history by Walter Haith, the field office director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Attaché, Republic of Korea and Japan.

Lt. Col. Kolter R. Miller, commanding officer of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, left, and Lt. Col. Michael D. Gonzalez salute colors during the MALS-12 change of command aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2014. Miller is taking over the first command of his career and said he is confident he is able to fill Gonzalez’s shoes. - Lt. Col. Kolter R. Miller, commanding officer of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, left, and Lt. Col. Michael D. Gonzalez salute colors during the MALS-12 change of command aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2014. Miller is taking over the first command of his career and said he is confident he is able to fill Gonzalez’s shoes.