News Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gary W. Thomason, exeutive officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, discusses military operations with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Mitsuhiko Nakadai, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Tanaka, JMSDF Capt. Madoka Sato and JMSDF Cmdr. Hiroko Takigawa, instructors from the Japanese Joint Staff College, during their visit to the air station in Iwakuni, Japan, May 9, 2016. The Japanese Joint Staff College instructors visited MCAS Iwakuni to learn about Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gary W. Thomason, exeutive officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, discusses military operations with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Mitsuhiko Nakadai, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Tanaka, JMSDF Capt. Madoka Sato and JMSDF Cmdr. Hiroko Takigawa, instructors from the Japanese Joint Staff College, during their visit to the air station in Iwakuni, Japan, May 9, 2016. The Japanese Joint Staff College instructors visited MCAS Iwakuni to learn about Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released)

Iwakuni City firefighters carry a casualty to an ambulance during the Mass Casualty Exercise 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 23, 2016. Conducted in preparation for the JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2016 Air Show, the exercise simulated a dual aircraft collision where large crowds will be expected. The JMSDF participated in the exercise to enhance bilateral cooperation with U.S. first responders, establish safety measures and maintain situational readiness. To make the exercise more realistic, first responders did not know when, where or what would happen. After evaluating last year’s exercise, more residents participated in the exercise as actors and selected as either a casualty or bystander. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Iwakuni City firefighters carry a casualty to an ambulance during the Mass Casualty Exercise 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 23, 2016. Conducted in preparation for the JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2016 Air Show, the exercise simulated a dual aircraft collision where large crowds will be expected. The JMSDF participated in the exercise to enhance bilateral cooperation with U.S. first responders, establish safety measures and maintain situational readiness. To make the exercise more realistic, first responders did not know when, where or what would happen. After evaluating last year’s exercise, more residents participated in the exercise as actors and selected as either a casualty or bystander. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviators assist each other in boarding an inflatable raft during Winter Survival Training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9-11, 2016. Mandatory for all aviators and aircrew, the JMSDF conducts this training semi-annually, once in the summer and once in the winter. The final portion consisted of drifting training where the aviators dressed in Taikan Taisui Fuku, a cold and water resistant suit. They jumped into the water, swam to inflatable-life-saving boats and worked as a team to climb aboard. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviators assist each other in boarding an inflatable raft during Winter Survival Training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9-11, 2016. Mandatory for all aviators and aircrew, the JMSDF conducts this training semi-annually, once in the summer and once in the winter. The final portion consisted of drifting training where the aviators dressed in Taikan Taisui Fuku, a cold and water resistant suit. They jumped into the water, swam to inflatable-life-saving boats and worked as a team to climb aboard. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Air Reconnaissance Squadron VQ-81 and Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron VQ-1 pose for a group picture at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 8, 2015. VQ-1 came to MCAS Iwakuni for an annual unit exchange between VQ-1 and VQ-81. The two units discussed their plans to increase their unit interoperability, strengthening the bond between the two units. - Members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Air Reconnaissance Squadron VQ-81 and Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron VQ-1 pose for a group picture at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 8, 2015. VQ-1 came to MCAS Iwakuni for an annual unit exchange between VQ-1 and VQ-81. The two units discussed their plans to increase their unit interoperability, strengthening the bond between the two units.

Station residents and instructors pose for a group photo during a tea ceremony with the Omotesenke Tea Ceremony Club hosted by the Cultural Adaptation Program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 17, 2015. Programs like these help familiarize Americans with the culture of Japan, which they are now a part of. - Station residents and instructors pose for a group photo during a tea ceremony with the Omotesenke Tea Ceremony Club hosted by the Cultural Adaptation Program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 17, 2015. Programs like these help familiarize Americans with the culture of Japan, which they are now a part of.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, right, and Rear Adm. Naoki Sonoda, commander of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Fleet Air Wing 31, left, say their goodbyes at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force hangar, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 29, 2015. Dolan set aside time during his brief stop at the station to reconnect with the JMSDF service members who rescued him after an aircraft collision almost two decades ago. Dolan ejected from his F-16, 630 nautical miles away from Tokyo into the Pacific Ocean, where he was saved almost five hours later by the Japanese aircraft rescue crew. - U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, right, and Rear Adm. Naoki Sonoda, commander of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Fleet Air Wing 31, left, say their goodbyes at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force hangar, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 29, 2015. Dolan set aside time during his brief stop at the station to reconnect with the JMSDF service members who rescued him after an aircraft collision almost two decades ago. Dolan ejected from his F-16, 630 nautical miles away from Tokyo into the Pacific Ocean, where he was saved almost five hours later by the Japanese aircraft rescue crew.

Visitors wait in line to enter a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day 2015 Air Show aboard MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 3, 2015. This year the event expanded to combine both the Fleet Air Wing 31 annual Open House and the traditional MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, resulting in the first ever joint Friendship Day air show. The event allowed visitors a chance to see the military installation and interact with Japanese and American service members while enjoying performances from the Breitling Wingwalkers, Blue Impulse and much more. - Visitors wait in line to enter a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day 2015 Air Show aboard MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 3, 2015. This year the event expanded to combine both the Fleet Air Wing 31 annual Open House and the traditional MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, resulting in the first ever joint Friendship Day air show. The event allowed visitors a chance to see the military installation and interact with Japanese and American service members while enjoying performances from the Breitling Wingwalkers, Blue Impulse and much more.

Aircraft Rescue Firefighters with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron work together to evacuate a casualty during the mass casualty exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 3, 2015. MCAS Iwakuni conducted the exercise in preparation for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2015 Air Show. The exercise simulated an aircraft crash and oil spill in a crowded area. - Aircraft Rescue Firefighters with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron work together to evacuate a casualty during the mass casualty exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 3, 2015. MCAS Iwakuni conducted the exercise in preparation for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2015 Air Show. The exercise simulated an aircraft crash and oil spill in a crowded area.

A participant hooks bait to his fishing line at the fishing tournament hosted by Marine Corps Community Services aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, at the station harbor, March 28, 2015. MCCS uses these events to help build camaraderie and offer service members a way to relax. This is the second tournament this year and this time they invited members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. - A participant hooks bait to his fishing line at the fishing tournament hosted by Marine Corps Community Services aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, at the station harbor, March 28, 2015. MCCS uses these events to help build camaraderie and offer service members a way to relax. This is the second tournament this year and this time they invited members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ShinMaywa US-2 takes flight from the water during the JMSDF Fleet Air Wing 31’s first flight training of the year aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 7, 2015. In the Japanese culture they believe a successful first flight brings good fortune for the rest of the year. - A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ShinMaywa US-2 takes flight from the water during the JMSDF Fleet Air Wing 31’s first flight training of the year aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 7, 2015. In the Japanese culture they believe a successful first flight brings good fortune for the rest of the year.