News Stories

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dugger - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Austin Tomarchio, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (HHS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Nashville, Tennessee, observes radar signatures in the radar room at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 31, 2026. Sgt. Austin Tomarchio was the primary subject for a story about air traffic controllers stationed at MCAS Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Dugger)

Air station residents attend Bon Odori Festival - Volunteers from the Iwakuni Shiritsu Junior High School and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni dance with Kinjuen Nursing Home residents in Iwakuni City, Japan, Aug. 14, 2018. They came together to participate in a Bon Odori Festival. The dance was part of the Bon Odori Festival that was held in order to celebrate the Japanese holiday Obon, a Japanese Buddhist custom that honors the spirits of their ancestors from Aug. 13-16. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

Station residents and Japanese participants begin a half marathon during the 49th Kintai Marathon on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan April 17, 2016. With more than 500 athletes, the marathon is one of the few events that invites Japanese citizens on the air station and provides a great opportunity for MCAS Iwakuni personnel to show support of their host nation through running, said Mai Tajima, SemperFit recreation specialist. The full marathon first place for the men was Yoshihisa Nagashita, 34, completing at 2 hours, 40 minutes, 21 seconds, and for the women was Hitomi Matsubara, 45, completing at 3:27:25. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan D. Wicks /Released) - Station residents and Japanese participants begin a half marathon during the 49th Kintai Marathon on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan April 17, 2016. With more than 500 athletes, the marathon is one of the few events that invites Japanese citizens on the air station and provides a great opportunity for MCAS Iwakuni personnel to show support of their host nation through running, said Mai Tajima, SemperFit recreation specialist. The full marathon first place for the men was Yoshihisa Nagashita, 34, completing at 2 hours, 40 minutes, 21 seconds, and for the women was Hitomi Matsubara, 45, completing at 3:27:25. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan D. Wicks /Released)

Racers take off from the starting line after setting their watches to help pace themselves for the 45th annual Kintai Marathon around Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni April 15, 2012. Racers began clumped together, but the pack quickly thinned as many racers sped past or dropped behind the rest of the pack. The race isn’t about winning for some competitors; some just love the thought of completing the race. The ability for all of these racers to complete the 26-mile race takes training and keeps these runners fit and healthy. - Racers take off from the starting line after setting their watches to help pace themselves for the 45th annual Kintai Marathon around Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni April 15, 2012. Racers began clumped together, but the pack quickly thinned as many racers sped past or dropped behind the rest of the pack. The race isn’t about winning for some competitors; some just love the thought of completing the race. The ability for all of these racers to complete the 26-mile race takes training and keeps these runners fit and healthy.

The glow of vendor stands illuminates the area on the banks of the Nishikigawa during the 43rd annual Nishikigawa River Water Festival near the Kintai Bridge Aug. 7. Booths were set up all along the river bank to peddle a variety of wares including toys, Japanese delicacies and candy. - The glow of vendor stands illuminates the area on the banks of the Nishikigawa during the 43rd annual Nishikigawa River Water Festival near the Kintai Bridge Aug. 7. Booths were set up all along the river bank to peddle a variety of wares including toys, Japanese delicacies and candy.