Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Christopher Melling, the pilot training officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., enters and F/A-18C Hornet while wearing Joint Protective Aircrew Ensemble (JPACE) and Respirator equipment at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 29, 2017. VMFA-251 has intensified training on familiarizing aircrew members with the JPACE, a pilot’s Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense equipment, while still maintaining focus on the squadron’s mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael M. Rasmussen, assistant operations chief with Marine Air Group (MAG) 12, shows Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation students an F/A-18C Hornet during a Junior Officer Exchange Program visit at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 21, 2017. Students came from Ozuki Air Base to learn about MAG-12 and the F/A-18. They familiarized themselves with the aircraft during the visit by taking part in a flight simulator and by visiting a static display. Hosting the cadets helps them understand the relationship Japan holds with U.S. Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael M. Rasmussen, assistant operations chief with Marine Air Group (MAG) 12, shows Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviation students an F/A-18C Hornet during a Junior Officer Exchange Program visit at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 21, 2017. Students came from Ozuki Air Base to learn about MAG-12 and the F/A-18. They familiarized themselves with the aircraft during the visit by taking part in a flight simulator and by visiting a static display. Hosting the cadets helps them understand the relationship Japan holds with U.S. Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 takes off from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, March 22, 2017. The squadron left MCAS Miramar, Calif., March 11, 2017, and arrived at MCAS Iwakuni March 15. The squadron is part of the Unit Deployment Program and helps provide air support to III Marine Expeditionary Force through training and combat operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 takes off from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, March 22, 2017. The squadron left MCAS Miramar, Calif., March 11, 2017, and arrived at MCAS Iwakuni March 15. The squadron is part of the Unit Deployment Program and helps provide air support to III Marine Expeditionary Force through training and combat operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 3, 2014. The Hornet was loaded with ordnance for a bombing mission as part of the squadron’s unit level training, named Distant Frontier. - An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Sept. 3, 2014. The Hornet was loaded with ordnance for a bombing mission as part of the squadron’s unit level training, named Distant Frontier.

A VMFA-112 F/A-18 Hornet sits on the flight line here Aug. 16, 2013. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 is scheduled to be in Iwakini for approximately six months. - A VMFA-112 F/A-18 Hornet sits on the flight line here Aug. 16, 2013. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 is scheduled to be in Iwakini for approximately six months.

Lance Cpl. Nathan Durazo and Lance Cpl. Seth Rickard, ordnance technicians with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, unload ordnance from an F/A-18D Hornet jet here Monday. Maintainence crew worked hard to meet the squadron's demanding flight schedule for the day. - Lance Cpl. Nathan Durazo and Lance Cpl. Seth Rickard, ordnance technicians with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, unload ordnance from an F/A-18D Hornet jet here Monday. Maintainence crew worked hard to meet the squadron's demanding flight schedule for the day.

Lance Cpl. Kieth Shirley and Lance Cpl. Jesse Kyer, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 aircraft communication and navigation technicians, perform an electrical and fluids check during a prior to a familiarization flight here Sept. 2. VMFA(AW)-224 maintainers have to check to make sure the jets maintain enough hydrolic fluid for flight control systems to function properly. - Lance Cpl. Kieth Shirley and Lance Cpl. Jesse Kyer, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 aircraft communication and navigation technicians, perform an electrical and fluids check during a prior to a familiarization flight here Sept. 2. VMFA(AW)-224 maintainers have to check to make sure the jets maintain enough hydrolic fluid for flight control systems to function properly.