News Stories

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 move a flood light through the mud during exercise Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Haramura Maneuver Area in Hiroshima, Japan, Jan. 22, 2017. The exercise is a biannual, unit-level training exercise that is primarily focused on establishing a forward operating base and providing airfield operation services. MWSS-171 trains throughout the year completing exercises like Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 to enhance their technical skills, field experience and military occupational specialty capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Donato Maffin) - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 move a flood light through the mud during exercise Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Haramura Maneuver Area in Hiroshima, Japan, Jan. 22, 2017. The exercise is a biannual, unit-level training exercise that is primarily focused on establishing a forward operating base and providing airfield operation services. MWSS-171 trains throughout the year completing exercises like Kamoshika Wrath 17-1 to enhance their technical skills, field experience and military occupational specialty capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Donato Maffin)

Larry Wahl, the psychologist for Matthew C. Perry Schools, adresses elementary school students during the seventh annual mikan presentation at Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 19, 2017. Local farmers presented the sweet, easy-to-peel citrus fruit, which is similar to Mandarin oranges, to students expanding their experience of Japanese cultures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - Larry Wahl, the psychologist for Matthew C. Perry Schools, adresses elementary school students during the seventh annual mikan presentation at Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 19, 2017. Local farmers presented the sweet, easy-to-peel citrus fruit, which is similar to Mandarin oranges, to students expanding their experience of Japanese cultures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 18, 2017. VMFA-121 conducted a permanent change of station to MCAS Iwakuni, from MCAS Yuma, Ariz., and now belongs to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter, which is the world’s first operational supersonic short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft. The F-35B brings strategic agility, operational flexibility and tactical supremacy to III MEF with a mission radius greater than that of the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II in support of the U.S. – Japan alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson) - An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 18, 2017. VMFA-121 conducted a permanent change of station to MCAS Iwakuni, from MCAS Yuma, Ariz., and now belongs to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter, which is the world’s first operational supersonic short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft. The F-35B brings strategic agility, operational flexibility and tactical supremacy to III MEF with a mission radius greater than that of the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II in support of the U.S. – Japan alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Yamamoto Yuko, a local calligraphy instructor, helps a child from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni practice calligraphy during a calligraphy event in Waki Town, Japan, Jan. 7, 2017. The children learned how to write their goals in Kanji for the new year. Similar to the American tradition of New Year’s resolutions, the Japanese use calligraphy to write their goals at the beginning of every new year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - Yamamoto Yuko, a local calligraphy instructor, helps a child from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni practice calligraphy during a calligraphy event in Waki Town, Japan, Jan. 7, 2017. The children learned how to write their goals in Kanji for the new year. Similar to the American tradition of New Year’s resolutions, the Japanese use calligraphy to write their goals at the beginning of every new year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Utilities and Energy Management personnel posed for their annual office photo at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, 2016. The team helped MCAS Iwakuni reach gold-installation status for the Secretary of the Navy Energy and Water Management Award by submitting data of the air station’s utility and energy consumption to Headquarters Marine Corps. MCAS Iwakuni earned the title for the second year in a row for efficiently conserving energy. (courtesy photo) - Utilities and Energy Management personnel posed for their annual office photo at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, 2016. The team helped MCAS Iwakuni reach gold-installation status for the Secretary of the Navy Energy and Water Management Award by submitting data of the air station’s utility and energy consumption to Headquarters Marine Corps. MCAS Iwakuni earned the title for the second year in a row for efficiently conserving energy. (courtesy photo)

Event participants gather around a static display during the 40th Friendship Day Air Show at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2016. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has conducted a single-day air show and open house specifically designed to foster positive relationships between the air station and its Japanese hosts, and the event traditionally draws more than 200,000 visitors and participants. This year is the 40th Friendship Day, offering a culturally-enriching experience that displays the mutual support between the U.S. and Japan. This annual event showcases a variety of static displays, aviation performances and demonstrations, and offers food and entertainment for guests of the largest single-day event in Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Ricardo Morales) - Event participants gather around a static display during the 40th Friendship Day Air Show at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2016. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has conducted a single-day air show and open house specifically designed to foster positive relationships between the air station and its Japanese hosts, and the event traditionally draws more than 200,000 visitors and participants. This year is the 40th Friendship Day, offering a culturally-enriching experience that displays the mutual support between the U.S. and Japan. This annual event showcases a variety of static displays, aviation performances and demonstrations, and offers food and entertainment for guests of the largest single-day event in Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Ricardo Morales)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeffery Deal, aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist, passes a candy cane to May Yamane, a child with the local orphanage, during the ARFF Tsuta Orphanage Christmas party at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 10, 2016. ARFF holds the celebration annually to help spread holiday cheer to the orphans and to bring service members, their families and Japanese together. Marines volunteered their time and provided the children with a homemade, American meal. After dinner, a special guest came to greet the children. Santa Claus sat in a red sleigh passing out presents and candy canes to the kids. Marines were given the name, age and gender of a child from the orphanage, so they knew what kind of gift to buy for them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeffery Deal, aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist, passes a candy cane to May Yamane, a child with the local orphanage, during the ARFF Tsuta Orphanage Christmas party at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 10, 2016. ARFF holds the celebration annually to help spread holiday cheer to the orphans and to bring service members, their families and Japanese together. Marines volunteered their time and provided the children with a homemade, American meal. After dinner, a special guest came to greet the children. Santa Claus sat in a red sleigh passing out presents and candy canes to the kids. Marines were given the name, age and gender of a child from the orphanage, so they knew what kind of gift to buy for them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 conduct routine inspections and maintenance on the AV-8B Harriers during the Aviation Training Relocation Program at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. VMA-542 is conducting training with their harriers at Chitose Air Base in an effort to increase operational readiness between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Air Self Defense Force, improve interoperability and reduce noise concerns of aviation training on local communities by disseminating training locations throughout Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James A. Guillory) - U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 conduct routine inspections and maintenance on the AV-8B Harriers during the Aviation Training Relocation Program at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 7, 2016. VMA-542 is conducting training with their harriers at Chitose Air Base in an effort to increase operational readiness between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Air Self Defense Force, improve interoperability and reduce noise concerns of aviation training on local communities by disseminating training locations throughout Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James A. Guillory)

U.S. Navy Seaman Rebecca Mann, a member of the hazardous material team with the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic, supplies air to her mock patient at Marine Corps Air Station, Japan, Dec. 1, 2016. The clinic holds decontamination training biannually to prepare the base for real-world chemical contaminations. (U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera) - U.S. Navy Seaman Rebecca Mann, a member of the hazardous material team with the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic, supplies air to her mock patient at Marine Corps Air Station, Japan, Dec. 1, 2016. The clinic holds decontamination training biannually to prepare the base for real-world chemical contaminations. (U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

A samurai helmet sits to the side during the 27th annual Kuragake Festival and Samurai Parade in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 20, 2016. The helmet is part of a traditional samurai armor U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni donned before marching in the parade alongside local Japanese warriors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nicole Zurbrugg) - A samurai helmet sits to the side during the 27th annual Kuragake Festival and Samurai Parade in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 20, 2016. The helmet is part of a traditional samurai armor U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni donned before marching in the parade alongside local Japanese warriors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nicole Zurbrugg)