News Stories

Kiyotaka Nozaki, right, Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau deputy procurement director, presents a painting to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert V. Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, during the grand opening of the Command Assembly Hall at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, July 1, 2016. Costing approximately $28 million, construction of the building began September 2013 and finished March 2016 with an additional $1.5 million spent furnishing the facility. The old 20,776 square foot theater, which opened in 1954, is scheduled to be demolished in order to expand the Child Development Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Kiyotaka Nozaki, right, Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau deputy procurement director, presents a painting to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert V. Boucher, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni commanding officer, during the grand opening of the Command Assembly Hall at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, July 1, 2016. Costing approximately $28 million, construction of the building began September 2013 and finished March 2016 with an additional $1.5 million spent furnishing the facility. The old 20,776 square foot theater, which opened in 1954, is scheduled to be demolished in order to expand the Child Development Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Darnell T. Richardson, right, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron sergeant major, passes the squadron guidon to Lt. Col. Karl T. Schmidt, outgoing H&HS commanding officer, during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 30, 2016. The passing of the guidon symbolizes the end of Schmidt’s role as commanding officer after serving in the position since June 9, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Farbo/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Darnell T. Richardson, right, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron sergeant major, passes the squadron guidon to Lt. Col. Karl T. Schmidt, outgoing H&HS commanding officer, during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 30, 2016. The passing of the guidon symbolizes the end of Schmidt’s role as commanding officer after serving in the position since June 9, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Farbo/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Eckert performs an abdominal exercise with an ammo can while stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Currently serving as a motor transport mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Eckert’s passion for physical fitness grew once he enlisted and finds ways to incorporate exercises into his daily activities. (Courtesy Photo) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Eckert performs an abdominal exercise with an ammo can while stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Currently serving as a motor transport mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Eckert’s passion for physical fitness grew once he enlisted and finds ways to incorporate exercises into his daily activities. (Courtesy Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Harley Damarputra, an aviation life-support equipment technician and collateral duty inspector with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, checks the communication system in a pilot’s helmet during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 16, 2016. Damarputra supports the squadron as a life-support equipment technician and collateral duty inspector by ensuring the pilots’ safety gear is working properly. (U.S. Marine Corps photo Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Harley Damarputra, an aviation life-support equipment technician and collateral duty inspector with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, checks the communication system in a pilot’s helmet during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 16, 2016. Damarputra supports the squadron as a life-support equipment technician and collateral duty inspector by ensuring the pilots’ safety gear is working properly. (U.S. Marine Corps photo Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Sanford, Combat Logistics Company 36’s new commanding officer, addresses Marines during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 20, 2016. Capt. Roderick Singleton Jr. relinquished his authority of CLC-36’s commanding officer to Sanford. Sanford will be assuming his first position of commanding officer after serving as the Marine Corps Installations Pacific installation motor transport officer for two years before becoming the plans and operations officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Sanford, Combat Logistics Company 36’s new commanding officer, addresses Marines during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 20, 2016. Capt. Roderick Singleton Jr. relinquished his authority of CLC-36’s commanding officer to Sanford. Sanford will be assuming his first position of commanding officer after serving as the Marine Corps Installations Pacific installation motor transport officer for two years before becoming the plans and operations officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Malcolm Cappelle, a quality assurance safety observer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, and forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, inspects a CATM 9X training missile during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 16, 2016. Cappelle is inspecting the ordnance to make sure it’s secured properly on the squadron’s F/A-18C Hornet fighter jet in support of exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Malcolm Cappelle, a quality assurance safety observer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, and forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, inspects a CATM 9X training missile during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 16, 2016. Cappelle is inspecting the ordnance to make sure it’s secured properly on the squadron’s F/A-18C Hornet fighter jet in support of exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released)

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, takes-off from the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during its participation in Red Flag-Alaska 16-2, June 7, 2016. Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 provides squadrons the opportunity to train with joint and international units, increasing their combat skills by participating in simulated combat situations in a realistic threat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, takes-off from the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during its participation in Red Flag-Alaska 16-2, June 7, 2016. Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 provides squadrons the opportunity to train with joint and international units, increasing their combat skills by participating in simulated combat situations in a realistic threat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rebecca Allen, vocalist with the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia Showcase jazz ensemble performs at the Iwakuni Civic Hall in Iwakuni, Japan, June 16, 2016. The band of the Pacific-Asia consists of 24 active-duty professional musicians who showcase their talents throughout the Western-Pacific region in support of military and community relations objectives. Based out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, The Pacific Air Force band was established as the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific at Eglin Field, Florida, in 1941. It is one of 12 U.S. Air Force bands, to include the 15-member detachment group stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Pacific Trends and other protocol groups also perform with the Pacific Air Force band and give an average of 200 performances a year for over 125,000 people. Hong Kong, Burma, Guam, Singapore, India, Mongolia, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Laos, Korea and Japan are some of the past locations the airmen have performed at for military personnel and foreign communities. - U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Rebecca Allen, vocalist with the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia Showcase jazz ensemble performs at the Iwakuni Civic Hall in Iwakuni, Japan, June 16, 2016. The band of the Pacific-Asia consists of 24 active-duty professional musicians who showcase their talents throughout the Western-Pacific region in support of military and community relations objectives. Based out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, The Pacific Air Force band was established as the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific at Eglin Field, Florida, in 1941. It is one of 12 U.S. Air Force bands, to include the 15-member detachment group stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Pacific Trends and other protocol groups also perform with the Pacific Air Force band and give an average of 200 performances a year for over 125,000 people. Hong Kong, Burma, Guam, Singapore, India, Mongolia, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Laos, Korea and Japan are some of the past locations the airmen have performed at for military personnel and foreign communities.

From left to right, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Daniel Shipley, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 12, Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan B. Davis, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear officer in charge with MAG-12, and Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Joy, CBRN defense officer with 3rd Marine Division, CBRN defense platoon, Headquarters Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, discuss mission objectives during exercise Habu Sentinel 16, at Disaster Village, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 7, 2016. Third Marine Division CBRN Marines traveled to MCAS Iwakuni for this event and worked with MAG-12 personnel in developing technical skills critical to their profession. As the annual capstone exercise for the division’s response element, this event encompasses multiple objectives specific to CBRN response and validates unit standard operating procedures in an unfamiliar training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada/Released) - From left to right, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Daniel Shipley, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 12, Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan B. Davis, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear officer in charge with MAG-12, and Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Joy, CBRN defense officer with 3rd Marine Division, CBRN defense platoon, Headquarters Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, discuss mission objectives during exercise Habu Sentinel 16, at Disaster Village, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 7, 2016. Third Marine Division CBRN Marines traveled to MCAS Iwakuni for this event and worked with MAG-12 personnel in developing technical skills critical to their profession. As the annual capstone exercise for the division’s response element, this event encompasses multiple objectives specific to CBRN response and validates unit standard operating procedures in an unfamiliar training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada/Released)

Air Force One lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 27, 2016. President Barack Obama visited MCAS Iwakuni and spoke with service members and their families after the Ise-Shima Group of Seven Summit meeting. The G7 Summit is a meeting of the leaders of the G7 countries which include: Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Canada. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released) - Air Force One lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 27, 2016. President Barack Obama visited MCAS Iwakuni and spoke with service members and their families after the Ise-Shima Group of Seven Summit meeting. The G7 Summit is a meeting of the leaders of the G7 countries which include: Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Canada. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released)