News Stories

Players from the Osan Cougars and Yokota Panthers girls’ soccer teams attempt to gain possession of the ball during the championship game in the Far East Soccer Tournament hosted by Matthew C. Perry High School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni May 19, 2016. The Far East Soccer Tournament is the largest soccer event that Department of Defense Education Activity Schools Pacific in Japan, Korea and International Schools have to look forward to compete in all season. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - Players from the Osan Cougars and Yokota Panthers girls’ soccer teams attempt to gain possession of the ball during the championship game in the Far East Soccer Tournament hosted by Matthew C. Perry High School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni May 19, 2016. The Far East Soccer Tournament is the largest soccer event that Department of Defense Education Activity Schools Pacific in Japan, Korea and International Schools have to look forward to compete in all season. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released)

From left to right, Col. Daniel Shipley, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 12, Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Solla, postal officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, conduct the grand opening ceremony for the new south side post office on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 9, 2016. The new post office will start delivering and sending mail on opening day. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released) - From left to right, Col. Daniel Shipley, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 12, Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Solla, postal officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, conduct the grand opening ceremony for the new south side post office on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 9, 2016. The new post office will start delivering and sending mail on opening day. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released)

Flight line fuel operations with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron receive the American Petroleum Institute Award on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 2, 2016. The award –presented by Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, on behalf of the Naval Systems Supply Command- recognizes the most outstanding fuel facility in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released) - Flight line fuel operations with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron receive the American Petroleum Institute Award on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 2, 2016. The award –presented by Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, on behalf of the Naval Systems Supply Command- recognizes the most outstanding fuel facility in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released)

MV-22 Osprey squadron, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 17-18, 2016, in support of the Government of Japan's relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes near Kumamoto. The long-standing alliance between Japan and the U.S allows U.S military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support top the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - MV-22 Osprey squadron, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 17-18, 2016, in support of the Government of Japan's relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes near Kumamoto. The long-standing alliance between Japan and the U.S allows U.S military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support top the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/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) - 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)

Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists the Government of Japan in supporting those affected by recent earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, April 18, 2016. VMM-265 picked up supplies from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Takayubaru and delivered them to Hakusui Sports Park in the Kumamoto Prefecture. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released) - Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists the Government of Japan in supporting those affected by recent earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, April 18, 2016. VMM-265 picked up supplies from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Takayubaru and delivered them to Hakusui Sports Park in the Kumamoto Prefecture. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released)

Japanese media interview Capt. Tessa Snow, an MV-22B Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in support of the Government of Japan’s relief efforts following yesterday’s devastating earthquake near Kumamoto April 17, 2016. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo/Released) - Japanese media interview Capt. Tessa Snow, an MV-22B Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in support of the Government of Japan’s relief efforts following yesterday’s devastating earthquake near Kumamoto April 17, 2016. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo/Released)

Maya Pugh, a teen from Yokosuka Naval Base, receives the 2016 Asia Military Youth of the Year Award during the 2016 Asia Keystone Conference at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 13, 2016. Teens from across the pacific region gathered to find out the winner of the 2016 Asia Military Youth of the Year Award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released) - Maya Pugh, a teen from Yokosuka Naval Base, receives the 2016 Asia Military Youth of the Year Award during the 2016 Asia Keystone Conference at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 13, 2016. Teens from across the pacific region gathered to find out the winner of the 2016 Asia Military Youth of the Year Award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released)

Sgt. Isaac Ross, aircraft rescue firefighter with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, helps a child with the fire hose during Junior Recruit Day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 8, 2016. Junior Recruit Day allowed the children of service member’s assigned Marine Aircraft Group 12 to get a first-hand look at what their military parent’s experiences on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio) - Sgt. Isaac Ross, aircraft rescue firefighter with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, helps a child with the fire hose during Junior Recruit Day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 8, 2016. Junior Recruit Day allowed the children of service member’s assigned Marine Aircraft Group 12 to get a first-hand look at what their military parent’s experiences on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio)

The Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport Use Promotion Council and distinguished guests celebrate the addition of two new flights to the Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport March 27, 2016. The celebration included an Eisaa Okinawa Drum Demonstration, a Ryuky-Koku-Matsuri Daiko Drum performance and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Distinguished guests expressed their appreciation toward the Ministry of Defense; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; MCAS Iwakuni and other organizations involved in the adoption of these new flights. The airport and additional flights will contribute to the exchange of people and culture among Iwakuni, Okinawa and other countries in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio/Released) - The Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport Use Promotion Council and distinguished guests celebrate the addition of two new flights to the Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport March 27, 2016. The celebration included an Eisaa Okinawa Drum Demonstration, a Ryuky-Koku-Matsuri Daiko Drum performance and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Distinguished guests expressed their appreciation toward the Ministry of Defense; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; MCAS Iwakuni and other organizations involved in the adoption of these new flights. The airport and additional flights will contribute to the exchange of people and culture among Iwakuni, Okinawa and other countries in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Antonio J. Rubio/Released)