News Stories

Photo by Staff Sergeant. Jessika Braden - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jayden Watson, a future operations noncommissioned officer with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), gives a presentation at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 15, 2023. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Watson joined the Marine Corps in 2019 to make headway toward a safe and healthy lifestyle and provide for his three younger siblings. Despite facing adversity throughout his career, Watson has contributed to the success of Marines on the installation by serving as a combat marksmanship coach, an accredited Lean Six Sigma Instructor, and an adversity recovery mentor. (Courtesy photo by Staff Sergeant. Jessika Braden)

photo by Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor - U.S. Army Sgt. Monica Laverdure (right), an Animal Care Specialist with Public Health Activity (PHA) Japan, Iwakuni Branch, and U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sierra Parks, a military working-dog handler assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Provost Marshal’s Office (PMO), discuss a military-working dog’s health at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 4, 2023. Laverdure, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of the few Soldiers stationed on MCAS Iwakuni’s veterinary treatment facility where she works to keep both military working dogs and personal pets on the air station healthy and active. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor)

Photo by Cpl. Isaac Orozco - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Sucik, an Engineman with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, steers a utility boat at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 19, 2022. Sucik, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, joined the Navy in 2020 and has since become MCAS Iwakuni’s H&HS Blue Jacket of the Year for 2022, as well as a part-time musician who performs his music at different venues. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Orozco)

Photo by Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen - Christopher Hamilton, left, a logistics specialist, and Fuyuko Yoneshige, the lead fire inspector of the fire department, go over a fire inspection checklist at Fire Station 1, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 29, 2022. The fire department safeguards property and personnel from emergency situations by providing all-hazard response services. To increase the community’s knowledge on fire prevention and education, the fire station hosts open houses and teaches classes throughout the year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen)

Photo by Cpl. Mitchell Austin - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nahla Beard, an Air Traffic Controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, attempts a Guinness world record at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, August 7, 2021. Cpl. Beard won the Guinness world record for most chest-to-ground burpees in one minute. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mitchell Austin)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai - The Legal Support Services Team (LSST) aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni virtually receives the 2020 Commandant's Award for Excellence in Legal Assistance, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, April 2, 2021. The LSST was recognized for providing a greater quality of service to residents on the air station compared to other Marine Corps installations, despite the small size of their office. This was the first time the air station won the award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Lennon Dregoiw - U.S. Navy Sailor HN Patrick Pierson, a preventive medicine technician with the Naval Family Branch Health Clinic (BHC), prepares an influenza vaccine during Exercise Active Shield aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 27, 2020. The BHC conducted a 72-hour mass immunization event to vaccinate all active-duty service members at the air station. Active Shield is an annual bilateral exercise partnering U.S. and Japanese forces for the protection and defense of MCAS Iwakuni and other assets in the region in order to sustain military operations in support of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lennon Dregoiw)

Swimmers dive into the water during a relay at IronWorks Gym Pool, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, February 16, 2020. The Tsunamis, the MCAS Iwakuni Schools' swim team hosted a friendly swim meet with Ocean Swim team, the local Iwakuni City swim team, in order to foster their friendship in sports. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai) - Swimmers dive into the water during a relay at IronWorks Gym Pool, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, February 16, 2020. The Tsunamis, the MCAS Iwakuni Schools' swim team hosted a friendly swim meet with Ocean Swim team, the local Iwakuni City swim team, in order to foster their friendship in sports. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai)

Taking a ride around MCAS Iwakuni - Local Japanese residents and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni residents pose for a group photo during a base visit at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 11, 2020. The visit offered Japanese residents a deeper understanding of the Air Station’s activities, daily life and American culture by visiting facilities such as the Iwakuni Middle School, Commissary and family housing finishing with lunch at the food court. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. J’vonnta Taylor)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai - A student from Iwakuni Middle School poses for a photo during a cultural exchange event at Kawashimo Junior High School, Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 11, 2020. This annual event allows middle school students from two different cultures to interact with each other.The exchange provided an opportunity for children from the air station to have a friendly competition with local Japanese students. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai)