News Stories

Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Sgt. Maj. Keith Massi, sergeant major of MCAS Iwakuni, view replica models of Japanese battleships, aircraft carriers and destroyers while visiting the Kure Maritime Museum in Kure, Hiroshima, Jan. 14, 2015. Maj. Gen. Charles Hudson, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, gathered installation commanders, senior enlisted advisors and principle staff aboard MCAS Iwakuni, for the quarterly MCIPAC Camp Commander’s Conference, Jan. 12-15, 2015. - Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Sgt. Maj. Keith Massi, sergeant major of MCAS Iwakuni, view replica models of Japanese battleships, aircraft carriers and destroyers while visiting the Kure Maritime Museum in Kure, Hiroshima, Jan. 14, 2015. Maj. Gen. Charles Hudson, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, gathered installation commanders, senior enlisted advisors and principle staff aboard MCAS Iwakuni, for the quarterly MCIPAC Camp Commander’s Conference, Jan. 12-15, 2015.

Members of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines provide security during convoy operations training, Jan. 14, 2015, at Penny Lake Fields aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The training is part of combined arms training focused on improving unit cohesion and combat readiness. - Members of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines provide security during convoy operations training, Jan. 14, 2015, at Penny Lake Fields aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The training is part of combined arms training focused on improving unit cohesion and combat readiness.

Students from Josho Hoikuen in Iwakuni City, Japan, listen to a service member from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni read English books to them during a community relations preschool event hosted by the Marine Memorial Chapel, Jan. 13, 2015. Volunteers used picture books to teach the children English. - Students from Josho Hoikuen in Iwakuni City, Japan, listen to a service member from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni read English books to them during a community relations preschool event hosted by the Marine Memorial Chapel, Jan. 13, 2015. Volunteers used picture books to teach the children English.

Members of the local Iwakuni agricultural and societal cooperative associations pose for a photo with Lt. Col. Mike Carreiro, executive officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and members of the Matthew C. Perry Elementary School’s faculty and student body during the school’s mikan presentation inside the school’s gymnasium, Jan. 13, 2015, aboard station. The purpose of the event was to strengthen the bond between Iwakuni City residents and M.C. Perry students. Members of the associations presented M.C. Perry Elementary School with 20 boxes of mikans from Suo-Oshima Island. - Members of the local Iwakuni agricultural and societal cooperative associations pose for a photo with Lt. Col. Mike Carreiro, executive officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and members of the Matthew C. Perry Elementary School’s faculty and student body during the school’s mikan presentation inside the school’s gymnasium, Jan. 13, 2015, aboard station. The purpose of the event was to strengthen the bond between Iwakuni City residents and M.C. Perry students. Members of the associations presented M.C. Perry Elementary School with 20 boxes of mikans from Suo-Oshima Island.

Lance Cpl. John D. Barron, a military working dog handler with the Provost Marshal’s Office, practices giving Zaron, Barron’s military working dog, commands at the obedience course aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 12, 2015. The obedience course is used for teaching basic commands and physical training. - Lance Cpl. John D. Barron, a military working dog handler with the Provost Marshal’s Office, practices giving Zaron, Barron’s military working dog, commands at the obedience course aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 12, 2015. The obedience course is used for teaching basic commands and physical training.

Lance Cpl. Cody Freeman, an electrician with Combat Logistics Company 36 aboard Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, and a teacher from Kinnan Hoikuen in Iwakuni city, read English storybooks to students during a community relations visit, Jan. 9, 2015. Marines from CLC-36 visited the school to teach basic English, interact with the Japanese children and play popular American games. CLC-36’s continual interaction with this school helps preserve an important bond between the Marines and local Japanese. - Lance Cpl. Cody Freeman, an electrician with Combat Logistics Company 36 aboard Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, and a teacher from Kinnan Hoikuen in Iwakuni city, read English storybooks to students during a community relations visit, Jan. 9, 2015. Marines from CLC-36 visited the school to teach basic English, interact with the Japanese children and play popular American games. CLC-36’s continual interaction with this school helps preserve an important bond between the Marines and local Japanese.

Capt. Kevin Wheeler, the newly appointed Motor Transport Company commander with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, addresses his Marines during a change-of-command ceremony at the Motor-T lot, Jan. 9, 2015, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Wheeler is taking the position from Capt. George Ivascu, the squadrons newly appointed assistant operations officer. - Capt. Kevin Wheeler, the newly appointed Motor Transport Company commander with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, addresses his Marines during a change-of-command ceremony at the Motor-T lot, Jan. 9, 2015, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Wheeler is taking the position from Capt. George Ivascu, the squadrons newly appointed assistant operations officer.

The Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 distinguished marksmen in both pistol and rifle qualifications stand in front of their squadron holding the Shively Trophy, received for winning the Far East Division Matches, Jan. 9, 2015. MWSS-171 began their shooting in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 8, which led to a two-week culminating process of qualifying for individual awards and taking home the Shively Trophy. - The Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 distinguished marksmen in both pistol and rifle qualifications stand in front of their squadron holding the Shively Trophy, received for winning the Far East Division Matches, Jan. 9, 2015. MWSS-171 began their shooting in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 8, which led to a two-week culminating process of qualifying for individual awards and taking home the Shively Trophy.

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ShinMaywa US-2 takes flight from the water during the JMSDF Fleet Air Wing 31’s first flight training of the year aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 7, 2015. In the Japanese culture they believe a successful first flight brings good fortune for the rest of the year. - A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ShinMaywa US-2 takes flight from the water during the JMSDF Fleet Air Wing 31’s first flight training of the year aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 7, 2015. In the Japanese culture they believe a successful first flight brings good fortune for the rest of the year.

A child watches as Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services, USA, ascends the alter during a Roman Catholic mass inside the Marine Memorial Chapel aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 24, 2014. The Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, was created by Pope John Paul II in 1985. - A child watches as Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services, USA, ascends the alter during a Roman Catholic mass inside the Marine Memorial Chapel aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 24, 2014. The Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, was created by Pope John Paul II in 1985.