Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Marine Corps Community Services hosted the 2014 Summer Music Festival at Penny Lake fields aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 6. Attractions ranged from free food, live performances, a kid’s play land, and a feature performance from country music song writers Annie Bosko and Danny Myrick. - Marine Corps Community Services hosted the 2014 Summer Music Festival at Penny Lake fields aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 6. Attractions ranged from free food, live performances, a kid’s play land, and a feature performance from country music song writers Annie Bosko and Danny Myrick.

Pfc. Brandon Messina, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, carries a bag of trash past a “no littering” sign during a river cleanup, sponsored by the Single Marine Program, in Asakita-ku, Hiroshima, Sept. 5, 2014. This was the first cleanup the SMP conducted in Hiroshima recently. - Pfc. Brandon Messina, a volunteer from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, carries a bag of trash past a “no littering” sign during a river cleanup, sponsored by the Single Marine Program, in Asakita-ku, Hiroshima, Sept. 5, 2014. This was the first cleanup the SMP conducted in Hiroshima recently.

A Marine works on a generator Sept. 1 on Tinian during preparation for Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. The squadron’s mission during the exercise is to prepare an airstrip and provide support for all participating units. Valiant Shield is a biennial exercise which focuses on the integration of joint training among U.S. forces. The Marine is with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - A Marine works on a generator Sept. 1 on Tinian during preparation for Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. The squadron’s mission during the exercise is to prepare an airstrip and provide support for all participating units. Valiant Shield is a biennial exercise which focuses on the integration of joint training among U.S. forces. The Marine is with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 ordnance Marines watch a GTR-18 missile, better known as a "Smokey SAM," launch toward a KC-130J Super Hercules on an island outside of Okinawa, Japan, during a threat reaction evolution, Aug. 26, 2014. The threat reaction evolution is a chance for pilots to stay up to date on their qualifications while keeping an alert and aware mindset for any arising combat scenario. - Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 ordnance Marines watch a GTR-18 missile, better known as a "Smokey SAM," launch toward a KC-130J Super Hercules on an island outside of Okinawa, Japan, during a threat reaction evolution, Aug. 26, 2014. The threat reaction evolution is a chance for pilots to stay up to date on their qualifications while keeping an alert and aware mindset for any arising combat scenario.

Tommy Davidson and Miss Gayle, entertainers with Kenny Hill’s All Star Comedy Slam pose with Gunnery Sgt. Denver Inopiquez and his sons inside the Marine Corps Exchange aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2014. As part of the comedy slam, Davidson and Gayle Davidson are slated to tour the air station, as well as performing a live comedy show inside Club Iwakuni. - Tommy Davidson and Miss Gayle, entertainers with Kenny Hill’s All Star Comedy Slam pose with Gunnery Sgt. Denver Inopiquez and his sons inside the Marine Corps Exchange aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2014. As part of the comedy slam, Davidson and Gayle Davidson are slated to tour the air station, as well as performing a live comedy show inside Club Iwakuni.

Powerline mechanic Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 perform maintenance on a KC-130J Super Hercules aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 19, 2014. Upon VMGR-152’s relocation to MCAS Iwakuni from their former home of Okinawa, Japan, in July, the squadron now utilizes new facilities and gear, making mission accomplishment easier. - Powerline mechanic Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 152 perform maintenance on a KC-130J Super Hercules aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 19, 2014. Upon VMGR-152’s relocation to MCAS Iwakuni from their former home of Okinawa, Japan, in July, the squadron now utilizes new facilities and gear, making mission accomplishment easier.

A heavy equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 utilizes an All-Terrain Crane to lift a Humvee on to the deck of a barge at the harbor aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 16, 2014. In preparation for Exercise Forager Fury III, Marines with MWSS-171 loaded nearly 300 pieces of heavy equipment slated to be used for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat flight training, as well as combat support training. - A heavy equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 utilizes an All-Terrain Crane to lift a Humvee on to the deck of a barge at the harbor aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 16, 2014. In preparation for Exercise Forager Fury III, Marines with MWSS-171 loaded nearly 300 pieces of heavy equipment slated to be used for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat flight training, as well as combat support training.

Master Sgt. Hideyuki Watabe, an infantryman with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force’s 13th Brigade, 46th Regiment, left, explains aspects of JGSDF training to Sgt. Giancarlo Maragni, a Corporals Couse instructor from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during an English seminar aboard JGSDF Base Kaita in Hiroshima, August 8, 2014. The purpose behind the tour was to provide Marines the opportunity to visit and experience the Japanese military lifestyle and training requisites. - Master Sgt. Hideyuki Watabe, an infantryman with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force’s 13th Brigade, 46th Regiment, left, explains aspects of JGSDF training to Sgt. Giancarlo Maragni, a Corporals Couse instructor from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during an English seminar aboard JGSDF Base Kaita in Hiroshima, August 8, 2014. The purpose behind the tour was to provide Marines the opportunity to visit and experience the Japanese military lifestyle and training requisites.

Col. Robert Boucher, station commanding officer, awards Lt. Col. James Walker, station airfield operations officer, the Meritorious Service Medal during his retirement ceremony, July 25, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Japan. The Meritorious Service Medal is a decoration presented to service members who distinguish themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service. - Col. Robert Boucher, station commanding officer, awards Lt. Col. James Walker, station airfield operations officer, the Meritorious Service Medal during his retirement ceremony, July 25, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Japan. The Meritorious Service Medal is a decoration presented to service members who distinguish themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service.