News Stories

Adam Boardman, a third grader at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, poses for a photo with Eugene Clark, Youth and Teen Center director, after winning a bike in a raffle during the 13th annual Month of the Military Child festival at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 9, 2016. The month of April honors and recognizes military children for the struggles they overcome such as frequent moves, school changes and separation from active duty parents. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Adam Boardman, a third grader at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, poses for a photo with Eugene Clark, Youth and Teen Center director, after winning a bike in a raffle during the 13th annual Month of the Military Child festival at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 9, 2016. The month of April honors and recognizes military children for the struggles they overcome such as frequent moves, school changes and separation from active duty parents. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/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)

Iwakuni City firefighters carry a casualty to an ambulance during the Mass Casualty Exercise 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 23, 2016. Conducted in preparation for the JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2016 Air Show, the exercise simulated a dual aircraft collision where large crowds will be expected. The JMSDF participated in the exercise to enhance bilateral cooperation with U.S. first responders, establish safety measures and maintain situational readiness. To make the exercise more realistic, first responders did not know when, where or what would happen. After evaluating last year’s exercise, more residents participated in the exercise as actors and selected as either a casualty or bystander. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Iwakuni City firefighters carry a casualty to an ambulance during the Mass Casualty Exercise 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 23, 2016. Conducted in preparation for the JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day 2016 Air Show, the exercise simulated a dual aircraft collision where large crowds will be expected. The JMSDF participated in the exercise to enhance bilateral cooperation with U.S. first responders, establish safety measures and maintain situational readiness. To make the exercise more realistic, first responders did not know when, where or what would happen. After evaluating last year’s exercise, more residents participated in the exercise as actors and selected as either a casualty or bystander. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/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) - 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)

Police Lt. Muneyuki Hirao, a police dog trainer at Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters, and his K-9 search for explosives during joint training with Marines from the Provost Marshal’s Office at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 22, 2016. Trained in a variety of areas such as locating explosives and narcotics and conducting patrols, handlers and their military working dogs train regularly in order to maintain operational readiness, become a more effective team and ensure the safety of the station residents. Sgt. Adrian Nanez, PMO kennel master with Headquarters and Headquarters, placed explosives in hidden locations while the duo waited out of site, resulting in a more cautious and thorough search, increasing the overall training effectiveness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Police Lt. Muneyuki Hirao, a police dog trainer at Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters, and his K-9 search for explosives during joint training with Marines from the Provost Marshal’s Office at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 22, 2016. Trained in a variety of areas such as locating explosives and narcotics and conducting patrols, handlers and their military working dogs train regularly in order to maintain operational readiness, become a more effective team and ensure the safety of the station residents. Sgt. Adrian Nanez, PMO kennel master with Headquarters and Headquarters, placed explosives in hidden locations while the duo waited out of site, resulting in a more cautious and thorough search, increasing the overall training effectiveness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni take pictures and enjoy their time during a Single Marine Program trip to Kannon-in Temple in Tottori Sakyu, Japan, March 20, 2016. During the two-day trip, Marines visited the Kannon-in Temple on the eastern side of Tottori City. Oana Ivanoff, Marine Lounge Manager with SMP, said the trip provided Marines the option to explore Japan and its culture at an affordable price, helped build morale and plans to conduct it again in the future. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni take pictures and enjoy their time during a Single Marine Program trip to Kannon-in Temple in Tottori Sakyu, Japan, March 20, 2016. During the two-day trip, Marines visited the Kannon-in Temple on the eastern side of Tottori City. Oana Ivanoff, Marine Lounge Manager with SMP, said the trip provided Marines the option to explore Japan and its culture at an affordable price, helped build morale and plans to conduct it again in the future. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Aguirre, right, a logistics specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, poses for a photo with Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, after being awarded the Marine Corps Installations Pacific Junior Sailor of the Year at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 10, 2016. Aguirre said becoming sailor of the year wasn’t an easy task and participating in Marine Corps activities helped him achieve his newly appointed title. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Aguirre, right, a logistics specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, poses for a photo with Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, after being awarded the Marine Corps Installations Pacific Junior Sailor of the Year at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 10, 2016. Aguirre said becoming sailor of the year wasn’t an easy task and participating in Marine Corps activities helped him achieve his newly appointed title. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviators assist each other in boarding an inflatable raft during Winter Survival Training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9-11, 2016. Mandatory for all aviators and aircrew, the JMSDF conducts this training semi-annually, once in the summer and once in the winter. The final portion consisted of drifting training where the aviators dressed in Taikan Taisui Fuku, a cold and water resistant suit. They jumped into the water, swam to inflatable-life-saving boats and worked as a team to climb aboard. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aviators assist each other in boarding an inflatable raft during Winter Survival Training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9-11, 2016. Mandatory for all aviators and aircrew, the JMSDF conducts this training semi-annually, once in the summer and once in the winter. The final portion consisted of drifting training where the aviators dressed in Taikan Taisui Fuku, a cold and water resistant suit. They jumped into the water, swam to inflatable-life-saving boats and worked as a team to climb aboard. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Matthew C. Perry High School conduct drill practice at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2016. The JROTC cadets took top honors during the Far East Marksmanship Competition at Camp Humphreys, Korea, Feb. 14-16, 2016, and the drill competition at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, Nov. 16-18, 2015. During the drill competition, M.C. Perry cadets placed first in uniform inspection and armed regulation, second in unarmed and armed exhibitions, and third place in unarmed regulation and color guard. After finishing with two 3rd place victories, two 2nd place victories, and two 1st place victories, the cadets achieved 1st place overall. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets from Matthew C. Perry High School conduct drill practice at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 9, 2016. The JROTC cadets took top honors during the Far East Marksmanship Competition at Camp Humphreys, Korea, Feb. 14-16, 2016, and the drill competition at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, Nov. 16-18, 2015. During the drill competition, M.C. Perry cadets placed first in uniform inspection and armed regulation, second in unarmed and armed exhibitions, and third place in unarmed regulation and color guard. After finishing with two 3rd place victories, two 2nd place victories, and two 1st place victories, the cadets achieved 1st place overall. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Capt. Timothy Keane, Japanese jurisdiction officer with the Staff Judge Advocates Office, delivers a speech during the kickoff of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s active duty fund drive at the Strike Zone Bowling Center at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 29, 2016. Since 1904, the NMCRS has provided assistance to Marines, Sailors and their families in times of need. Representatives from each unit ensure the service members within the unit know what the fund drive is, how funds are used to help other service members and their families, and collect donations. - Capt. Timothy Keane, Japanese jurisdiction officer with the Staff Judge Advocates Office, delivers a speech during the kickoff of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s active duty fund drive at the Strike Zone Bowling Center at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 29, 2016. Since 1904, the NMCRS has provided assistance to Marines, Sailors and their families in times of need. Representatives from each unit ensure the service members within the unit know what the fund drive is, how funds are used to help other service members and their families, and collect donations.