News Stories

Sgt. Maj. Coleman Kinzer, left, outbound Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron sergeant major, prepares to pass on the sword of office to Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, right, newly appointed H&HS sergeant major, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 26, 2016. The passing of the sword of office represents the transition of duties and responsibilities from one sergeant major to another. Kinzer addressed the Marines of the squadron, stating that he believes without them, the transformation of the air station wouldn’t be possible. - Sgt. Maj. Coleman Kinzer, left, outbound Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron sergeant major, prepares to pass on the sword of office to Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, right, newly appointed H&HS sergeant major, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 26, 2016. The passing of the sword of office represents the transition of duties and responsibilities from one sergeant major to another. Kinzer addressed the Marines of the squadron, stating that he believes without them, the transformation of the air station wouldn’t be possible.

Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron participate in a 5k supply run during the Frozen Chosin Competition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 25, 2016. Teams consisting of six members completed a series of events including a pull up and sit up contest, a 5k supply run, a 600 meter swim, 250 meter sprint then constructing and presenting professional military education. According to Lance Cpl. Klayton Inmon, personnel administration clerk at the Installation Personnel Administration Center outbound management branch, competition builds Marines physically and mentally by pushing them past their limits and allowing them to accomplish the mission. - Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron participate in a 5k supply run during the Frozen Chosin Competition at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 25, 2016. Teams consisting of six members completed a series of events including a pull up and sit up contest, a 5k supply run, a 600 meter swim, 250 meter sprint then constructing and presenting professional military education. According to Lance Cpl. Klayton Inmon, personnel administration clerk at the Installation Personnel Administration Center outbound management branch, competition builds Marines physically and mentally by pushing them past their limits and allowing them to accomplish the mission.

Police Lt. Muneyuki Hirao, a police dog trainer at Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters, and his K-9 search for hidden explosives during a joint training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 17, 2016. K-9’s are trained on scent boxes in order to get them familiar with the different scents of various explosives. The location and types of training are changed each time to broaden the capabilities of the dogs as well as the handlers. - Police Lt. Muneyuki Hirao, a police dog trainer at Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters, and his K-9 search for hidden explosives during a joint training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 17, 2016. K-9’s are trained on scent boxes in order to get them familiar with the different scents of various explosives. The location and types of training are changed each time to broaden the capabilities of the dogs as well as the handlers.

Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, outbound Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 sergeant major, addresses the audience during his relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 12, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of Richardson’s role as MALS-12 sergeant major after assuming the role in June 2014. - Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, outbound Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 sergeant major, addresses the audience during his relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 12, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of Richardson’s role as MALS-12 sergeant major after assuming the role in June 2014.

Mandie Woods, left, and April Rosales, residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni dig lotus roots during a cultural adaptation program at Yamaguchi’s Agricultural, Forestry, Fisheries, and Stockbreeding in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 10, 2016. After learning about lotus roots, residents along with other Japanese nationals took to the fields to dig up their own. - Mandie Woods, left, and April Rosales, residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni dig lotus roots during a cultural adaptation program at Yamaguchi’s Agricultural, Forestry, Fisheries, and Stockbreeding in Iwakuni City, Japan, Feb. 10, 2016. After learning about lotus roots, residents along with other Japanese nationals took to the fields to dig up their own.

The Marine Aircraft Group 12 color guard marches in formation during a Sgt. Maj. Sergio MartinezRuiz’s relief and appointment ceremony at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 5, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of MartinezRuiz’s tour after assuming the role of MAG-12’s sergeant major in May of 2014. - The Marine Aircraft Group 12 color guard marches in formation during a Sgt. Maj. Sergio MartinezRuiz’s relief and appointment ceremony at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 5, 2016. This ceremony symbolizes the end of MartinezRuiz’s tour after assuming the role of MAG-12’s sergeant major in May of 2014.

Matthew C. Perry and Takamori Midori Junior High School students pose for a photo during a cultural exchange event at Takamori Midori Junior High School in Kuga, Japan, Feb. 2, 2016. Traditionally, Midori Junior High School visits M.C. Perry annually and was excited to invite the American students into their own school this year. - Matthew C. Perry and Takamori Midori Junior High School students pose for a photo during a cultural exchange event at Takamori Midori Junior High School in Kuga, Japan, Feb. 2, 2016. Traditionally, Midori Junior High School visits M.C. Perry annually and was excited to invite the American students into their own school this year.

From left to right, Jenny Reese, assistant principal at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, Jessica Blackston and Kenji Brunson, students at M.C. Perry Elementary School and Arturo Rivera, principal at M.C. Perry Elementary School receive a box of mikans from Motoi Yoshimura, right, leading board director and union president at the Yamaguchi Oshima Agricultural Cooperative Association during the 6th Annual Mikan Presentation at M.C. Perry at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 1, 2016. Mikans are orange citrus fruits that resemble tangerines and are a symbol of Japan’s agricultural export business. The event provided students and staff the opportunity to strengthen their bond with Iwakuni residents. - From left to right, Jenny Reese, assistant principal at Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, Jessica Blackston and Kenji Brunson, students at M.C. Perry Elementary School and Arturo Rivera, principal at M.C. Perry Elementary School receive a box of mikans from Motoi Yoshimura, right, leading board director and union president at the Yamaguchi Oshima Agricultural Cooperative Association during the 6th Annual Mikan Presentation at M.C. Perry at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 1, 2016. Mikans are orange citrus fruits that resemble tangerines and are a symbol of Japan’s agricultural export business. The event provided students and staff the opportunity to strengthen their bond with Iwakuni residents.

Ambassador Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, U.S. ambassador to Japan, speaks to Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 28, 2016. This is Ambassador Kennedy’s first official visit to MCAS Iwakuni. While at the squadron’s hangar, Kennedy viewed a KC-130J Super Hercules, gaining an understanding on the multiple capabilities of the aircraft in the Pacific theater. This visit also helped the ambassador better understand MCAS Iwakuni’s community and witness the ongoing transformation of the air station through the multitude of construction projects. - Ambassador Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, U.S. ambassador to Japan, speaks to Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152) at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 28, 2016. This is Ambassador Kennedy’s first official visit to MCAS Iwakuni. While at the squadron’s hangar, Kennedy viewed a KC-130J Super Hercules, gaining an understanding on the multiple capabilities of the aircraft in the Pacific theater. This visit also helped the ambassador better understand MCAS Iwakuni’s community and witness the ongoing transformation of the air station through the multitude of construction projects.

Station residents run toward the finish line during the 8th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. 2.5k run or walk at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 16, 2016. The Youth and Teen Center started this event in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to provide residents another opportunity to be active within the community. The YTC provides station residents with various opportunities to participate and volunteer for events. - Station residents run toward the finish line during the 8th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. 2.5k run or walk at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 16, 2016. The Youth and Teen Center started this event in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to provide residents another opportunity to be active within the community. The YTC provides station residents with various opportunities to participate and volunteer for events.