Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Maintainers from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 perform after-flight inspections and repairs to the squadron’s F/A-18A++ aircraft in preparation for exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 4, 2016. Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 provides VMFA-314 and Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, based out of Marine Corps Station Iwakuni, Japan, the opportunity to train with joint and international units, increasing their combat skills by participating simulated combat situations in a realistic threat environment. (U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - Maintainers from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 perform after-flight inspections and repairs to the squadron’s F/A-18A++ aircraft in preparation for exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 4, 2016. Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 provides VMFA-314 and Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, based out of Marine Corps Station Iwakuni, Japan, the opportunity to train with joint and international units, increasing their combat skills by participating simulated combat situations in a realistic threat environment. (U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released)

A Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, VMFA(AW)-242, F/A-18D Hornet performs an engine test inside a hush house at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2015. These facilities are used to reduce noise in the local area when testing aircraft engines. Building and using facilities like these help strengthen the bond between the air station and the local community by showing that the station listens to the needs of the community and are doing their best to accommodate local citizens. - A Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, VMFA(AW)-242, F/A-18D Hornet performs an engine test inside a hush house at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2015. These facilities are used to reduce noise in the local area when testing aircraft engines. Building and using facilities like these help strengthen the bond between the air station and the local community by showing that the station listens to the needs of the community and are doing their best to accommodate local citizens.

Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron hosted the 2015 Jane Wayne Day, May 16, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Jane Wayne Day provides spouses and family members of Marines and sailors with the opportunity to get a taste of Marine Corps training and experience a day in the life of a Marine. - Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron hosted the 2015 Jane Wayne Day, May 16, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Jane Wayne Day provides spouses and family members of Marines and sailors with the opportunity to get a taste of Marine Corps training and experience a day in the life of a Marine.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Dakotah Williams, a religious program specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, grinds down a door for a recreational center in the Beswick Community in the Northern Territory of Australia, June 21, 2014. Marines and sailors volunteered their time to assist in the building of the recreational center and help clean a local primary school. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Dakotah Williams, a religious program specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, grinds down a door for a recreational center in the Beswick Community in the Northern Territory of Australia, June 21, 2014. Marines and sailors volunteered their time to assist in the building of the recreational center and help clean a local primary school.

Lt Col. Shawn Basco, commanding officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, left, shakes hands with wing commander Mark Larter, the senior Australian defense officer for Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, June 6, 2014, upon arrival aboard base. Marine with VMFA(AW)-242 arrived in Australia as part of Exercise Southern Frontier 14, an annual bilateral training exercise between the RAAF and the United States Marine Corps with a primary focus on offensive air support. - Lt Col. Shawn Basco, commanding officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, left, shakes hands with wing commander Mark Larter, the senior Australian defense officer for Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, June 6, 2014, upon arrival aboard base. Marine with VMFA(AW)-242 arrived in Australia as part of Exercise Southern Frontier 14, an annual bilateral training exercise between the RAAF and the United States Marine Corps with a primary focus on offensive air support.

A pilot with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 conducts low altitude training during Exercise Southern Frontier above Australia’s Northern Territory, Aug. 8, 2013. The Royal Australian Air Force hosts the annual exercise at RAAF Tindal, which consists of elements from Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - A pilot with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 conducts low altitude training during Exercise Southern Frontier above Australia’s Northern Territory, Aug. 8, 2013. The Royal Australian Air Force hosts the annual exercise at RAAF Tindal, which consists of elements from Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.