News Stories

Capt. Robert Ahern, a F/A-18 pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, shows an F/A- 18AA++ aircraft to Japan Air Self-Defense Force members during the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 17, 2016. VMFA-314, home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, temporarily deployed to MCAS Iwakuni for a six month rotation with the unit deployment program, is forward deployed to Komatsu, Japan for the ATR. Komatsu ATR is a dissimilar air combat training exercise allowing pilots with diverse aircraft to simulate aerial warfare and execute basic fighter maneuvers, aircraft tactical intercepts and offensive-defensive counter air missions in preparation for real wartime situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Capt. Robert Ahern, a F/A-18 pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, shows an F/A- 18AA++ aircraft to Japan Air Self-Defense Force members during the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 17, 2016. VMFA-314, home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, temporarily deployed to MCAS Iwakuni for a six month rotation with the unit deployment program, is forward deployed to Komatsu, Japan for the ATR. Komatsu ATR is a dissimilar air combat training exercise allowing pilots with diverse aircraft to simulate aerial warfare and execute basic fighter maneuvers, aircraft tactical intercepts and offensive-defensive counter air missions in preparation for real wartime situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12; Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Japan Air Self-Defense Force pile all the trash gathered during Operation Kibagata at Kibagata Park, Komatsu, Japan, March 12, 2016. Operation Kibagata brought participants of the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base together to clean the local community. Community relations events not only lend a hand to the local community, they are an important aspect of strengthening one of the world’s strongest alliances in order to maintain peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12; Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Japan Air Self-Defense Force pile all the trash gathered during Operation Kibagata at Kibagata Park, Komatsu, Japan, March 12, 2016. Operation Kibagata brought participants of the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise at Komatsu Air Base together to clean the local community. Community relations events not only lend a hand to the local community, they are an important aspect of strengthening one of the world’s strongest alliances in order to maintain peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, 6th Air Wing commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, study a flight diagram during a visit to Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 9, 2016. Dolan visited Komatsu Air Base for the first time to observe the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise between Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The ATR program has three main goals: to increase operational readiness, improve interoperability, and reduce local noise impacts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Japan Air Self-Defense Force Gen. Kenichiro Nagumo, 6th Air Wing commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, study a flight diagram during a visit to Komatsu Air Base, Japan, March 9, 2016. Dolan visited Komatsu Air Base for the first time to observe the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise between Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The ATR program has three main goals: to increase operational readiness, improve interoperability, and reduce local noise impacts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, arrives at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, for the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise March 7, 2016. The ATR program, established in 2007, is in place as a result of the Defense Policy Review Initiative to increase the operational readiness of U.S. and Japanese forces, enhance bilateral interoperability and reduce local noise pollution. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, forward based to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, arrives at Komatsu Air Base, Japan, for the Komatsu Aviation Training Relocation exercise March 7, 2016. The ATR program, established in 2007, is in place as a result of the Defense Policy Review Initiative to increase the operational readiness of U.S. and Japanese forces, enhance bilateral interoperability and reduce local noise pollution. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)