News Stories

Students from Noda Gakuen High School in Yamaguchi City and Matthew C. Perry High School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, participate in a drama class at MCAS Iwakuni April 21, 2016. Events like these help secure the two nations’ relationship with positive activities that educate students about each other’s culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Students from Noda Gakuen High School in Yamaguchi City and Matthew C. Perry High School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, participate in a drama class at MCAS Iwakuni April 21, 2016. Events like these help secure the two nations’ relationship with positive activities that educate students about each other’s culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

MV-22 Osprey squadron, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 17-18, 2016, in support of the Government of Japan's relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes near Kumamoto. The long-standing alliance between Japan and the U.S allows U.S military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support top the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - MV-22 Osprey squadron, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 17-18, 2016, in support of the Government of Japan's relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes near Kumamoto. The long-standing alliance between Japan and the U.S allows U.S military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support top the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Children from the Josho Hoikuen School in Iwakuni City say goodbye to Noriko Yamada, an administrative specialist with the Marine Memorial Chapel, and service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 19, 2016. Visiting the school provided service members the chance to teach children how to speak and count in English, fostering the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The chapel coordinated this community event as an opportunity to experience Japanese culture, give back to the local community and strengthen the bond between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Children from the Josho Hoikuen School in Iwakuni City say goodbye to Noriko Yamada, an administrative specialist with the Marine Memorial Chapel, and service members from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 19, 2016. Visiting the school provided service members the chance to teach children how to speak and count in English, fostering the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The chapel coordinated this community event as an opportunity to experience Japanese culture, give back to the local community and strengthen the bond between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni pose with Japanese civilians and volunteers for a group photo during a Mochitsuki – rice pounding – event at Tenno Elementary School in Tenno, Japan, April 16, 2016. The event offered residents the opportunity to interact with Japanese civilians and experience a different part of their culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni pose with Japanese civilians and volunteers for a group photo during a Mochitsuki – rice pounding – event at Tenno Elementary School in Tenno, Japan, April 16, 2016. The event offered residents the opportunity to interact with Japanese civilians and experience a different part of their culture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Station residents and Japanese participants begin a half marathon during the 49th Kintai Marathon on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan April 17, 2016. With more than 500 athletes, the marathon is one of the few events that invites Japanese citizens on the air station and provides a great opportunity for MCAS Iwakuni personnel to show support of their host nation through running, said Mai Tajima, SemperFit recreation specialist. The full marathon first place for the men was Yoshihisa Nagashita, 34, completing at 2 hours, 40 minutes, 21 seconds, and for the women was Hitomi Matsubara, 45, completing at 3:27:25. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan D. Wicks /Released) - Station residents and Japanese participants begin a half marathon during the 49th Kintai Marathon on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan April 17, 2016. With more than 500 athletes, the marathon is one of the few events that invites Japanese citizens on the air station and provides a great opportunity for MCAS Iwakuni personnel to show support of their host nation through running, said Mai Tajima, SemperFit recreation specialist. The full marathon first place for the men was Yoshihisa Nagashita, 34, completing at 2 hours, 40 minutes, 21 seconds, and for the women was Hitomi Matsubara, 45, completing at 3:27:25. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan D. Wicks /Released)

Chandler Pigge, a seventh-grader at Matthew C. Perry High School, shoots the basketball as Amin Mice, a ninth-grader at M.C. Perry High School, attempts to block during the 2016 Mainland Basketball Association Spring Basketball Camp at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 13, 2016. Student athletes between the ages of 12 and 18 attended the camp seeking to improve their knowledge of skills and basketball such as shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding and defending. Point Guard College attended the camp to teach competitors to play smart basketball and become good leaders during practice, games and everyday life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Chandler Pigge, a seventh-grader at Matthew C. Perry High School, shoots the basketball as Amin Mice, a ninth-grader at M.C. Perry High School, attempts to block during the 2016 Mainland Basketball Association Spring Basketball Camp at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 13, 2016. Student athletes between the ages of 12 and 18 attended the camp seeking to improve their knowledge of skills and basketball such as shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding and defending. Point Guard College attended the camp to teach competitors to play smart basketball and become good leaders during practice, games and everyday life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists the Government of Japan in supporting those affected by recent earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, April 18, 2016. VMM-265 picked up supplies from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Takayubaru and delivered them to Hakusui Sports Park in the Kumamoto Prefecture. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released) - Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists the Government of Japan in supporting those affected by recent earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, April 18, 2016. VMM-265 picked up supplies from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Takayubaru and delivered them to Hakusui Sports Park in the Kumamoto Prefecture. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released)

Japanese media interview Capt. Tessa Snow, an MV-22B Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in support of the Government of Japan’s relief efforts following yesterday’s devastating earthquake near Kumamoto April 17, 2016. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo/Released) - Japanese media interview Capt. Tessa Snow, an MV-22B Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in support of the Government of Japan’s relief efforts following yesterday’s devastating earthquake near Kumamoto April 17, 2016. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo/Released)

Maya Pugh, a teen from Yokosuka Naval Base, receives the 2016 Asia Military Youth of the Year Award during the 2016 Asia Keystone Conference at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 13, 2016. Teens from across the pacific region gathered to find out the winner of the 2016 Asia Military Youth of the Year Award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/Released) - Maya Pugh, a teen from Yokosuka Naval Base, receives the 2016 Asia Military Youth of the Year Award during the 2016 Asia Keystone Conference at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 13, 2016. Teens from across the pacific region gathered to find out the winner of the 2016 Asia Military Youth of the Year Award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks/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) - 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)