News Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jason B. Berg, left, incoming commanding officer for Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, and Lt. Col. James S. Whiteker, outgoing commanding officer for MWSS-171, stand before a squadron formation during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 30, 2016. Whiteker relinquished his duties as MWSS-171 commanding officer toBerg after serving as the squadron commander for two years. Living by the motto, ‘In Omnia Paratus,’ meaning ‘ready for all things,’ Berg will take charge to ensure the legacy of operational readiness is maintained at MWSS-171. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jason B. Berg, left, incoming commanding officer for Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, and Lt. Col. James S. Whiteker, outgoing commanding officer for MWSS-171, stand before a squadron formation during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 30, 2016. Whiteker relinquished his duties as MWSS-171 commanding officer toBerg after serving as the squadron commander for two years. Living by the motto, ‘In Omnia Paratus,’ meaning ‘ready for all things,’ Berg will take charge to ensure the legacy of operational readiness is maintained at MWSS-171. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Eckert performs an abdominal exercise with an ammo can while stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Currently serving as a motor transport mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Eckert’s passion for physical fitness grew once he enlisted and finds ways to incorporate exercises into his daily activities. (Courtesy Photo) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Eckert performs an abdominal exercise with an ammo can while stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Currently serving as a motor transport mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Eckert’s passion for physical fitness grew once he enlisted and finds ways to incorporate exercises into his daily activities. (Courtesy Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Harley Damarputra, an aviation life-support equipment technician and collateral duty inspector with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, tests a seat in an F/A-18C Hornet during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 16, 2016. Damarputra supports the squadron as a life-support equipment technician and collateral duty inspector by ensuring the pilots’ safety gear is working properly. (U.S. Marine Corps photo Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Harley Damarputra, an aviation life-support equipment technician and collateral duty inspector with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, tests a seat in an F/A-18C Hornet during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 16, 2016. Damarputra supports the squadron as a life-support equipment technician and collateral duty inspector by ensuring the pilots’ safety gear is working properly. (U.S. Marine Corps photo Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Sanford, Combat Logistics Company 36’s new commanding officer, addresses Marines during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 20, 2016. Capt. Roderick Singleton Jr. relinquished his authority of CLC-36’s commanding officer to Sanford. Sanford will be assuming his first position of commanding officer after serving as the Marine Corps Installations Pacific installation motor transport officer for two years before becoming the plans and operations officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Sanford, Combat Logistics Company 36’s new commanding officer, addresses Marines during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 20, 2016. Capt. Roderick Singleton Jr. relinquished his authority of CLC-36’s commanding officer to Sanford. Sanford will be assuming his first position of commanding officer after serving as the Marine Corps Installations Pacific installation motor transport officer for two years before becoming the plans and operations officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Malcolm Cappelle, a quality assurance safety observer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, and forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, poses for a photo in front of an ordnance shipping container during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 16, 2016. Cappelle just finished preparing ordnance on the squadron’s F/A-18C Hornet fighter jets in support of exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Malcolm Cappelle, a quality assurance safety observer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, and forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, poses for a photo in front of an ordnance shipping container during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 16, 2016. Cappelle just finished preparing ordnance on the squadron’s F/A-18C Hornet fighter jets in support of exercise Red Flag-Alaska 16-2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released)

Kim Shipley, a station resident, left, and Joseph H. Jeu, director and CEO of the Defense Commissary Agency, cut the cake during the grand opening ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 21, 2016. Designed to anticipate and meet the needs of shoppers, the new grocery store is approximately 50 percent larger, with 52,710 total square feet and is located between the Kintai Inn and Kawashimo housing area. Sections of the improved facility include fresh produce, meat and frozen departments, an international delicatessen, a bakery and fresh, handmade sushi. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Kim Shipley, a station resident, left, and Joseph H. Jeu, director and CEO of the Defense Commissary Agency, cut the cake during the grand opening ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 21, 2016. Designed to anticipate and meet the needs of shoppers, the new grocery store is approximately 50 percent larger, with 52,710 total square feet and is located between the Kintai Inn and Kawashimo housing area. Sections of the improved facility include fresh produce, meat and frozen departments, an international delicatessen, a bakery and fresh, handmade sushi. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force aviation officer cadets from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Ozuki Aviation Training Squadron observe an F/A-18C static display during a Japanese Officer Exchange Program tour at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 17, 2016. Hosted by Marine Aircraft Group 12, the exchange program aims to better the understanding and working relationships between U.S. and Japanese pilots. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Japan Air Self-Defense Force aviation officer cadets from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Ozuki Aviation Training Squadron observe an F/A-18C static display during a Japanese Officer Exchange Program tour at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 17, 2016. Hosted by Marine Aircraft Group 12, the exchange program aims to better the understanding and working relationships between U.S. and Japanese pilots. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, takes-off from the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during its participation in Red Flag-Alaska 16-2, June 7, 2016. Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 provides squadrons the opportunity to train with joint and international units, increasing their combat skills by participating in simulated combat situations in a realistic threat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released) - A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, takes-off from the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during its participation in Red Flag-Alaska 16-2, June 7, 2016. Red Flag-Alaska 16-2 provides squadrons the opportunity to train with joint and international units, increasing their combat skills by participating in simulated combat situations in a realistic threat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin/Released)

U.S. Airmen with the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia Showcase jazz ensemble perform at the Iwakuni Civic Hall in Iwakuni, Japan, June 16, 2016. The band of the Pacific-Asia consists of 24 active-duty professional musicians who showcase their talents throughout the Western-Pacific region in support of military and community relations objectives. Based out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, The Pacific Air Force band was established as the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific at Eglin Field, Florida, in 1941. It is one of 12 U.S. Air Force bands, to include the 15-member detachment group stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Pacific Trends and other protocol groups also perform with the Pacific Air Force band and give an average of 200 performances a year for over 125,000 people. Hong Kong, Burma, Guam, Singapore, India, Mongolia, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Laos, Korea and Japan are some of the past locations the airmen have performed at for military personnel and foreign communities. - U.S. Airmen with the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia Showcase jazz ensemble perform at the Iwakuni Civic Hall in Iwakuni, Japan, June 16, 2016. The band of the Pacific-Asia consists of 24 active-duty professional musicians who showcase their talents throughout the Western-Pacific region in support of military and community relations objectives. Based out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, The Pacific Air Force band was established as the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific at Eglin Field, Florida, in 1941. It is one of 12 U.S. Air Force bands, to include the 15-member detachment group stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Pacific Trends and other protocol groups also perform with the Pacific Air Force band and give an average of 200 performances a year for over 125,000 people. Hong Kong, Burma, Guam, Singapore, India, Mongolia, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Laos, Korea and Japan are some of the past locations the airmen have performed at for military personnel and foreign communities.

U.S. Navy Sailors from the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic set up a three-line articulating frame shelter during first-receiver operations training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2016. Provided by the Decontamination, Education and Consulting on Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Limited Liability Company, the course educates first receivers in conducting decontamination, field treatment and saving victims from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - U.S. Navy Sailors from the Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic set up a three-line articulating frame shelter during first-receiver operations training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2016. Provided by the Decontamination, Education and Consulting on Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Limited Liability Company, the course educates first receivers in conducting decontamination, field treatment and saving victims from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)