News Stories

An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 taxis to the runway for a night flight during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 17, 2016. The flying squadron executed large force close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and strike coordination and reconnaissance missions over the three week training evolution. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 taxis to the runway for a night flight during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 17, 2016. The flying squadron executed large force close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and strike coordination and reconnaissance missions over the three week training evolution. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

A child prays before getting released to eat during Vacation Bible School at the Marine Memorial Chapel on Marine Corp Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 17, 2016. VBS consisted of group discussions, feeding the children and volunteers, praying and rotation stations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - A child prays before getting released to eat during Vacation Bible School at the Marine Memorial Chapel on Marine Corp Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 17, 2016. VBS consisted of group discussions, feeding the children and volunteers, praying and rotation stations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Athletes from Mainland Sports Association-Iwakuni and Iwakuni City start a game of basketball during a tournament held for station residents and Japanese nationals at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 21, 2016. Forty-four athletes from Iwakuni, Hirata, Ohno, Otake and MSA-Iwakuni took to the courts to compete against each other in a series of basketball games. Established in 2009 as a nonprofit organization and formerly known as the Mainland Basketball Association, MSA conducts off-base tournaments with the Japanese teams throughout the summer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - Athletes from Mainland Sports Association-Iwakuni and Iwakuni City start a game of basketball during a tournament held for station residents and Japanese nationals at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 21, 2016. Forty-four athletes from Iwakuni, Hirata, Ohno, Otake and MSA-Iwakuni took to the courts to compete against each other in a series of basketball games. Established in 2009 as a nonprofit organization and formerly known as the Mainland Basketball Association, MSA conducts off-base tournaments with the Japanese teams throughout the summer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew Case, flight surgeon, Kurt Pride, rescue crewman with RAAF Tindal Search and Rescue, and Flying Officer Kimberly MacDonald, a nurse with the Royal Australian Air Force, ensure that all buckles and clips are secure during SAR training at Exercise Pitch Black 2016, Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 16, 2016. The SAR team trains with local and international forces during exercises like Pitch Black to ensure all medical personnel that can respond to an aircraft emergency are capable of carrying out the same procedures. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew Case, flight surgeon, Kurt Pride, rescue crewman with RAAF Tindal Search and Rescue, and Flying Officer Kimberly MacDonald, a nurse with the Royal Australian Air Force, ensure that all buckles and clips are secure during SAR training at Exercise Pitch Black 2016, Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 16, 2016. The SAR team trains with local and international forces during exercises like Pitch Black to ensure all medical personnel that can respond to an aircraft emergency are capable of carrying out the same procedures. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

A crowd gathers to walk through a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 Open Day at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, Aug. 13, 2016. For over 70 years, VMGR-152, also known as the “Sumos,” has successfully carried out support missions by providing aerial refueling and assault support during expeditionary, joint and combined operations like Exercise Pitch Black 2016. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - A crowd gathers to walk through a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 Open Day at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, Aug. 13, 2016. For over 70 years, VMGR-152, also known as the “Sumos,” has successfully carried out support missions by providing aerial refueling and assault support during expeditionary, joint and combined operations like Exercise Pitch Black 2016. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

A U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115, with Carrier Air Wing 5, taxis into hot refueling pits at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 17, 2016. While passing through the air station for aircraft-based training, maintainers inspected and refueled the Hawkeyes before their retrograde back to Naval Air Facility Atusgi. The all-weather, carrier-based, tactical battle management airborne early warning command and control aircraft became operational in 1973 and underwent several upgrades. Variants of this aircraft are also flown by the Egyptian Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Taiwan Air Force, and the French Navy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin) - A U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115, with Carrier Air Wing 5, taxis into hot refueling pits at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 17, 2016. While passing through the air station for aircraft-based training, maintainers inspected and refueled the Hawkeyes before their retrograde back to Naval Air Facility Atusgi. The all-weather, carrier-based, tactical battle management airborne early warning command and control aircraft became operational in 1973 and underwent several upgrades. Variants of this aircraft are also flown by the Egyptian Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Taiwan Air Force, and the French Navy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin)

Masatoshi Ohno, Yokoyama 1st section representative and Iwakuni local, prepares to honor the Shiroyama Hime Shrine during the Bon-Odori Yukata-Experience festival in the Yokoyama area of Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 13, 2016. During the festival, priests blessed the Shiroyama Hime shrine and gave a moment of silence in honor of those who passed this year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - Masatoshi Ohno, Yokoyama 1st section representative and Iwakuni local, prepares to honor the Shiroyama Hime Shrine during the Bon-Odori Yukata-Experience festival in the Yokoyama area of Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 13, 2016. During the festival, priests blessed the Shiroyama Hime shrine and gave a moment of silence in honor of those who passed this year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Marine Corps Community Services hosts a grand opening ceremony of the Torii Pines plaza on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 12, 2016. The new plaza holds several different shops such as a bike shop, barber shop, tailor, gift shop and hotel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo) - Marine Corps Community Services hosts a grand opening ceremony of the Torii Pines plaza on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 12, 2016. The new plaza holds several different shops such as a bike shop, barber shop, tailor, gift shop and hotel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jabari Reneau, commanding officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA)-242, speaks about the outbound and incoming sergeants major at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 12, 2016. Reneau honored the ceremony in seeing off Sgt. Maj. Jason L. Kappen, outbound sergeant major of VMFA(AW)-242 and welcoming Sgt. Maj. James L. Shadle. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jabari Reneau, commanding officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA)-242, speaks about the outbound and incoming sergeants major at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 12, 2016. Reneau honored the ceremony in seeing off Sgt. Maj. Jason L. Kappen, outbound sergeant major of VMFA(AW)-242 and welcoming Sgt. Maj. James L. Shadle. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 performs a vertical landing while using the lights on the mobile Expeditionary Hover Position Indicator to adjust its position at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 9, 2016. VMA-542 is home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the unit deployment program. The Harrier pilots used the mobile EHPI in coordination with Aircraft Recovery assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron to recertify on boat-deck landings to prepare for other future operations in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin) - A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 performs a vertical landing while using the lights on the mobile Expeditionary Hover Position Indicator to adjust its position at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 9, 2016. VMA-542 is home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the unit deployment program. The Harrier pilots used the mobile EHPI in coordination with Aircraft Recovery assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron to recertify on boat-deck landings to prepare for other future operations in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin)