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Marines

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cesar Baroza, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 (MWSS-171), Marine Aircraft Group 12, and California native, disposes of contaminated submunitions during a joint technical exchange at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March. 25, 2025. U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members conducted a joint technical exchange to improve their interoperability when responding to chemical attacks and enhance their capabilities as a combined force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cesar Baroza, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 (MWSS-171), Marine Aircraft Group 12, and California native, disposes of contaminated submunitions during a joint technical exchange at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March. 25, 2025. U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members conducted a joint technical exchange to improve their interoperability when responding to chemical attacks and enhance their capabilities as a combined force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

Photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Yepheng Vue, left, a firefighter technician with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Missouri, and a U.S. Airman with 439th Civil Engineering Squadron, 439th Airlift Wing, extinguish a simulated fire during a mass casualty exercise at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 26, 2025. ARFF and 439th CES held this mass casualty exercise to rehearse emergency response procedures, enhancing readiness and efficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Yepheng Vue, left, a firefighter technician with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Missouri, and a U.S. Airman with 439th Civil Engineering Squadron, 439th Airlift Wing, extinguish a simulated fire during a mass casualty exercise at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 26, 2025. ARFF and 439th CES held this mass casualty exercise to rehearse emergency response procedures, enhancing readiness and efficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett)

Photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing, and Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, begin to board onto U.S. Naval Ship (USNS) Guam (T-HST 1) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 24, 2025. Marines and Sailors with MWSS-171 deployed to South Korea to improve readiness in aviation ground support operations for Marine, joint, and allied forces on the Korean peninsula. USNS Guam is a high-speed transport vessel that regularly transports troops and equipment in support of exercises across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Long)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing, and Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, begin to board onto U.S. Naval Ship (USNS) Guam (T-HST 1) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 24, 2025. Marines and Sailors with MWSS-171 deployed to South Korea to improve readiness in aviation ground support operations for Marine, joint, and allied forces on the Korean peninsula. USNS Guam is a high-speed transport vessel that regularly transports troops and equipment in support of exercises across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Long)

Photo by Cpl. Brian Long

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing, take part in disassembly training for the M249B light machine gun at Camp Mujuk, South Korea, March 27, 2025. Marines and Sailors with MWSS-171 deployed to South Korea to improve readiness in aviation ground support operations for Marine, joint, and allied forces on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Long)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing, take part in disassembly training for the M249B light machine gun at Camp Mujuk, South Korea, March 27, 2025. Marines and Sailors with MWSS-171 deployed to South Korea to improve readiness in aviation ground support operations for Marine, joint, and allied forces on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Long)

Photo by Cpl. Brian Long

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, center, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan, and a Texas native, speaks with leadership at the Naval Family Branch Clinic Iwakuni during a tour of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 10, 2025. The COMUSFJ visited MCAS Iwakuni to better understand the air station’s commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance and military readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, center, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan, and a Texas native, speaks with leadership at the Naval Family Branch Clinic Iwakuni during a tour of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 10, 2025. The COMUSFJ visited MCAS Iwakuni to better understand the air station’s commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance and military readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault

A U-36A aircraft with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force takes off during the U-36A aircraft retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 10, 2025. Based on the Learjet 36A, the U-36A is a training support aircraft capable of electronic jamming and target towing and has been used by the JMSDF since 1987. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett)

A U-36A aircraft with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force takes off during the U-36A aircraft retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 10, 2025. Based on the Learjet 36A, the U-36A is a training support aircraft capable of electronic jamming and target towing and has been used by the JMSDF since 1987. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett)

Photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Rusnok Jr., the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Pennsylvania, speaks to the participants of a town hall meeting at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March. 6, 2025. The town hall meeting was held to give base personnel an opportunity to have their questions answered by the commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Randall Whiteman)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Rusnok Jr., the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Pennsylvania, speaks to the participants of a town hall meeting at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March. 6, 2025. The town hall meeting was held to give base personnel an opportunity to have their questions answered by the commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Randall Whiteman)

Photo by Sgt. Randall Whiteman

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Rusnok Jr., left, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a Pennsylvania native, GySgt. Michael Moore, right, the station first sergeant of MCAS Iwakuni, and an Ohio native, Mary Kate Magdycz-Tong, a volunteer with the U.S. Navy ombudsman program, and members of the Branch Health Clinic pose for a group photo during the March 2025 Impact Iwakuni award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 6, 2025. The Impact Iwakuni award is presented monthly to recipients that make a significant positive impact on the community. The award went to Mary Kate Magdycz-Tong, who supported Sailors and their families by creating newsletters to inform them about events occurring on the installation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Rusnok Jr., left, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a Pennsylvania native, GySgt. Michael Moore, right, the station first sergeant of MCAS Iwakuni, and an Ohio native, Mary Kate Magdycz-Tong, a volunteer with the U.S. Navy ombudsman program, and members of the Branch Health Clinic pose for a group photo during the March 2025 Impact Iwakuni award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 6, 2025. The Impact Iwakuni award is presented monthly to recipients that make a significant positive impact on the community. The award went to Mary Kate Magdycz-Tong, who supported Sailors and their families by creating newsletters to inform them about events occurring on the installation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett)

Photo by Cpl. Dahkareo Pritchett

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force member with Air Electronic Warfare Squadron (VQ) 81, gives a challenge coin to U.S. Navy Cmdr. Reid Smith, the commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141, Carrier Air Wing 5, and a native of Washington, during a leadership lunch at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 3, 2025. Leadership from VAQ-141 and VQ-81 met to discuss future training, share information, and strengthen cooperation between the two units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force member with Air Electronic Warfare Squadron (VQ) 81, gives a challenge coin to U.S. Navy Cmdr. Reid Smith, the commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141, Carrier Air Wing 5, and a native of Washington, during a leadership lunch at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 3, 2025. Leadership from VAQ-141 and VQ-81 met to discuss future training, share information, and strengthen cooperation between the two units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

Photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz

Julee Cheever, spouse of the Commander, Naval and forces and Commander Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet, speaks with U.S. Sailors during a barracks tour at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Feb. 20, 2025. The tour allowed the spouses of the CNAF and CNAP, and the Force Master Chief, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and members of the CNAF protocol office to ensure Navy spouses are aware of and have access to important base programs and resources. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Julee Cheever, spouse of the Commander, Naval and forces and Commander Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet, speaks with U.S. Sailors during a barracks tour at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Feb. 20, 2025. The tour allowed the spouses of the CNAF and CNAP, and the Force Master Chief, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and members of the CNAF protocol office to ensure Navy spouses are aware of and have access to important base programs and resources. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, Commander of Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and an Illinois native, shakes hands with leadership from Naval Family Branch Clinic Iwakuni during a base tour at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 20, 2025. Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever and his staff visited MCAS Iwakuni while touring the IndoPacific to ensure MCAS Iwakuni Sailors have the proper resources to complete the mission of Naval aviation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, Commander of Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and an Illinois native, shakes hands with leadership from Naval Family Branch Clinic Iwakuni during a base tour at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 20, 2025. Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever and his staff visited MCAS Iwakuni while touring the IndoPacific to ensure MCAS Iwakuni Sailors have the proper resources to complete the mission of Naval aviation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, left, Commander of Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and a native of Illinois, observes as Sailors with Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment Iwakuni fit a tire to a wheel during a visit to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 19, 2025. Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever and his staff visited MCAS Iwakuni while touring the Indo-Pacific to meet with command leadership, Sailors and Marines, and military spouses to strengthen fleet readiness, enhance morale and retention, and promote the importance of joint force cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, left, Commander of Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and a native of Illinois, observes as Sailors with Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment Iwakuni fit a tire to a wheel during a visit to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 19, 2025. Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever and his staff visited MCAS Iwakuni while touring the Indo-Pacific to meet with command leadership, Sailors and Marines, and military spouses to strengthen fleet readiness, enhance morale and retention, and promote the importance of joint force cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

Photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jody Armentrout, right, the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni sergeant major, and a Texas native, reads the Impact Iwakuni award citation during the February 2025 Impact Iwakuni award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 11, 2025. The Impact Iwakuni award is presented monthly to recipients that make a significant positive impact on the community, and the Japanese American Society Iwakuni won the award for its contributions to fostering cross-cultural understanding, unity, and collaboration between the local Japanese community and Americans in Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jody Armentrout, right, the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni sergeant major, and a Texas native, reads the Impact Iwakuni award citation during the February 2025 Impact Iwakuni award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 11, 2025. The Impact Iwakuni award is presented monthly to recipients that make a significant positive impact on the community, and the Japanese American Society Iwakuni won the award for its contributions to fostering cross-cultural understanding, unity, and collaboration between the local Japanese community and Americans in Iwakuni. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Rusnok, right, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Taketoyo Toguchi, the mayor of Nago, left, listen to a command brief about the history and capabilities of the installation at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 7, 2025. Mr. Taketoyo Toguchi and his staff visited MCAS Iwakuni to discuss its relationship with the local community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Peter Rawlins)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Rusnok, right, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Taketoyo Toguchi, the mayor of Nago, left, listen to a command brief about the history and capabilities of the installation at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 7, 2025. Mr. Taketoyo Toguchi and his staff visited MCAS Iwakuni to discuss its relationship with the local community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Peter Rawlins)

Photo by Sgt. Peter Rawlins

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne, left, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a Florida native, poses for a photo with Maj. Kate Herren, the air traffic control facilities officer with H&HS, MCAS Iwakuni, and a Washington native, after a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne, left, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a Florida native, poses for a photo with Maj. Kate Herren, the air traffic control facilities officer with H&HS, MCAS Iwakuni, and a Washington native, after a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Kate Herren, left, an air traffic controller facilities officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Washington, pins a Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal onto Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Iwakuni, and a native of Florida, during an award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Kate Herren, left, an air traffic controller facilities officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Washington, pins a Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal onto Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Iwakuni, and a native of Florida, during an award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

Photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Kate Herren, center, the air traffic control facilities officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a Washington native, speaks to Marines stationed at MCAS Iwakuni during a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Kate Herren, center, the air traffic control facilities officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a Washington native, speaks to Marines stationed at MCAS Iwakuni during a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Cpl. Colin Thibault

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Florida, poses for a photo after a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Florida, poses for a photo after a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

Photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne, center, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Florida, poses with Marines for a group photo after a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne, center, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Florida, poses with Marines for a group photo after a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

Photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jody Armentrout, right, the sergeant major of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Texas, awards a coin to Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Iwakuni, and a native of Florida after an award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jody Armentrout, right, the sergeant major of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, and a native of Texas, awards a coin to Lance Cpl. Brandon Champagne, an air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Iwakuni, and a native of Florida after an award ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025. Lance Cpl. Champagne received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for rescuing two individuals trapped in wreckage after a vehicle accident while home on leave. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

Photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz