Kazuo Kabatani, director general of the Iwakuni Prefectural Citizens Bureau, left, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Kenji Murakami, the deputy commanding general of 13th Brigade, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Rusnok, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Ian Johnson, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan, Yoshihiko Fukuda, the mayor of Iwakuni city, Hiroyuki Tajitsu, director general of the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Ichiro Ishikawa, the commander of Fleet Air Wing 31, pose for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan before embarking on a flight to the USS George Washington, Nov. 10, 2024. Distinguished visitors from the Iwakuni city government, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force embarked on a tour of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to observe the ship’s capabilities, cultivate bilateral defense relationships, and demonstrate the joint force’