Retirees and guests attend a retirement ceremony at the Landing Zone inside Club Iwakuni at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and listen as U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert V. Boucher, station commanding of More
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, residents and locals attend The Red Carpet Event of Iwakuni 2016 at the Egretta restaurant serve themselves food July 16, 2016. The event featured a red carpet photo sho More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathon Fais, a crew chief with the 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, refuels a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II aircraft at Marine More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jason L. Kappen, outbound sergeant major for Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA)-242, sits with his family after being relieved of his duties at Marine Corps Air Statio More
Local children play a drum during the Bon-Odori Yukata-Experience festival in the Yokoyama area of Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 13, 2016. Locals and residents from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni danced to the singing More
A child talks with his mentor about what he learned during Vacation Bible School at the Marine Memorial Chapel on Marine Corp Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 15, 2016. Mentors were set in place during VBS to g More
A group of volunteers with the Marine Memorial Chapel on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and local children pose for a photo during a community relations preschool visit at Midoro Hoikuen in Iwakuni, Japan, Au More
Lance Cpl. Kwesi Thomas, armorer with Marine Aircraft Group 12, waits for a bowl of water while standing on an obstacle within the obstacle course at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Marines with MAG-12 More
U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer select Lamonica Harrison, chief hospital corpsman select with the Branch Health Clinic on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, hands juice to a local Japanese child at Ekimae Hoikuen More
Residents and guests gather behind the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Color Guard before a 9/11 remembrance walk at Matthew C. Perry High School at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 9, 2016. As part of paying respec More
A U.S. Navy Color Guard, presents the colors during a promotion ceremony in the Marine Memorial Chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 16, 2016. The colors are a part of every traditional cere More
Children wait for shaved ice during the Boys and Girls Club Day for Kids Celebration 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 17, 2016. All kids, 17 years of age and younger, were invited out for More
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents pose for a group photo at the Kumano Brush Festival in Kumano, Japan, Sept. 22, 2016. The residents traveled to Kumano with the Cultural Adaptation Program for an oppo More
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents and Japanese locals pose for a group photo during the U.S.-Japan Children Soccer event at the Suo-Oshima Athletic Field in Suo-Oshima, Japan, Oct. 1, 2016. As part of More
The old Air Traffic Control tower sits dormant as the new Air Traffic Control tower is utilized on Marine Air Corps Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 6, 2016. The old Air Traffic Control tower is scheduled to be dem More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Allison Jenkins, firefighter specialist with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, and Sparky, the fire dog for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, talk with Brownies of Iwakuni Brownies More
Players of the Matthew C. Perry High School Samurai football team tackle a player of the Humphreys High School Blackhawks football team from U.S. Army Garrison, Camp Humphreys, Korea, during the Far East Divisi More
A player from the Matthew C. Perry High School Samurai football team runs through a defender from the Humphreys High School Blackhawks football team from U.S. Army Garrison, Camp Humphreys, Korea, during the Fa More
U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) members conduct training during exercise Active Shield at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 8, 2016. Marines and JGSDF members conducted trai More
U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self Defense Force members executed exercise Active Shield at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 9, 2016. Active Shield is an annual exercise designed to test the abilit More
U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members executed exercise Active Shield at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 11, 2016. Active Shield is an annual exercise designed to test the abili More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Jorge Lares, left, and Kendal Kleinhenz, right, combat engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, use a walk behind concrete saw to simulate repairs to a damaged runwa More
A U.S. Air Force C-130J waits to be unloaded after transporting U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA) 542 to Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 2, 2016. VMA-542 journeyed to Chitose to partake in the Av More
U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 huddle around U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Brandon Eckardt, sergeant major for VMA-542, and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. John D. Ferguson, commanding officer for More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Brandon Eckardt, sergeant major for Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, left, and Japan Air Self Defense Force Warrant Officer Yoshiyuki Matsui, senior enlisted advisor of the commande More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony Dominguez, an air framer with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, works on an AV-8B Harrier during the Aviation Training Relocation Program at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 7, More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Austin Weber, operations chief for Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, goes up for a jump shot against the Japan Air Self-Defense Force basketball team during the Aviation Training Relocati More
U.S. Navy Commander Jessica Beard, officer in charge of the Branch Health Clinic Iwakuni, receives Christmas cards from Veronica Kerrigan, regional program specialist for the American Red Cross, during a delive More
An F/A-18D Hornet with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225 prepares to land at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 5, 2017. VMFA(AW) 225 is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni on a six More
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents and Japanese locals watch as a member of the Otake Senior High School performs calligraphy in Waki Town, Japan, Jan. 7, 2017. Similar to the American tradition of New More
Two F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, prepare to land at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 18, 2017. VMFA-121 conducted a permanent change of station to MCA More
U.S. Navy Engineman 2nd Class, Jason McNealy, left, and U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class, Matthew Mora, with harbor operations, right, deploy a boom into the south retention pond during a spill training exe More
A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, departs the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 3, 2017. VMFA(AW)-242’s mission is to support t More
A U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, taxis down the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 2, 2017. VAW-125 arrived at MCAS Iwakuni from Nav More
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, takes off at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 3, 2017. VMFA-121 is permanently stationed at MCAS Iwakuni and b More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Patrick Hinckley, an aircraft maintenance mechanic with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 12, fights for a position during the Duamau Tournament, a jiu jitsu competition at More
U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Command Master Chief Susan Whitman, left, and U.S. Navy Cmdr. Shane Tanner, right, executive officer for Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, speak during a visit to the fa More
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. David Hall, an F/A-18D pilot with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, explains how an F/A-18 flight simulator works to local Japanese media during a media event at Mar More
Lebet Erhart, left, a guard with Matthew C. Perry High School’s Lady Samurai basketball team, jumps for the ball to start a game against E.J. King High School during the 2017 Division 2 Girls’ Basketball Tourna More
U.S. Marines, Sailors and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel conducted a mass casualty exercise on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 1, 2017. The exercise assessed the air station’s ini More
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel with Mine Countermeasures Helicopter Squadron 111 (HM-111) stand at parade rest before the start of a retirement ceremony to decommission the last two remaining activ More
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, fills out an allotment form for the Active-Duty Fund Drive in support of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at More
A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 “Red Devils” departs the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 24, 2017. VMFA-232 conducted flights as part o More
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, taxis down the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 23, 2017. VMFA-121 aims to fill close air support m More
Gear utilized by the Special Reaction Team (SRT) sits on display for members of the Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefectural Police Headquarters during a cross training brief at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Jap More
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, asks a question to a Marine attending a troop talk at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 3, 2017. Neller held the troop talk More
Ordnance sits on a loader during hot-reload training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 6, 2017. This signified the first time the squadron loaded ordnance onto a running F-35B Lightning II aircr More
A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, taxis to the flight line during aviation delivered ground refueling training with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron ( More
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, fills out a judging form after tasting a dish during a Food Service Specialist of the Quarter competition at MCA More
Two U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 make their way down the runway during training flights at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 18, 2017. VM More
U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, execute airfield damage and repair training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 19, 2017. The ADR training required Marines to utilize th More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Darnell Richardson, outgoing Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS) sergeant major, commences the passing of the sword of office to Lt. Col. Kevin A. Campbell, commanding offi More
A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy taxis at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2017. U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 22nd Airlift Squadron assisted in the transportation of two retired Japan Mariti More
A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 taxis to the squadron’s hot refuel pits at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 20, 2017. U.S. Marines, U. More
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Daniel Shipley, former Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12 commanding officer, salutes U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Russell A. Sanborn, the commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III M More
Takahiro Sugawara, director general of Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau, speaks to guests during a scoreboard lighting ceremony at Kizuna Stadium in Iwakuni City, Japan, July 19, 2017. The ceremony offered a priv More
Sachiko Tamura, a chef with the Iwakuni City Food Promotion Association, demonstrates how to properly cook eggs for sushi during a Japanese cooking class at Santopia in Otake, Japan, July 25, 2017. Tamura has b More
Master Contract Labor and Indirect Hire Agreement employees at the Landing Zone inside Club Iwakuni at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, await the presentation of their awards July 15, 2016. A retirement More
A model for The Red Carpet Event of Iwakuni 2016, displays a Japanese traditional style dress on the runway at the Egretta restaurant in Iwakuni, Japan, July 16, 2016. Models displayed hair styles, make-up and More
Two U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II aircraft stationed out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, taxi down the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, July 19, 2016. The two MC-130J Commando II aircraft transported More
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, More
U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Marcus Major, chemical biological radiological nuclear defense officer for Marine Aircraft Group 12, prepares to honor the Shiroyama Hime Shrine during the Bon-Odori Yuka More
A volunteer helps a child make their hot dog during Vacation Bible School at the Marine Memorial Chapel on Marine Corp Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 15, 2016. Before going into rotation stations where the ch More
Volunteers with the Marine Memorial Chapel dodge water balloons during a water fight at Midoro Hoikuen in Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 23, 2016. Local Japanese preschoolers enjoyed a day of fun filled activities as par More
U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12 Headquarters pose for a photo after running the obstacle course at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 26, 2016. The group emerged victorious in a team compe More
A local Japanese child smiles after receiving juice at Ekimae Hoikuen preschool in Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 8, 2016. Sailors with the Marine Memorial Chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni passed out drinks an More
The Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Color Guard presents arms at the Matthew C. Perry football field at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 8, 2016. Upon arriving at the football field, air station residents and guests More
U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Lamonica Harrison, chief hospital corpsman with MCAS Iwakuni’s base health clinic, salutes her peers as she walks down the red carpet during a promotion ceremony in the Marine Memo More
A child attending the Boys and Girls Club Day for Kids Celebration 2016 colors at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 17, 2016. Day for Kids gave children an opportunity to have fun and interact with More
Japanese locals make their way toward the Kumano Brush festival in Kumano, Japan, Sept. 22, 2016. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents traveled to Kumano with the Cultural Adaptation Program to experience More
Col. Richard F. Fuerst, station commanding officer for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, addresses station residents and Japanese locals during the U.S-Japan Children Soccer event at the Suo-Oshima Athletic Fie More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob Johnson, firefighting specialist with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, demonstrates how the firefighting gear works for Brownies of the Iwakuni Brownies Troop 92 during a fir More
The Matthew C. Perry High School Samurai football team snaps the football during the Far East Division II Championship Nov. 5, 2016, at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The Samurai utilized a power run More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Jorge Lares, left, Ashley Garcia, middle, and Austin Berube, right, combat engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, attempt to fix a generator during unit level trai More
U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 542 (VMA) 542, exit a U.S. Air Force C-130J upon their arrival at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 2, 2016. VMA-542 journeyed to Chitose to partake in the Aviation Relocati More
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col John D. Ferguson, commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, addresses his marines before the arrival of four of the squadrons AV-8B Harriers to Chitose Air Base, Japan, D More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Breht Urzua, a power line technician with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, conducts a routine inspection of an AV-8B Harrier prior to flight at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 7, 201 More
U.S. Navy Lt. Tighe Marrone, flight surgeon for Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, jumps to block a shot against a player from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force basketball team during the Aviation Training Reloca More
Veronica Kerrigan, regional program specialist for the American Red Cross at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, distributes cookies to U.S. Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron 4 Detachment Bravo at MCAS Iwa More
An F/A-18D Hornet with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225 taxis down the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 5, 2017. VMFA(AW) 225 is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni on a More
Children from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Japanese local children practice calligraphy with the help of instructors in Waki Town, Japan, Jan. 7, 2017. The children learned how to write their goals in More
An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 18, 2017. VMFA-121 conducted a permanent change of station to MCAS Iwakuni, from MCAS More
U.S. Navy Engineman 3rd Class Elizabeth Rodriguez, left, and U.S. Navy Engineman 3rd Class Yajaira Armenta Navarro, right, with harbor operations work together to retrieve a boom during a spill training exercis More
Two U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311, conduct vertical landing training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 3, 2017. VMA-311 is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakun More
U.S. Marines form Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni watch Japanese locals compete during the Duamau Tournament, a jiu jitsu competition at the TK Training Center in Hiroshima, Japan, Feb. 5, 2017. Jiu jitsu is More
U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Damien Pulvino, left, with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, walks Pacific Fleet Command Master Chief Susan Whitman, through VAW-125’s new facility at Marine Corp More
Sakura Fleming, left, a forward for Matthew C. Perry High School’s Lady Samurai basketball team, takes a shot against a defender during the 2017 Division 2 Girls’ Basketball Tournament at the IronWorks Gym on M More
A flower wreath that reads “Otsukare sama deshita (Thank you for your service)” in Japanese, sits on a table during a retirement ceremony to decommission the last two remaining active MH-53E helicopters from se More
A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 “Red Devils” taxis down the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 24, 2017. VMFA-232 conducted flights as par More
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Ashe, a breacher with the Special Reaction Team (SRT) for Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, shows a weapon to a member of the Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters d More
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks to noncommissioned officers at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 3, 2017. Neller held a troop talk addressing recent More