An explosive charge detonates during ordnance training in preparation for Friendship Day 2023, at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 26, 2023. The MCAS Iwakuni Explosive Ordnance Disposal team has been conducting various controlled explosions since December 2022 in preparation for Friendship Day 2023. - An explosive charge detonates during ordnance training in preparation for Friendship Day 2023, at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 26, 2023. The MCAS Iwakuni Explosive Ordnance Disposal team has been conducting various controlled explosions since December 2022 in preparation for Friendship Day 2023.

History in the making: “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band visits Japan for first time - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Sara Sheffield, left, a mezzo soprano vocalist, and Col. Jason Fettig, the 28th Director, both with "The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, perform at the Yamaguchi Prefectural Culture Hall Sinfonia Iwakuni in Iwakuni City, Japan, May 19, 2019. Nearly 1,200 Japanese locals and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents attended the concert. The centuries-old musical group rarely travels outside of the United States and has never before visited Japan. The last time the band performed internationally was 2001 in Switzerland, making this trip truly historic and unique. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew Jones)

JMSDF, MCAS Iwakuni take Friendship Day 2019 to new altitudes - Japanese guests view various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft during the 43rd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2019. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an exciting experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft, aerial performances, food and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Timothy Valero)

Walking together in unity - From left to right, Yoshihiko Fukuda, the mayor of Iwakuni City; Masahiro Akase, the director general of Chugoku Shikoku Defense Bureau; Yasutake Lida, the director of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Iwakuni Citizen Affairs Bureau; and U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Fuerst, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, came together to participate in the 10th Joint Leadership Walk in Iwakuni City, Japan, March 15, 2019. The walk consisted of touring popular local areas where they spoke to business owners as well as Japanese and American customers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

Americans, Japanese compete in softball tournament - U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Japanese nationals play a softball game in Iwakuni City, Japan, April 28, 2018. The softball game was part of a tournament hosted by Marine Corps Community Services intramural sports division as a way for service members and air station residents to bond over a sport that people from both cultures play. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Jones)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Joseph S. Gregory was appointed sergeant major of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni during a post ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 30, 2018. - Senior ranking leadership from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni and their families stand in observance of the “Marines Hymn” and “Anchors Away” during Sgt. Maj. Joseph S. Gregory’s post ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 30, 2018. During the ceremony Gregory was appointed as the new sergeant major of MCAS Iwakuni.

VMFA-251 has intensified training on familiarizing aircrew members with the JPACE, a pilot’s Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense equipment, while still maintaining focus on the squadron’s mission. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Wilson T. Southerland, a pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., receives assistance with his Joint Protective Aircrew Ensemble (JPACE) and Respirator equipment at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 29, 2017. VMFA-251 has intensified training on familiarizing aircrew members with the JPACE, a pilot’s Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense equipment, while still maintaining focus on the squadron’s mission.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan, taxis out during Exercise Northern Edge 2017, at Eileson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 4, 2017. Northern Edge is Alaska’s largest and premier joint training exercise designed to practice operations, techniques and procedures as well as enhance interoperability among the services. Thousands of participants from all the services—Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard personnel from active duty, Reserve and National Guard units—are involved. - A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan, taxis out during Exercise Northern Edge 2017, at Eileson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 4, 2017. Northern Edge is Alaska’s largest and premier joint training exercise designed to practice operations, techniques and procedures as well as enhance interoperability among the services. Thousands of participants from all the services—Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard personnel from active duty, Reserve and National Guard units—are involved.

Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 load ordnance on an F-35B Lightning II aircraft 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 aircraft at the air station in order to prepare for real-world scenarios. - Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 load ordnance on an F-35B Lightning II aircraft 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 aircraft at the air station in order to prepare for real-world scenarios.

News Rollup Default Thumbnail - News Rollup Default Thumbnail

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Christian Marin, a heavy equipment mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, radios-in a simulated casualty during Exercise Eagle Wrath 2016 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji,Japan, July 28, 2016. During the culminating event, Marines established a mock air base including a landing zone and refueling point, constructed defensive and machine-gun positions, and conducted convoys and patrols over the course of four days. MWSS-171 conducts this exercise once a year in order to train all the Marines within the squadron, enhance their technical skills, field experience and military occupational specialty capability. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Christian Marin, a heavy equipment mechanic with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, radios-in a simulated casualty during Exercise Eagle Wrath 2016 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji,Japan, July 28, 2016. During the culminating event, Marines established a mock air base including a landing zone and refueling point, constructed defensive and machine-gun positions, and conducted convoys and patrols over the course of four days. MWSS-171 conducts this exercise once a year in order to train all the Marines within the squadron, enhance their technical skills, field experience and military occupational specialty capability.

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, is parked after it's mission 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. - 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, is parked after it's mission 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.

Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists the Government of Japan in supporting those affected by recent earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, April 18, 2016. VMM-265 picked up supplies from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Takayubaru and delivered them to Hakusui Sports Park in the Kumamoto Prefecture. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. - Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists the Government of Japan in supporting those affected by recent earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, April 18, 2016. VMM-265 picked up supplies from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Takayubaru and delivered them to Hakusui Sports Park in the Kumamoto Prefecture. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts.