F-35s at Friendship Day

05/09/2018
Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 perform a flight demonstration.  This aerial demonstration was conducted during the annual  Friendship Day air show at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan on May 5, 2018. The flight marked the first time an F-35B Lightning II  conducted an aerial demonstration in the Pacific region. IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN 05.05.2018…

Hot Refuel Pit Test on KC-130J

12/21/2017
12/21/2017: Maintaining air superiority is accomplished if our aircraft are constantly maintained, trained on, and refueled. Marine Corporal Calvin Hilt went to the hot refueling pits to see how Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni maintains a high standard of readiness. IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN 10.20.2017 Video by Cpl. Calvin Hilt 

Exercise Active Shield: US and Japanese Forces Train to Protect Iwakuni  

12/12/2017
12/12/2017: Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers jumped into action to keep the air station safe during exercise Active Shield. Marine Cpl. Emily Kirk trailed the group to see how they keep the air station safe. IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN 10.25.2017 Video by Cpl. Emily Kirk American Forces Network Iwakuni, Japan

F-35B at Iwakuni

12/05/2017
F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 depart Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 20, 2017. MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN 10.20.2017 Video by Staff Sgt. William Faffler Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni  

Remaining VMFA-121 F-35Bs Arrive in Japan

11/21/2017
11/21/17: U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 lands at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 15, 2017. The remaining aircraft represent the last installment of F-35B Lightning IIs assigned to VMFA-121. The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter, which…

Japanese and US PAC-3 Joint Training

09/04/2017
09/04/2017: The Japan Air Self Defense Force trained with the Patriot Advanced Capability three on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to improve their skills in an unfamiliar environment. Marine Cpl. Emily Kirk went to flight line to see how the JASDF will handle a missile threat. IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN 09.01.2017 Video…

Advanced Hawkeye Returns to Japan After USS Ronald Reagan Deployment

08/17/2017
08/17/2017: E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 return to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 9, 2017. VAW-125 deployed aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) for the first time with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. The E-2D is the latest variant of the…

VMFA-121 on the Way to Japan

01/12/2017
01/12/2017: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, California (January 10, 2017) Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, an F-35B squadron with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, departed Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, transferring to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 9, 2017. The first location to receive the Marine Corps' F-35B,…