MWSS-171 sponsors Yahata Gakuen Orphanage Christmas party - Children from Yahata Gakuen Orphanage climb into a heavy equipment vehicle during a Christmas party at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 17, 2017. U.S. Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 welcomed the children to open gifts, play sports, eat lunch and explore U.S. military vehicles such as a Humvee, a heavy equipment vehicle and a tractor, rubber-tired, articulated steering and multi-purpose vehicle. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Muriah King)

Japanese American Society celebrates 60th anniversary in holiday party - Raestru ninja performers conduct a show during the Japanese American Society (JAS) Iwakuni Holiday and 60th Anniversary Party at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 2, 2017. The party was a way for Japanese locals and MCAS Iwakuni residents to spend some time getting to know one another by combining their cultures and sharing a night of celebrating the holidays and 60 years of JAS. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Jones)

US Ambassador to Japan makes first visit to MCAS Iwakuni, Iwakuni City - Ambassador William Hagerty, right, U.S. ambassador to Japan, takes a tour of a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) US-1A seaplane at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 30, 2017. Ambassador Hagerty visited MCAS Iwakuni officially for the first time since arriving in Japan earlier this year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo Lance Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

Initial Japan-Based CVW-5 Jet Squadrons Fly-in to MCAS Iwakuni - An F/A-18E Super Hornet with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 prepares to land at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 28, 2017. VFA-115 arrived at MCAS Iwakuni as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5’s relocation from Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan. The relocation of CVW-5 from NAF Atsugi to MCAS Iwakuni fulfills the final Defense Policy Review Initiative objective. The relocation is in accordance with the United States’ strategic vision for the rebalance in the Indo-Asia Pacific Region and does much to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan security alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Donato Maffin)

Breaking language barriers, building bonds - Judges evaluate each contestant’s speech and stage presence during the 56th Annual Japanese and English Speech Contest at Sinfonia Iwakuni Concert Hall in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 19, 2017. The contest was hosted by the Japanese American Society to help contestants understand and appreciate each other’s language and culture, strengthening the Japanese and American friendship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Muriah King)

Hitting home runs in comradery - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Esteban Arroyo, the air transportation division chief with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), slides to home base during a goodwill softball game at Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 5, 2017. The game is a shop event held to bring Marines and Japanese nationals that work at the air terminal on base together and build office comradery. They also played with the Iwakuni City Sun Land baseball team, helping strengthen the bond between America and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)