Julie Pace, a speech contestant, presents a speech at the 55th Annual Japanese and English Speech Contest at the Iwakuni Sinfonia in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 13, 2016. Speech contestants were judged on their articulation, enunciation, and clear and concise speaking as well as their overall performance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Gabriela Garcia-Herrera)

Samurai march down the street during the 27th annual Kuragake Festival and Samurai Parade in Iwakuni City, Japan, Nov. 20, 2016. U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni joined the local Japanese in transforming into samurai warriors to march in the parade, commemorating their great battle of 1555. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nicole Zurbrugg)

U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self Defense Force members executed exercise Active Shield at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 10, 2016. Active Shield is an annual exercise designed to test the abilities of U.S. and Japanese forces to work alongside each other to protect and defend Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and other U.S. assets in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Yoshihiko Fukuda, mayor of Iwakuni City, Japan, and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. J. T. Bordo, commanding officer of Marine Fighter attack Squadron (VMFA) 12 observes an F-35B Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 24, 2016. The demonstration of the F-35B gave Fukuda a better understanding of the aircraft and its capabilities. This event helped Fukuda better understand the capabilities of VMFA-121.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan Wicks)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force aviation cadets with the 12th Flight Training Wing from JASDF Hōfu-kita Air Base takes notes during a Japanese officer engagement program at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19, 2016. During the visit, approximately 40 cadets toured the air station to see an F/A-18D Hornet assigned to Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 225 and a KC-130J Hercules belonging to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152. Cadets also took turns flying a KC-130J flight simulator and learned about Marine Aircraft Group 12 and the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

U.S. Marines and Sailors from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni participate in the 60th Annual Iwakuni Festival in Iwakuni City, Japan, Oct. 16, 2016. The festival consisted of demonstrations, performances, concerts, a flea market and food vendors. Children were provided photo opportunities with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Iwakuni police. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

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 a good keeping with the U.S.-Japan relationship, soccer was used to break the barrier of communication through words and teach children communication through actions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Athletes received medals after completing a duathlon during the Special Olympics Nippon Hiroshima at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 2, 2016. The Special Olympics instills confidence, inspires a sense of competition and improves health through the transformative power of sports. Hosting the event here helps service members and their families build stronger relationships with Japanese civilians by breaking language barriers and promoting positive interaction in a foreign country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

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 preschool in Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 8, 2016. After completing the maintenance at the school, the Seabees provided drinks and chips to the students and had the opportunity to talk with them about the maintenance they completed. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Lance Cpl. Laura Mosquera, a warehouse clerk with Combat Logistics Company 36, paints a child’s face during the Summer Music Festival hosted by Marine Corps Community Services at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2016. Mosquera participated in the festival as a volunteer to help out MCCS and the event. The Summer Music Festival was put together for service members, residents and Japanese locals to enjoy the end of the summer with free music, food and fun. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin)

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Repair and Supply Facility Petroleum Terminal unit military working dog handler rewards his K-9 after finding hidden explosives during joint training with Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s Provost Marshal’s Office K-9 unit and Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters officers at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 24, 2016. Handlers and their military working dogs train regularly in a variety of areas such as locating explosives and narcotics, conducting patrols and human tracking in order to become a more effective team. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

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 part of a community relations preschool visit between Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and the local community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Joannabella Smith, a Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni resident, practices her calligraphy at the Kumano Brush Festival in Kumano, Japan, Sept. 22, 2016. Air station residents traveled to Kumano with the Cultural Adaptation Program for the Kumano Brush Festival, where they were given an opportunity to participate in a calligraphy competition with the Japanese locals. After attending the festival the residents visited the Fudenosato Kobo Museum where they learned how calligraphy equipment is made. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

A Japanese athlete from Otake shoots a basketball during a tournament held for station residents and Japanese nationals at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 21, 2016. Forty-four athletes from Iwakuni, Hirata, Ohno, Otake and Mainland Sports Association-Iwakuni took to the courts to compete against each other in a series of basketball games. The association assists young athletes in building character by using basketball to promote academic interest, athletic skills and aims to support and empower athletes using experienced coaches to help develop character, teamwork and leadership traits. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

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 Yukata-Experience festival in the Yokoyama area of Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 13, 2016. Major was invited by the locals to join the honoring of the Shiroyama Hime shrine and said it was an honor to have been part of the ceremony. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

Retirees and members of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni leadership pose for a photo during a retirement ceremony at the Landing Zone in Club Iwakuni on MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, July 15, 2016. The ceremony acknowledged the appreciation for the retirees’ hard work and dedication toward the installation’s success over the years. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Farbo)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, hiked up Mount Fuji, Japan, as part of a unit activity July 31, 2016. Marines within the squadron first conquered Mount Fuji with a 3,776 meter climb to the peak. Marines bought ‘Kongo-Tsue’ walking sticks and had stamps burned onto them, which signified the location and altitude throughout 10 stations located up the trail.. Holding events like these provides Marines with a sense of closure after a month of hard work during the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Check out the Official MCAS Iwakuni's Flickr page to view photos of the units and residents aboard station.