Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

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Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Iwakuni, Japan

MCAS Iwakuni logo
Type Military base
Built 1950
In use 1950 - present
Controlled by USMC
Garrison Marine Aircraft Group 12
Commanders Col Michael A. Dyer

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni is a United States Marine Corps air station located at the Nishiki river delta in the city of Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture in the Chūgoku region of the island of Honshū, Japan, at 34.14° N 132.24° E. Its ICAO airport code is RJOI. The Americans first occupied the base in 1950 to use it as a springboard for the Korean War. It is currently home to around 5,000 US Marines (including family members). The base is detailed for marine pilot training and air patrol, using F/A-18 Hornet fighter-attack aircraft among others in compliance with the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security obligations to protect Japan.

USMC F/A-18D takes off from MCAS Iwakuni in Dec 2005
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USMC F/A-18D takes off from MCAS Iwakuni in Dec 2005

Every year on May 5th, the local residents and U.S. service members officially celebrate their long-standing friendship.

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