Americans, Japanese relay message of friendship

Photo By Sgt. Andrew Jones | Participants in the Iwakuni Friendship Relay Marathon run through Kizuna Stadium in Iwakuni City, Japan, March 18, 2018. The marathon relay was a family-friendly event open to all ages. Many teams wore themed costumes from popular films, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and friendly competition. Events like this strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Japan and represent the purpose of Kizuna Stadium. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Jones)  

MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

03.19.2018

Story by Lance Cpl. Andrew Jones 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

IWAKUNI CITY, Japan (March 19, 2018) – U.S. Marines and sailors from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni ran with local Japanese residents during the Iwakuni Friendship Relay Marathon in Iwakuni City, Japan, March 18, 2018.

The marathon relay was a family-friendly event open to all ages. Many teams wore themed costumes from popular films, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and friendly competition.

Japanese and American teams of varying sizes ran 1.3 kilometer loops for four hours through the Kizuna Stadium complex. The word kizuna means bond. Events like this strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Japan, which is what the stadium represents.

“This is why this stadium was built in the first place,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jason R. Cain, sergeant major of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “It was to get both countries’ people together as one community.”

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Tatsuya Futakawa, commanding officer of Fleet Air Wing 31, invited U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, and other senior ranking leadership from the air station to run with JMSDF as a joint team.

“It made sense to make a team together and show the community that both the Japanese and Americans are one team here on the air station,” said Cain.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert Vuolo, operations officer of MCAS Iwakuni, Col. Mark Palmer, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 12, Lt. Col. John Harris, executive officer of MCAS Iwakuni, Maj. Joseph Grimm, staff judge advocate with H&HS, Lt. Col. Kevin A. Campbell, commanding officer of H&HS, and Cain, were all part of the joint team.

Keizo Hirata, an Iwakuni resident and a volunteer at the event, said that the friendship event was more fun than a normal event and that he hopes more friendship events can happen at Kizuna Stadium.

• Date Taken: 03.19.2018
• Date Posted: 03.19.2018 02:31
• Story ID: 269805
• Location: MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP