Taking a ride around MCAS Iwakuni

Photo By Sgt. JVonnta Taylor | Local Japanese residents and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni residents pose for a group photo during a base visit at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 11, 2020. The visit offered Japanese residents a deeper understanding of the Air Station’s activities, daily life and American culture by visiting facilities such as the Iwakuni Middle School, Commissary and family housing finishing with lunch at the food court. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. J’vonnta Taylor)  

MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

02.27.2020

Story by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

Local Japanese families received a station briefing, on-base tour and had lunch at the food court at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Feb. 11, 2020.

The base visit’s goal was to deepen the understanding of the Air Station’s activities, daily life and American culture by visiting facilities such as Iwakuni Middle School, the Commissary and family housing. The tour culminated with lunch at the food court.

Forty local residents of Iwakuni participated in the tour, which started with a brief from U.S. Marine Corps Col. Lance Lewis, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni.

“The Station’s community relations programs aim to engage the local Japanese community in a meaningful way,” said Robert Helton, director of MCAS Iwakuni’s government and external affairs office. “We brain stormed ways to get visitors involved and make the experience interactive.”

The tour included a walk-in experience of Iwakuni Middle School. At the school, visitors learned how the educational system works as a U.S. school system on base, and then the students observed the school facilities. American junior high school students also assisted to share their culture with the visitors.

“Everything is so interesting and new,” said Sayuri Noda, an online English teacher. “It’s a lot to take in because we really didn’t know any information about the lifestyle of Americans behind the base’s gates. It is difficult to have a friendship where you don’t understand them, but it is nice to practice speaking English and the culture.”

The event ended with the participants of the tour going to the food court and trying American food. During lunch time, the visitors enjoyed the opportunity to practice speaking English and learning the differences of the culture.

“What made this visit so special, was we were able to bring together school-aged children from off-base to interact with those from on base,” said Helton. “I think in the end everybody walked away from this event with the understanding that we have far more in common than not.”

• Date Taken: 02.27.2020
• Date Posted: 02.29.2020 09:23
• Story ID: 363977
• Location: MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP