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IWO TO, Japan — Airmen assigned to the 374th Airlift Wing traveled to Iwo To, July 31, 2026 to observe the historic battlefield, climb Mount Suribachi and reflect on the sacrifices made during the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of World War II’s most significant battles.
The battlefield immersion provided Airmen an opportunity to experience the terrain where thousands of American and Japanese service members once fought in 1945, offering an understanding of the cost of war and the enduring importance of readiness.
The group hiked approximately 10 miles across the island, visiting historical sites including Mount Suribachi, former defensive positions, preserved wartime structures and the Reunion of Honor monument.
For U.S. Air Force Maj. Samuel McKinley, 36th Airlift Squadron, assistant director of operations, the physical demands of the hike offered a glimpse into the hardships endured by those who fought there more than 80 years ago.
“The 10-mile walk combined with the oppressive heat and lack of cover made the event physically taxing,” McKinley said. “It transformed a historical lesson into a tangible, exhausting reality that I will never forget.”
For Airmen whose mission supports operations throughout the Indo-Pacific, the visit reinforced how today’s strategic partnerships are rooted in the sacrifices of previous generations.
“Knowing that the Marines who secured those runways provided a critical, lifesaving divert option for crippled B-29 crews returning from Tokyo reinforced the strategic, but also personal, imperative behind the immense human cost of taking the island,” McKinley said.
Because Iwo To remains an active Japanese military installation, civilian access is highly restricted, making visits like this uncommon. This marked the first battlefield immersion for members of Yokota Air Base to the island in approximately three years.
“Professionally, I hope they realize that the heritage they wear on their uniforms was forged in unimaginable hardship, and we owe it to those who fell to be masters of our craft today,” McKinley said. “Personally, I want them to carry forward the perspective that our daily hurdles are small compared to the price paid for the freedoms we defend.”
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2026 01:51 |
| Story ID: | 571938 |
| Location: | JP |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Yokota Airmen visit Iwo To; a World War II historical site, by A1C Julian Batista, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
