View source for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

{{short description|American–Japanese air base in Yamaguchi, Japan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name          = Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
| ensign        = 
| ensign_size   = 
| native_name   = {{lang|ja|岩国飛行場}}
| partof        = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| location      = [[Iwakuni]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]]
| nearest_town  = <!-- used in military test site infobox -->
| country       = [[Japan]]
| image         = File:Sumos receive prestigious safety award 141201-M-RQ061-018.jpg
| alt           = 
| caption       = A [[United States Marine Corps|US Marine Corps]] [[Lockheed Martin KC-130|KC-130J Super Hercules]] of [[VMGR-152]] taxies to the runway at MCAS Iwakuni in 2014.
| image2        = [[File:Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Logo.png|175px]]
| alt2          = 
| caption2      = 
| type          = Marine Corps Air Station
| coordinates   = {{coord|34|08|42|N|132|14|39|E|region:JP-35|display=inline,title}}
| gridref       = 
| image_map     = 
| image_mapsize = 
| image_map_alt = 
| image_map_caption = 
| pushpin_map   = Japan Yamaguchi Prefecture#Japan
| pushpin_mapsize = 
| pushpin_map_alt = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan
| pushpin_relief = 
| pushpin_image = 
| pushpin_label = MCAS Iwakuni
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_mark  = 
| pushpin_marksize = 
| ownership     = Various (leased by [[Government of Japan]] and made available to the US)
| operator      = * [[United States Marine Corps|US Marine Corps]] ([[United States Marine Corps|USMC]])
* [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] ([[United States Air Force|USAF]])
* [[United States Navy|US Navy]] ([[United States Navy|USN]])
* [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] ([[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force|JMSDF]])
| controlledby  = [[Marine Corps Installations Pacific|Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC)]]
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other    = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types, etc -->
| site_area     = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
| code          = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
| built         = {{Start date|1940}}
| used          = 1940 – present <!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| builder       = 
| materials     = 
| height        = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length        = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate          = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
| condition     = Operational
| battles       = 
| events        = 
| current_commander = [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] Richard M. Rusnok, [[Suffix (name)|Jr.]]
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison      = *[[Marine Aircraft Group 12]] ([[United States Marine Corps|USMC]])
*[[Carrier Air Wing 5]] ([[United States Navy|USN]])
*[[Fleet Air Force (JMSDF)|Fleet Air Wing 31]] ([[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force|JMSDF]])
| occupants     = <!-- squadrons only -->
| designations  = 
| website       = {{Official URL}}
<!-- begin airfield information  -->| IATA          = IWK
| ICAO          = RJOI
| FAA           = 
| TC            = 
| LID           = 
| GPS           = 
| WMO           = 477640
| elevation     = {{Convert|3|m|0}}
| r1-number     = 02/20
| r1-length     = {{Convert|2440|m|0}}
| r1-surface    = [[Concrete]]
| h1-number     = 
| h1-length     = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
| h1-surface    = 
| airfield_other_label = Other airfield facilities
| airfield_other = 1x [[seaplane]] ramp and 1x [[V/STOL]] pad
<!--  end airfield information   -->| footnotes     = Airfield shared with Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport.<br>'''Source:''' Japanese [[Aeronautical Information Publication|AIP]] at [[Aeronautical Information Service|AIS Japan]]<ref name="AIP" />
}}
{{nihongo|'''Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni''' or '''MCAS Iwakuni'''|岩国飛行場|Iwakuni hikōjō}} {{airport codes|IWK|RJOI}} is a joint [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces]] and [[United States Marine Corps]] air station located in the [[Nishiki River|Nishiki]] [[river delta]], {{convert|1.3|NM|abbr=on|lk=in}} southeast of [[Iwakuni Station]]<ref name="AIP">[https://aisjapan.mlit.go.jp/ AIS Japan]</ref> in the [[Municipality of Japan|city]] of [[Iwakuni]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]], Japan.

==History==
The Japanese government bought a large portion of what is today MCAS Iwakuni in 1938, with the view of establishing a naval air station. They commissioned the new base on 8 July 1940. When World War II started, the Iwakuni Air Station was used as a training and defense base. The station housed 96 trainers and 150 Zero fighter planes on the airstrip. In September 1943, a branch of the [[Imperial Japanese Naval Academy|Etajima Naval Academy]] was established here, with approximately 1,000 cadets undergoing training in the Basic, Junior, and Senior Officer's schools at any one time. American [[B-29 Superfortress|B-29's]] bombed Iwakuni in May and August 1945, concentrating on the oil refinery and Rail Transport Office or train station areas. The last air raid took place just a day before the war was brought to a close.

The first allies to reach Iwakuni at the war's end were a group of U.S. Marines who had signed papers ending the conflict for the Japanese air base. After the end of World War II, various military forces from the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand occupied the base and it was repaired by [[No. 5 Airfield Construction Squadron RAAF]] and designated a [[Royal Australian Air Force]] Base in 1948. The Americans first occupied the base in 1950 to use it as a springboard for aircraft heading to the [[Korean War]]. In 1952, the base officially became a United States military base.<ref>MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. (n.d.). MCAS Iwakuni History. Retrieved 17 March 2010, {{cite web |url=https://www.mcasiwakuni.marines.mil/History.aspx |title=History |access-date=2016-01-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313134334/http://www.mcasiwakuni.marines.mil/History.aspx |archive-date=13 March 2016}}</ref>
[[File:F-51Ds 77 Sqn RAAF at Iwakuni c1950.jpg|thumb|left|F-51Ds of RAAF No. 77 Squadron in maintenance at Iwakuni Airfield, June 1950.]]

Iwakuni had scheduled international service by private airlines from 1952 to 1964, during which time it had the IATA airport code '''IWJ'''. This code was later reassigned to [[Iwami Airport]] in neighboring Shimane Prefecture.<ref>{{cite news|title=12月開港の岩国空港略称、「ＩＷＫ」に決まる|url=http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNZO44238580X20C12A7LC0000/|access-date=11 March 2014|newspaper=Nihon Keizai Shimbun|date=28 July 2012|quote=国交省大阪航空局などによると、1952～64年の間、岩国は国際空港として民間機が発着しており、このときの略称はＩＷＪだったという。これは現在、石見空港（島根県益田市）の略称として使われている。}}</ref>

[[Nuclear weapon]]s were moved from Okinawa to the base for storage during a brief period in 1966. When U.S. ambassador to Japan [[Edwin O. Reischauer]] learned of the presence of the weapons, which was a violation of the [[Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan]], he told the [[United States Department of State]] that if the weapons were not removed within 90 days he would resign and go public with the information. The weapons were removed shortly thereafter, and their presence at the base did not become publicly known until 2010.<ref>[[Jiji Press]]/[[Kyodo News]], "U.S. kept nuclear arms at Iwakuni in 1966: scholar", ''[[Japan Times]]'', 17 March 2010, p. 1.</ref>

It is currently home to around 10,000 [[United States Marines]], sailors, and family members. The base is detailed for Marine [[Aviator|pilot]] training and air patrol, using [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 Hornet]] [[Fighter aircraft|fighter]]-[[Ground attack aircraft|attack aircraft]] among others in compliance with the [[Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan|Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security]] obligations to protect Japan. MCAS Iwakuni is also shared with the [[Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force]]. MCAS Iwakuni is home to a [[Department of Defense Education Activity|Department of Defense]] school, Matthew C. Perry (Elementary, Middle School, and High School).

[[File:F-18 Iwakuni.jpg|thumb|left|USMC F/A-18D takes off from MCAS Iwakuni in December 2005]]
A new off-shore runway opened at the base on 30 May 2010. The new runway is 2,440 meters in length.<ref>''[[Japan Times]]'', "New Offshore Runway at U.S. Iwakuni Operational", 30 May 2010.</ref>

On 22 November 2017, a [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound|C-2A Greyhound]] cargo plane with 11 crew and passengers aboard crashed southeast of Okinawa after departing the base for the aircraft carrier [[USS Ronald Reagan]].  Eight of the 11 on board were rescued.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/world/asia/us-navy-japan.html|title=Navy Aircraft With 11 Aboard Crashes into Waters Off Japan|work=The New York Times|date=22 November 2017|access-date=22 November 2017|first=Motoko|last=Rich}}</ref>

On 6 December 2018, a F/A-18D Hornet (callsign "Profane 12") belonging to VMFA(AW)-242 collided mid-air with a KC-130 (callsign "Sumo 41") from VMGR-152 during a nighttime training exercise. The crew of Sumo 41 were killed in the collision along with the pilot of Profane 12. The co-pilot of Profane 12 was rescued by [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force|JMSDF]] Search & Rescue in Japanese waters. An investigation into the accident was led by the Marine Corps. [[ProPublica]] later conducted their independent investigation after finding the Marine Corps's initial results to be inaccurate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Robert Faturechi,Megan Rose,T Christian|title=Faulty Equipment, Lapsed Training, Repeated Warnings: How a Preventable Disaster Killed Six Marines|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/marines-hornet-squadron-242-crash-pacific-resilard?token=hOnQZdHJTqbmH1LsDLO0b4yyvVLFJq3M|access-date=2021-05-15|website=ProPublica|language=en|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004351/https://www.propublica.org/article/marines-hornet-squadron-242-crash-pacific-resilard?token=hOnQZdHJTqbmH1LsDLO0b4yyvVLFJq3M|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Robert Faturechi,Megan Rose,T Christian|title=U.S. Marine Corps Concludes Its Investigation Into a Fatal 2018 Midair Crash Was Inaccurate|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/u-s-marine-corps-concludes-its-investigation-into-a-fatal-2018-midair-crash-was-inaccurate?token=7gWaXmUPKFK66KhqnGaWpuz1WGcqC5uZ|access-date=2021-05-15|website=ProPublica|language=en|archive-date=28 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628102601/https://www.propublica.org/article/u-s-marine-corps-concludes-its-investigation-into-a-fatal-2018-midair-crash-was-inaccurate?token=7gWaXmUPKFK66KhqnGaWpuz1WGcqC5uZ|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===USN Carrier Air Wing 5 relocation to MCAS Iwakuni===
Since at least 2005 there had been plans to relocate [[Carrier Air Wing Five]]'s fixed wing aircraft from [[Naval Air Facility Atsugi]] in [[Kanagawa Prefecture]] to Iwakuni.<ref>[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/06/04/national/iwakuni-to-take-in-atsugi-jets/ Iwakuni to take in Atsugi jets? 4 Jun 2005] ''[[Japan Times]]'' Retrieved 10 August 2016</ref> Yamaguchi governor Sekinari Nii said there was "no way" Yamaguchi prefecture would accept this.<ref>[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/10/31/national/yamaguchi-governor-rips-iwakuni-move/ Yamaguchi governor rips Iwakuni move 31 October 2005] ''[[Japan Times]]'' Retrieved 10 August 2016</ref> In 2006 Iwakuni voters rejected the plan in a [[Referendum|plebiscite]]<ref>Johnston, Eric [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/03/13/national/iwakuni-voters-reject-realignment-plan/ Iwakuni voters reject realignment plan 13 Mar 2006] ''[[Japan Times]]''</ref> and [[Iwakuni]] mayor Katsusuke Ihara urged Tokyo to drop the plan.<ref>[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/03/17/national/drop-base-plan-iwakuni-mayor/ Drop base plan: Iwakuni mayor 17 March 2006] ''[[Japan Times]]'' Retrieved 10 August 2016</ref> In 2007 the Japanese government passed legislation to prepare for the relocation of US Forces in Japan including subsidies for local affected areas.<ref>[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/05/24/national/diet-enacts-law-that-paves-way-for-u-s-forces-realignment/ Diet enacts law that paves way for U.S. forces realignment 24 May 2007] ''[[Japan Times]]'' Retrieved 10 August 2016</ref>

The move was planned to have been done in 2014, but after construction delays the move was delayed by three years, to 2017.<ref>[http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/japan/air-wing-s-move-from-atsugi-to-iwakuni-delayed-3-years-1.205172 Air wing's move from Atsugi to Iwakuni delayed 3 years 25 January 2013] ''[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]]'' Retrieved 10 August 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2015/08/09/editorials/reducing-military-jet-noise/ Reducing military jet noise 9 August 2015] ''[[Japan Times]]'' Retrieved 10 August 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/02/05/national/suga-visits-yamaguchi-consent-transfer-u-s-carrier-wing-base-iwakuni/ Suga visits Yamaguchi for consent to transfer U.S. carrier wing to base in Iwakuni 5 February 2017] ''[[Japan Times]]'' Retrieved 5 February 2017</ref>

The move did not include the wing's two helicopter squadrons which remain based at [[Naval Air Facility Atsugi|NAF Atsugi]]. The first CVW-5 squadron, [[VAW-125]] flying the [[Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye#E-2D Advanced Hawkeye|E-2D Hawkeye]] arrived in January 2017. The Boeing E/A-18G Growlers of VAQ-141 "Shadowhawks" completed relocation in January, 2018.  By March 2018, all fixed wing aircraft of Carrier Air Wing 5 had completed relocation from NAF Atsugi.<ref>{{citation|type=press release|title=Final Japan-Based CVW-5 Jet Squadrons Fly-in to MCAS Iwakuni|date=March 28, 2018|publisher=Commander Navy Region Japan Public Affairs Office |url=https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/1477739/final-japan-based-cvw-5-jet-squadrons-fly-in-to-mcas-iwakuni/}}</ref>

===USMC F-35B aircraft===
The first aircraft of [[VMFA-121|Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 "Green Knights"]] (VMFA-121) arrived on 18 January 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last= Insinna |first=Valerie |date=10 January 2017 |title=First F-35B Squadron Moves to Japan |url=http://www.defensenews.com/articles/first-f-35b-squadron-moves-to-japan |work=[[Defensenews.com]] |access-date=8 March 2018 }}</ref> This became the first forward deployed F-35B Lightning II squadron in the United States Marine Corps. They have since flown show of force sorties against North Korea.<ref>{{cite news |last=LaGrone |first=Sam |date=31 August 2017 |title=Marine F-35s, Air Force Bombers Sortie with South Korea, Japan in Show of Force After North Korea Missile Tests |url=https://news.usni.org/2017/08/31/marine-f-35s-air-force-bombers-sortie-south-korea-japan-show-force-north-korea-missile-tests |work=USNI News |access-date=9 March 2018 }}</ref>

== Role and operations ==
[[File:MCAS Iwakuni unloads E-2D Advanced Hawkeye designated for Japan Air Self-Defense Force (9294372).jpg|thumb|A vehicle carrier ship offloads an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye at the MCAS Iwakuni harbor (2025)]] 
MCAS Iwakuni supports transportation of military assets between sea and shore through use of its co-located harbor and airfield.

===US Marine Corps===
[[File:FA-18D MCAS Iwakuni 2018-1.jpg|thumb|Taxiing F/A-18D Hornet of [[VMFA(AW)-242]] at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (2018)]]
[[File:F-35B Lighting II training flights 170203-M-VF398-0001.jpg|thumb|left|F-35B Lightning IIs with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, taxi to the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni]]
[[Marine Aircraft Group 12]] (MAG-12) contains the rotary and fixed wing aircraft assets of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. MAG-12 is home to three flying squadrons, an aviation logistics squadron, and a ground support squadron.
*[[VMFA-242]] "Bats"— one of two permanent forward deployed Marine [[F-35B Lightning II]] fighter squadrons.
*[[VMFA-121]] "Green Knights"- the other permanent forward deployed Marine [[F-35B Lightning II]] fighter squadron.
*[[VMGR-152]] "Sumos" — moved here from [[Marine Corps Air Station Futenma|MCAS Futenma]] in Okinawa commencing in June 2014 with their 15 [[Lockheed Martin KC-130#KC-130J|KC-130J Super Hercules]].
*[[Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12]] (MALS-12) provides logistics support, guidance, and direction to MAG-12 and other commands aboard the Station. Click on the link to the right for more information on the Marauders.
*[[Marine Wing Support Squadron 171]] (MWSS-171) provides essential Aviation Ground Support to the Station
*[[Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron]] (H&HS) provides administrative support and conducts training in general military skills for more than 800 Marines and sailors aboard MCAS Iwakuni.<ref>[https://www.marines.mil/unit/mcasiwakuni/Pages/organizations/hhs/hhs.aspx Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron]</ref>
*[[List of United States Marine Corps Combat Logistics Companies|Combat Logistics Company 36 (CLC-36)]] Provides logistic support to MWSS-171 and MAG 12.

===US Air Force===
The 374th Communications Squadron provides communications support to H&HS, MAG-12, Branch Medical Clinic Iwakuni, Army Corps of Engineers, and the [[Japan Maritime Self Defence Force|JMSDF]].

== Tenant Squadrons USMC/USN ==
Flying units based at MCAS Iwakuni.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Insignia
!Squadron
!Code
!Callsign/Nickname
!Assigned Aircraft
!Operational Assignment
|-
|[[File:VFA-147 Emblem.svg|frameless|89x89px]]
|[[VFA-147|Strike Fighter Squadron 147]]
|VFA-147
|Argonauts
|[[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35C Lightning II]]
|[[Carrier Air Wing Five]]
|-
|[[File:VFA-195 Emblem.svg|frameless|91x91px]]
|[[VFA-195|Strike Fighter Squadron 195]]
|VFA-195
|Dambusters
|[[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18E Super Hornet]]
|[[Carrier Air Wing Five]]
|-
|[[File:VFA-27 Emblem.svg|frameless|88x88px]]
|[[VFA-27|Strike Fighter Squadron 27]]
|VFA-27
|Royal Maces
|[[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18E Super Hornet]]
|[[Carrier Air Wing Five]]
|-
|[[File:VFA-102 Emblem.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|[[VFA-102|Strike Fighter Squadron 102]]
|VFA-102
|Diamondbacks
|[[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F Super Hornet]]
|[[Carrier Air Wing Five]]
|-
|[[File:VAQ-141 Emblem.svg|frameless|83x83px]]
|[[VAQ-141|Electronic Attack Squadron 141]]
|VAQ-141
|Shadowhawks
|[[Boeing EA-18G Growler|E/A-18G Growler]]
|[[Carrier Air Wing Five]]
|-
|[[File:VAW-125 Emblem.svg|frameless|82x82px]]
|[[VAW-125|Airborne Command and Control Squadron 125]]
|VAW-125
|Tigertails
|[[Grumman E-2 Hawkeye|E-2D Advanced Hawkeye]]
|[[Carrier Air Wing Five]]
|-
|[[File:VMFA-121 Insignia.jpg|frameless|88x88px]]
|[[VMFA-121|Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121]]
|VMFA-121
|Green Knights
|[[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35B Lightning II]]
|[[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]] (1st MAW)
|-
|[[File:Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (United States Marine Corps) insignia, 2020.png|frameless|81x81px]]
|[[VMFA-242|Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242]]
|VMFA-242
|Bats
|[[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35B Lightning II]]
|[[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]] (1st MAW)
|-
| 
|[[VMGR-152|Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152]]
|VMGR-152
|Sumos
|[[Lockheed Martin KC-130|KC-130J Hercules]]
|[[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]] (1st MAW)
|}


== Based units ==
Flying and notable non-flying units based at MCAS Iwakuni.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|last=Kaminski|first=Tom|date=2019|title=Aircraft of the US Navy and US Marine Corps|magazine=US Navy & Marine Corps Air Power Yearbook 2019|publisher=Key Publishing|pages=68–92}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Organizations|url=https://www.mcasiwakuni.marines.mil/Organizations/|access-date=27 June 2020|website=MCAS Iwakuni|publisher=US Marine Corps|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808061523/https://www.mcasiwakuni.marines.mil/Organizations/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":2">[https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/iwakuni/ht/unit.html Air Station Iwakuni - Unit (Japanese)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122174427/http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/iwakuni/ht/unit.html|date=22 January 2013}}</ref>
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}

=== [[United States Marine Corps]] ===
'''[[Marine Corps Installations Pacific|Marine Corps Installations – Pacific]]'''

* [[Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron]] – [[Beechcraft C-12 Huron|UC-12W Huron]]

'''[[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]]'''

* [[Marine Aircraft Group 12]]
** [[VMGR-152|Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152)]] – [[Lockheed Martin KC-130|KC-130J Super Hercules]]
** [[VMFA-242|Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA-242)]] – [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35B Lightning II]]
** [[Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12|Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 (MALS-12)]]
** [[VMFA-121|Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121)]] – [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35B Lightning II]]
** [[Marine Wing Support Squadron 171|Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 (MWSS-171)]]

'''[[3rd Marine Logistics Group]]'''

* [[Combat Logistics Regiment 35]]
** Combat Logistics Company 36 (CLC-36)

=== [[United States Air Force]] ===
'''[[Pacific Air Forces]] (PACAF)'''

* [[Fifth Air Force]]
** [[374th Airlift Wing]]
*** 374th Mission Support Group
**** 374th Communications Squadron
***** Operating Location Bravo
{{Col-break}}

=== [[United States Navy]] ===
'''[[United States Pacific Fleet|US Pacific Fleet]]'''

* [[Commander, Naval Air Forces|Naval Air Force Pacific]]
** [[HSC-25|Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25)]]
*** Detachment 6 – [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk|MH-60S Seahawk]]
** [[Carrier Air Wing Five|Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5)]]
*** [[VAW-125|Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 (VAW-125)]] – [[Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye|E-2D Hawkeye]]
*** [[VRC-40|Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Composite 40 (VRC-40)]]
**** Detachment 5 – [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound|C-2A Greyhound]]
*** [[VAQ-141|Electronic Attack Squadron 141 (VAQ-141)]] – [[Boeing EA-18G Growler|EA-18G Growler]]
*** [[VFA-27|Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27)]]  – [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18E Super Hornet]]
*** [[VFA-102|Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102)]]  – F/A-18F Super Hornet
*** [[VFA-147|Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147)]]  – [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35C Lightning II]]
*** [[VFA-195 (U.S. Navy)|Strike Fighter Squadron 195 (VFA-195)]]  – F/A-18E Super Hornet

=== [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] ===

'''[[Fleet Air Force (JMSDF)|Fleet Air Force]]'''
*Fleet Air Wing 31
**Air Patrol Squadron 71 – [[Shin Meiwa US-1A|US-1A]] and [[ShinMaywa US-2|US-2]]
**Air Patrol Squadron 81 –  [[Lockheed EP-3|EP-3]] and [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|OP-3C]]
**Air Patrol Squadron 91 – [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|UP-3D]] and [[Learjet 35#Military variants|U-36A]]
**[[Mine Countermeasures Helicoptor Squadron 111 (JMSDF)|Mine Countermeasures Helicopter Squadron 111]] – [[AgustaWestland AW101|MCH-101]]
{{Col-end}}

==Commercial services==

[[File:岩国錦帯橋空港 IwakuniKintaikyouAirport - panoramio (12).jpg|thumb|Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport]]
Regular commercial service started from 13 December 2012 with a civilian airport terminal built to accommodate commercial flights. It was initially projected that up to 430,000 passengers would use the airport each year,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.stripes.com/news/japan-carrier-to-offer-iwakuni-flights-1.99042 | title=Japan carrier to offer Iwakuni flights | date=19 February 2010 | first1=Travis J. | last1=Tritten | first2=Chiyomi | last2=Sumida | publisher=Stars and Stripes | access-date=8 January 2019 }}</ref> and in the first seven months of operations the airport handled over 200,000 passengers, with average [[load factor (aeronautics)|load factor]]s between Iwakuni and Tokyo exceeding 70% during June 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=開港半年の岩国空港、利用は堅調|url=http://www.nikkei.com/paper/article/?ng=DGKDZO58059550S3A800C1ML0000|publisher=日本経済新聞|access-date=5 August 2013}}</ref>

Since the [[IATA airport code]] IWJ, formerly assigned to Iwakuni, was reassigned to [[Iwami Airport]], a new IATA code of IWK was assigned to Iwakuni. The inaugural flight was operated by [[All Nippon Airways]] from [[Haneda Airport]]. Iwakuni Airport is called by its official nickname "Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport", named after the [[Kintaikyo bridge]] near the airport. In the future, the airport plans to serve international flights to [[China]] and [[South Korea]] as well as more cities within Japan. However, these plans were never made as nearby [[Hiroshima Airport]] and [[Matsuyama Airport]] already served dozens of these flights.

===Airlines and destinations===

<!-- Please use only independent sources. The airport and airlines itself are not independent sources. -->{{Airport-dest-list
| [[All Nippon Airways]] | [[Tokyo–Haneda]]
| [[ANA Wings]] | [[Naha Airport|Naha]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airlineroute.net/2016/02/10/nh-domestic-s16/|title=ANA Adds New Domestic Routes in S16|publisher=airlineroute|access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref> [[Tokyo–Haneda]]
}}

==Friendship Day==
[[File:Japanese Self Defense Armed Forces (JSDAF), Major General (MGEN) Matuoka Sadayosi, US Marine Corps (USMC) Colonel (COL) Dave Darrah and USMC COL Stephen Pomeroy, walk toward the mai - DPLA - d2758066a6fcd24c7fbbc265af4ae0dc.jpeg|alt=Japanese Self Defense Armed Forces (JSDAF), Major General (MGEN) Matuoka Sadayosi, US Marine Corps (USMC) Colonel (COL) Dave Darrah and USMC COL Stephen Pomeroy, walk toward the main gate for the opening ceremonies of Friendship Day at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan.|thumb|JSDAF Major General Matuoka Sadayosi and USMC Colonels Dave Darrah and Stephen Pomeroy walk towards MCAS Iwakuni front gate for the opening ceremonies of Friendship Day 2003]]
[[File:160505-M-QX129-005 (26932621925).jpg|thumb|A child tries on a Kevlar helmet during the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day 2016 Air Show, 5 May 2016.]]
Every year on 5 May, Japanese [[Nationality|nationals]] and [[U.S. military|U.S. service members]], government employees and their families officially celebrate their long-standing friendship by opening the gates of MCAS Iwakuni for one of Japan's largest [[air show]]s dedicated to enhancing the friendship of the two [[nations]]. The event, entitled Friendship Day, hosts an average 250,000 visitors who travel from all over Japan.<ref name=MCAS_I_FD>{{cite press release
 |access-date  = 10 June 2008
 |url         = http://www.iwakuni.usmc.mil/press-releases/2008/016-08-conference.html
 |title       = Press Conference for 2008 Friendship Day
 |date        = 8 April 2008
 |publisher   = MCAS Iwakuni, United States Marine Corps
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080426032600/http://www.iwakuni.usmc.mil/press-releases/2008/016-08-conference.html
 |archive-date = 26 April 2008}}</ref><ref name=FD>{{cite web|url=http://www.friendship-day.net|title=Friendship Day website|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501025739/http://www.friendship-day.net/|archive-date=1 May 2008}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[List of United States Marine Corps installations]]
*[[List of airports in Japan]]

==References==
:''This article incorporates text in the [[public domain]] from the [[United States Marine Corps]].''
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni}}
*{{Official website}}
*[http://www.usmclife.com/ An Insider's Guide to USMC Bases including Iwakuni] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805064856/http://www.usmclife.com/ |date=5 August 2013 }}
*{{NWS-current|RJOI}}

{{US Marine Corps navbox}}
{{Japanese airports}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iwakuni}}
[[Category:United States Marine Corps air stations|active]]
[[Category:Installations of the U.S. Department of Defense in Japan]]
[[Category:Airports in Chūgoku region]]
[[Category:Transport in Yamaguchi Prefecture]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Yamaguchi Prefecture]]
[[Category:Military airbases established in 1940]]
[[Category:1940 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:Iwakuni, Yamaguchi]]