An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Nov. 28, 2017

Initial Japan-Based Carrier Air Wing-5 Jet Squadrons Fly-in to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan -- The first jet squadrons from Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5) relocated from Naval Air Facility Atsugi (NAFA) to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (MCASI) Nov. 28 after the conclusion of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG 5) patrol.

The squadrons relocating to MCASI include; Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 115 and 195, along with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141. Both VFA-115 and VFA-195 fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet, while VAQ-141 flies the EA-18G Growler, an airframe based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet equipped for electronic countermeasure missions.

"The arrival of the first F/A-18 squadrons to Iwakuni is an important step forward in the phased relocation of Carrier Air Wing Five," said Capt. Michael Wosje, commander, Carrier Air Wing Five. "Today represents years of hard work and coordination between the U.S. and Japanese governments and we are looking forward to enjoying the hospitality and building new friendships with our Iwakuni hosts."

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, which flies the E-2D, was the first carrier air wing squadron to transition to Iwakuni and arrived in February 2017.

"I would like to welcome Captain Wosje and his entire CVW-5 team to their new home here at MCAS Iwakuni," said Col. Rick Fuerst, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. "The arrival of these initial Japan-based elements moves us ever closer to the culmination of years of planning and preparation here under the Defense Policy Review Initiative. This transformation was designed to both fulfill the United States' strategic vision for its rebalance in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, and to further strengthen the responsiveness and potency of our role in the U.S.-Japan security alliance. Welcome aboard CVW-5."

At the completion of the DPRI process, MCAS Iwakuni will have undergone a 77 percent physical transformation which includes the Iwakuni Runway Relocation project, new schools, commissary, Marine Corps Exchange, family and bachelor housing, hangars, gym, child-care center, theater, administrative buildings, and gas station. These improvements were led by the DPRI program team in close coordination with the regional defense bureau, CSDB, and primarily funded by the Government of Japan to enable U.S. forces to fulfill obligations under the Treaty of Mutual Security and Cooperation.

These moves are in accordance with the Navy's strategic vision for the Asia-Pacific in which the most advanced and capable units are forward deployed in order to support the United States' commitment to the defense of Japan and the security and stability of the region.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,117
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 27, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford Concludes Visit to Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 27, 2024 - Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout...

DIU Partners With AUKUS Pillar II for International Prize Challenge
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is launching the first trilateral prize challenge through AUKUS Pillar II— a defense and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (U.S.)— to...

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Andrew Winternitz Concludes Trip to Japan for Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout...

Marines, Sailors Participate in Holi Festival and Community Events at Tiger TRIUMPH
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Maxwell Gallahan, center left, a platoon commander assigned to Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in musical chairs at a community relations event during Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH in Visakhapatnam, India, March 22, 2024. Tiger TRIUMPH is a U.S.-India tri-service amphibious exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief readiness and interoperability. Tiger TRIUMPH enables U.S. and Indian Armed Forces to improve interoperability and bilateral, joint, and service readiness in the Indian Ocean region and beyond to better achieve mutual regional security objectives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Robert Nanna)
March 26, 2024 - Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embraced India's culture during celebrations, athletic exchanges, and community relations engagements as they participate in Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024...