IWAKUNI City, Japan -- Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (MCAS) and Iwakuni City leadership participated in the ninth Joint Leadership Walk in Iwakuni City, Japan, Sept. 19, 2018.

The purpose of the event was to display and strengthen the existing relationship between the air station and Iwakuni City.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, Sgt. Maj. Joseph S. Gregory, sergeant major of MCAS Iwakuni, Yoshihiko Fukuda, mayor of Iwakuni City and other Japanese government officials were the leaders present during the walk.

During the walk, they toured the city, spoke to local Japanese business owners and answered questions from the local media regarding the safety of Japanese nationals and air station residents.

“The area of Iwakuni is our responsibility,” said Fukuda. “It is our responsibility to make sure the citizens of Iwakuni are in a safe environment.”

VIPs at the event included Masahiro Akase, director general of Chugoku Shikoku Defense Bureau and Yasutake Iida, director of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Iwakuni Citizen Affairs Bureau.

Since 2009, the walks have displayed unity between leaders, so that through communication, partnership and understanding, both communities can live and work in harmony.

“It was a great event, and it’s important to get out here tonight with Mayor Fukuda and Director General Akase,” said Fuerst. “Iwakuni is a great city, and MCAS Iwakuni is committed to being a good neighbor in the area, in Yamaguchi prefecture and in the country of Japan.”

Fuerst said that he will continue to work closely with the city and maintain the readiness of the Carrier Air Wing 5, Marine Aircraft Group 12 and Fleet Air Wing 31 while striving to be great neighbors to the surrounding cities.