Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
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| MCAS Iwakuni | |||
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| IATA: none – ICAO: RJOI | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Military | ||
| Operator | United States Marine Corps | ||
| Location | Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Japan | ||
| Built | 1950 | ||
| In use | 1950 - present | ||
| Commander | Col. Michael A. O’Halloran | ||
| Occupants | Marine Aircraft Group 12 Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 |
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| Elevation AMSL | 7 ft / 2 m | ||
| Website | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 02/20 | 8,000 | 2,438 | Concrete |
| 02R/20L | 1,200 | 366 | Concrete |
| Sources: Official site[1] and DAFIF [2][3] | |||
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni or MCAS Iwakuni (ICAO: RJOI) is a United States Marine Corps air station located in the Nishiki river delta in the city of Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture in the Chūgoku region of the island of Honshū, Japan.
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[edit] Tenant commands
- Marine Aircraft Group 12 contains the rotary and fixed wing aircraft assets of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Known as "The Ready Group," MAG-12 is home to four flying squadrons and a logistics Squadron.
- Marine All- Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 , nicknamed the Bats, is the only permanent F/A-18 Hornet fighter squadron stationed aboard.
- Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 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 provides essential Aviation Ground Support to the Station. Nicknamed, "America's Squadron," they provide many unique services to Iwakuni personnel.
- Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron provides administrative support and conducts training in general military skills for more than 800 Marines and sailors aboard MCAS Iwakuni. [4]
- Combat Logistics Company 36 Provides logistic support to MWSS-171 and MAG 12.
[edit] History
The Americans first occupied the base in 1950 to use it as a springboard for aircraft heading to the Korean War. It is currently home to around 5,000 United States Marines (including family members). The base is detailed for marine pilot training and air patrol, using F/A-18 Hornet fighter-attack aircraft among others in compliance with the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security obligations to protect Japan.
MCAS Iwakuni is home to a DODEA school, Matthew C. Perry (Elementary and High School).
On July 14th 1970, African-American soldiers and some anti-war soldiers raised a riot against the Vietnam War on the base.
[edit] Friendship Day
Every year on May 5th, Japanese Nationals and U.S. service members, government employees and their families officially celebrate their long-standing friendship by opening its gates for one of Japan's largest air shows dedicated to enhancing the friendship of the two nations. The event, rightly entitled Friendship Day, hosts an average 250,000 visitors whom travel from all over Japan for this historic event. Many visitors learn of the event via the web at the Friendship Day website, which accumulates over 240,000 hits per week.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- ^ MCAS Iwakuni, official website. Retrieved 2007-11-12
- ^ Airport information for RJOI at World Aero Data. Source: DAFIF. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- ^ Airport information for RJOI at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
- ^ Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron
[edit] External links
- MCAS Iwakuni, official site
- Hybrid map and satellite image
- Current weather for RJOI at NOAA/NWS
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