Deployed Marines Get Involved in the Community

  • Published
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  In early June, a detachment of Marines from Marine Air Group 12 arrived in Misawa to conduct operational exercises.

While deployed here, the Marines have conducted community relations projects as an act of service and good will to their hosts, as well as to foster good relations between the Marine Corps, the Air Force and the local Japanese community.

A group of 25 Marines from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron-122, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (Aircraft Wing)-224, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-12 volunteered at Club Beyond, a youth outreach ministry of the Misawa Chapel, for 6 hours on Saturday, June 7.

The volunteers cleaned the interior and exterior of Club Beyond, painted, made several repairs and built shelving and a storage and sitting areas.

The Marines continued their volunteer effort at both Cummings and Sollars Elementary Schools by assisting faculty and staff moving materials to help the school transition from the prior school year to the upcoming school year.

At Sollars Elementary, five volunteers from the Marine detachment and one Navy Sailor permanently stationed at Misawa assisted with 1st Grade Field Day. They spent their time leading and assisting in various activities for the students.

Later, Marine volunteers returned to Sollars Elementary School in order to assist with school activities. Some volunteered to staff the reception desk, while the others assisted in recess for 2nd Grade and kindergarten classes as well as visiting with kindergarten students in the cafeteria during lunch.
 
The faculty enjoyed having the Marines visit and play with their students. The students had Marines join them at lunch and at recess. Volunteers played kickball and duck-duck-goose with the students as well as playing on the playground. The most enjoyable part for the students was when they began receiving piggy-back rides from the Marines.

Marine Aircraft Group-12 is headquartered in Iwakuni, Japan, from where VMFA-122 and VMFA (AW)-224 and their support squadrons are currently detached. VMFA-122 and VMFA (AW)-224 are deployed to Japan from Beaufort, South Carolina where they will return after their deployment. The support squadrons of MALS-12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron-171 will return to Iwakuni where they are permanently assigned. MAG-12 conducts community relation projects in Iwakuni and on exercises to foster healthy relationships within the local communities.

The Marine detachment has further community relation projects planned for their time in Misawa. Marines will help at Sollars Elementary again as well as visit a local Japanese nursing home and visit Misawa High School to participate in a cultural exchange with the English classes.