I was stationed In Iwakuni from 76 -79. What made it a special place for me was its location. It was easy to see a lot of Japan from their train systems. Besides seeing Miyajima and Hiroshima, you can see many of Japan's best cities. With the Shinkansen station at Shin-Iwakuni close by, I was able to see on day trips, Okayama, Fukuyama, Osaka, and Himeji. I also took multiple trips for a few days to see Kyoto and Nara, Tokyo/Mt. Fuji, and even went to Matsuyama In Shikoku. Travel in Japan is even easier now and more places to see, and I highly recommend you see as much as you can. The Japanese people are great!
I was there in 1956-57. A young Marine in Japan. Everything is changed except the bridge. No food stores on base, only the EM club. 15c for Lucky Lauger, 25c for a hair cut. 360 yen to the dollar. We were paid in military certificates. Had to change our money on the base. No uniforms off the base. I still have black and white photos of bridge at apple blossom time. GO SEE THE KINATI BRIDGE.
Wow. I was stationed there 1979-1980. Used to be pretty rustic. Lived in Block 8 on mainside, and in the old metal quonset huts on wingside. Nothing is the same on the base. 40 years has passed since then... *sigh*
LOL Block 8, I remember when the new "hotel" opened and we had to move and we wrecked the floors dragging our lockers. And then I rotated 2 weeks later.
Wow, like the old saying goes….. what a difference a few years makes!!! I was stationed on the air station in 1977-78 and I had plenty to do but to see it in 2024 is unbelievable!!! I was a newly married Marine and I wasn’t able to get my Marine wife stationed with me so our first year married was spent apart (47 years later and we are still together.).
Tomadachi E Club Gym was dump on Wing-side Stayed In Q Huts in 80 for a couple months until the open Squad-bays Remember the 2nf floor recording studio where we copied music from copied music from copied music?
CLC-36 From 2005-2006. There is a story of me getting orders to Iwakuni by luck. I originally had orders to Okinawa. Im so proud to have served in the Marine Corps best kept secret. After that I served multiple tours in Iraq, but ill never forget my blessed days in Iwakuni. I still talk to the many brother I served with on Iwakuni.
Was stationed there back in 1987-89 meet my wife there it was one of my favorite duty station I ever lived at. Some day I will ga back & maybe live out the rest of my time there.
Glad to hear that. I was South Korean air-force man and worked several weeks each year with 1st MAW 12MAG VMFA that deployed for excises to Yechon airbase in South Korea from 95 to 97. The call signs were Red devil, Viking, Lancer. It was my pleasure to work with well trained USMC soldiers.
My tour was 1975-76. It wasn't bad duty then, but it was nothing at all like this. This looks like paradise. Thats okay though. We need to treat Marines right.
You were there for some of the same time I was. I was there from 75-78. I didn't recognize a single thing in this video well, other than the Kintai bridge and the castle. It was my favorite station, not because of the base because it was pretty run down but the location. My wife and I traveled all around and enjoyed the food and culture of the Japanese immensely. Semper Fi.
It is interesting how all our experiences are unique. I was in Iwakuni from 75 - 78 and loved it, although the base was run down, I enjoyed Iwakuni and surrounding cities/towns. I longed to go back there my entire 22 year career. I was then stationed in Okinawa 88 - 89 and mostly hated every minute of it. I still enjoyed the local food but for me it was the pits.
Was there for in 2010-2013. Miss that place.. Great times!
I was stationed In Iwakuni from 76 -79. What made it a special place for me was its location. It was easy to see a lot of Japan from their train systems. Besides seeing Miyajima and Hiroshima, you can see many of Japan's best cities. With the Shinkansen station at Shin-Iwakuni close by, I was able to see on day trips, Okayama, Fukuyama, Osaka, and Himeji. I also took multiple trips for a few days to see Kyoto and Nara, Tokyo/Mt. Fuji, and even went to Matsuyama In Shikoku. Travel in Japan is even easier now and more places to see, and I highly recommend you see as much as you can. The Japanese people are great!
I was there in 1956-57. A young Marine in Japan. Everything is changed except the bridge. No food stores on base, only the EM club. 15c for Lucky Lauger, 25c for a hair cut. 360 yen to the dollar. We were paid in military certificates. Had to change our money on the base. No uniforms off the base. I still have black and white photos of bridge at apple blossom time. GO SEE THE KINATI BRIDGE.
I was there around 1973 lived in Quonset Huts and I enjoyed Japan for the most part but we bounced around a lot
There were still a couple left in '93 but used as storage or the "seven day store"
I lived there 2000-2003. Miss it so much
I was there from May '01 to August '02. I wish I had gotten out more than I did.
Wow. I was stationed there 1979-1980. Used to be pretty rustic. Lived in Block 8 on mainside, and in the old metal quonset huts on wingside. Nothing is the same on the base. 40 years has passed since then... *sigh*
LOL Block 8, I remember when the new "hotel" opened and we had to move and we wrecked the floors dragging our lockers. And then I rotated 2 weeks later.
A few huts were still in 1994. They were used as storage or stores.
Wow, like the old saying goes….. what a difference a few years makes!!! I was stationed on the air station in 1977-78 and I had plenty to do but to see it in 2024 is unbelievable!!! I was a newly married Marine and I wasn’t able to get my Marine wife stationed with me so our first year married was spent apart (47 years later and we are still together.).
Nice video. I lived on MCAS Iwakuni from Nov. 1977 to Nov. 1980. Needless to say, the base looked very different then.
Tomadachi E Club Gym was dump on Wing-side Stayed In Q Huts in 80 for a couple months until the open Squad-bays Remember the 2nf floor recording studio where we copied music from copied music from copied music?
CLC-36 From 2005-2006. There is a story of me getting orders to Iwakuni by luck. I originally had orders to Okinawa. Im so proud to have served in the Marine Corps best kept secret. After that I served multiple tours in Iraq, but ill never forget my blessed days in Iwakuni. I still talk to the many brother I served with on Iwakuni.
Was stationed there back in 1987-89 meet my wife there it was one of my favorite duty station I ever lived at. Some day I will ga back & maybe live out the rest of my time there.
I love, wish I was back there. A wonderful 13 months.
Wow! What a change in the base since I left there as a kid in 1966. I didn’t think the base was still in existence. My, has it grown.
I was there in 1989 with VMFA-314 Seat Shop. Good times. I miss the SOBA truck and my good friend Jack Collina.
That place has changed so much the last 20 years or so. I was there from 96-98
Glad to hear that. I was South Korean air-force man and worked several weeks each year with 1st MAW 12MAG VMFA that deployed for excises to Yechon airbase in South Korea from 95 to 97. The call signs were Red devil, Viking, Lancer. It was my pleasure to work with well trained USMC soldiers.
I was stationed there all of 2008.....looks a slight more modern....good times
Its changed so much since i've been there
Nice fitness options, a far cry from the old rusted free weights and universal machines in Quonset Huts.
Miss that place 90-95 wow has it changed
Was there most of 1971, nothing recognizable from then!
I'm hoping to get a DoD contract job there. The bridge is still there.
Was there before. Miss that place and so nice people there
I wouldn't hesitate to go back!
Was there in 78, I miss the soba truck.
Hello, yes I remember that truck coming to our barracks & everyone running out to get the food from him. Was there back in 1987-89
Wow!! Have fun Bautista. 🤘♥️
Was stationed there twice, 73 and 77.
😍🌌🦸🏻♀️🦹🏻♀️🔥🎥🪐 Such an important place ❣️
Station there "Feb-1980 to Feb-1981" H&MS-15
My tour was 1975-76. It wasn't bad duty then, but it was nothing at all like this. This looks like paradise. Thats okay though. We need to treat Marines right.
You were there for some of the same time I was. I was there from 75-78. I didn't recognize a single thing in this video well, other than the Kintai bridge and the castle. It was my favorite station, not because of the base because it was pretty run down but the location. My wife and I traveled all around and enjoyed the food and culture of the Japanese immensely. Semper Fi.
Great duty station!
Are the jiu jitsu classes still open with covid?
I was there for 13 Months 1981-1982 .. I Hated it !! M.A.B.S-12 Iwakni Japan , Couldnt wait to gt back state side I had a better time in Okinawa ..
It is interesting how all our experiences are unique. I was in Iwakuni from 75 - 78 and loved it, although the base was run down, I enjoyed Iwakuni and surrounding cities/towns. I longed to go back there my entire 22 year career. I was then stationed in Okinawa 88 - 89 and mostly hated every minute of it. I still enjoyed the local food but for me it was the pits.
Was there in 93
Jds was so good
**Cries in Okinawa**
F