MWSS-171 conquers Mount Fuji, holds mess night

Photo By Sgt. Aaron Henson | U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, hiked up Mount Fuji, Japan, as part of a unit activity July 31, 2016. Marines within the squadron first conquered Mount Fuji with a 3,776 meter climb to the peak. Marines bought ‘Kongo-Tsue’ walking sticks and had stamps burned onto them, which signified the location and altitude throughout 10 stations located up the trail. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)  

COMBINED ARMS TRAINING CENTER CAMP FUJI, SHIZUOKA, JAPAN

08.04.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, conducted team building activities to finish off exercise Eagle Wrath 2016 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Aug. 1, 2016.

The purpose of conducting unit activities was to build unit cohesion, relieve stress and give the Marines a sense of closure after a month in the field.

Marines within the squadron first conquered Mount Fuji with a 3,776 meter climb to the peak. Marines bought ‘Kongo-Tsue’ walking sticks and had stamps burned onto them, which signified the location and altitude throughout 10 stations located up the trail.

“The hike was something we did as a unit in which it wasn’t only for the Marines to have a memory to go back with or even to say ‘I climbed Japan’s tallest mountain,’ but to push the Marines’ limits and show they are capable of much greater things,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Moises Salgado, Headquarters and Service Company, air base ground defense with MWSS-171.

The squadron then held a mess night where Marines were brought together and built unit camaraderie. Mess night is also meant to reminisce Marine Corps traditions and remember those who gave their lives to allow Marines to continue their traditions.

Some of the traditions showcased throughout the night were the tasting of the beef, which is to ensure the food is fit for consumption, toasting the fallen, and fining Marines that broke the rules of the mess such as speaking out of turn or not addressing the president of the mess properly. Violators were punished through drinks from the grog or various forms of entertainment.

“Mess night brings Marines together and is a place where we can share stories and our history,” said Salgado.

Holding events like these provide Marines with a sense of closure after a month of hard work during the exercise.

“Everyone had fun and it was a time to bring Marines closer as brothers and sisters,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Bryant Farris, bulk fuels specialist with MWSS-171. “These events allowed us to kick-back and relax a little bit after working hard throughout the month.”

• Date Taken: 08.04.2016
• Date Posted: 08.04.2016 04:06
• Story ID: 206021
• Location: COMBINED ARMS TRAINING CENTER CAMP FUJI, SHIZUOKA, JP