Pfc. Blamo Barlue poses for a picture at the Camp Courtney Post Office - CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA, Japan— Pfc. Blamo Barlue poses for a picture at the Camp Courtney Post Office Sept. 22 aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. In 2003, Barlue was deathly ill with Measles at refugee camp off of the Ivory Coast of West Africa, when the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps came on a humanitarian mission and saved his life with a vaccine. Because of their actions, Barlue enlisted in the Marine Corps and is determined to give back and leave an impact where ever he goes. Barlue works endlessly to better himself physically, mentally and spiritually. He is a postal clerk with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. (U.S. Marine Photo by Lance Cpl. Tayler P. Schwamb)

An explosive ordnance disposal truck stands on a range during standoff munitions disruption training July 28 aboard Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. The training ensured explosive ordnance disposal technicians were proficient in the safe long-distance detonation of explosives, using the SASR-M107 sniper rifle. During the training, the EOD technicians were coached in marksmanship by reconnaissance Marines. The EOD technicians are with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan and Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The reconnaissance Marines are with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. - An explosive ordnance disposal truck stands on a range during standoff munitions disruption training July 28 aboard Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. The training ensured explosive ordnance disposal technicians were proficient in the safe long-distance detonation of explosives, using the SASR-M107 sniper rifle. During the training, the EOD technicians were coached in marksmanship by reconnaissance Marines. The EOD technicians are with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan and Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The reconnaissance Marines are with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF.

Competitors in the Futenma Mess Hall Chef of the Month competition pose for photos with the senior enlisted judges after receiving awards for their performance July 22 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The monthly competition is an opportunity for the Marines who are performing well in the workplace and seeking opportunities to better themselves through merit boards and other events. During the competition, the contestants must plan a full multi-course meal, cook the dishes and serve it to a panel of judges who evaluate their meal based on taste, appearance, originality and the Marines’ oral presentations explaining each course. - Competitors in the Futenma Mess Hall Chef of the Month competition pose for photos with the senior enlisted judges after receiving awards for their performance July 22 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The monthly competition is an opportunity for the Marines who are performing well in the workplace and seeking opportunities to better themselves through merit boards and other events. During the competition, the contestants must plan a full multi-course meal, cook the dishes and serve it to a panel of judges who evaluate their meal based on taste, appearance, originality and the Marines’ oral presentations explaining each course.

U.S. Marines stand to honor the fallen during the 2016 Okinawa Memorial services June 23 at Peace Memorial Park, Itoman, Japan. The ceremony brought Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement members together to honor those whose lives were lost in the Battle of Okinawa. During the ceremony, distinguished guest speakers gave speeches to honor the fallen in the Battle of Okinawa and laid wreaths at the memorial walls, on which the names of the fallen were engraved. Attendees, in turn, took a moment of silence and paid tribute to the fallen heroes. - U.S. Marines stand to honor the fallen during the 2016 Okinawa Memorial services June 23 at Peace Memorial Park, Itoman, Japan. The ceremony brought Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement members together to honor those whose lives were lost in the Battle of Okinawa. During the ceremony, distinguished guest speakers gave speeches to honor the fallen in the Battle of Okinawa and laid wreaths at the memorial walls, on which the names of the fallen were engraved. Attendees, in turn, took a moment of silence and paid tribute to the fallen heroes.

CAMP MCTUREOUS, OKINAWA, Japan – Staff Sgt. Paul I. Mead answers students’ questions about explosive ordnance disposal May 2 after a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Week EOD demonstration at Bechtel Elementary School on Camp McTureous, Okinawa, Japan. STEM Week fosters students’ career exploration and everyday observation of how science, technology, engineering and mathematics can be applied in everyday life as well as in future careers paths. During the EOD demonstration, Marines showed the students how they use robots and protective equipment. After the presentation students donned the protective equipment and underwent physical fitness challenges. Mead is an EOD technician with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, and a Heavener, Oklahoma, native. - CAMP MCTUREOUS, OKINAWA, Japan – Staff Sgt. Paul I. Mead answers students’ questions about explosive ordnance disposal May 2 after a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Week EOD demonstration at Bechtel Elementary School on Camp McTureous, Okinawa, Japan. STEM Week fosters students’ career exploration and everyday observation of how science, technology, engineering and mathematics can be applied in everyday life as well as in future careers paths. During the EOD demonstration, Marines showed the students how they use robots and protective equipment. After the presentation students donned the protective equipment and underwent physical fitness challenges. Mead is an EOD technician with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, and a Heavener, Oklahoma, native.

Seaman Miguelanto S. Lugtu demonstrates how to splint a broken arm on a member of Girl Scout Troop 435 during a Jane Wayne Day March 12 aboard Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan. Jane Wayne Day is an event designed to allow spouses and children to gain a better understanding of some of the physical challenges military service members face. During the event, participants learned about radios, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, ran a modified combat fitness test, perused medical equipment and donned chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense equipment. The troop took on the many challenges of the day as a celebration of the Girl Scout Birthday. Lugtu is a corpsman with Headquarters Regiment, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force and a Portsmouth, Virginia, native. - Seaman Miguelanto S. Lugtu demonstrates how to splint a broken arm on a member of Girl Scout Troop 435 during a Jane Wayne Day March 12 aboard Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan. Jane Wayne Day is an event designed to allow spouses and children to gain a better understanding of some of the physical challenges military service members face. During the event, participants learned about radios, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, ran a modified combat fitness test, perused medical equipment and donned chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense equipment. The troop took on the many challenges of the day as a celebration of the Girl Scout Birthday. Lugtu is a corpsman with Headquarters Regiment, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force and a Portsmouth, Virginia, native.

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael G. Dana, left, discusses future renovation plans for base housing with Air Force Col. Dwayne Robison Nov. 5 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The visit allowed Dana to observe the strategic resources and high readiness of Marine Corps Installations Pacific camps and facilities in daily support of operations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. It also drew attention to the importance of financial and manpower resources within MCIPAC. Dana is the deputy commandant for installations and logistics. Robison is the commanding officer of the 18th Civil Engineer Group, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base. - Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael G. Dana, left, discusses future renovation plans for base housing with Air Force Col. Dwayne Robison Nov. 5 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The visit allowed Dana to observe the strategic resources and high readiness of Marine Corps Installations Pacific camps and facilities in daily support of operations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. It also drew attention to the importance of financial and manpower resources within MCIPAC. Dana is the deputy commandant for installations and logistics. Robison is the commanding officer of the 18th Civil Engineer Group, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base.

Monica Poulsen gives the introduction to the play, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Oct. 23 at the Headquarters and Support Battalion building aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The play was performed by the Pacific Okinawa Players, Oct. 15-17 and 22-24. POPs is a community theater group that performs multiple productions throughout the year. The group is comprised of volunteers of all ages under the Status of Forces agreement and directs ticket sales and donations toward the costs of productions as well as scholarship funds for students pursuing performing arts. POPs performed the play Oct. 15-17 and 22-24. Membership information as well as future performance dates are available at www.pacificokinawaplayers.org. Poulsen is a membership secretary with POPs and a Cobleskill, New York, native. - Monica Poulsen gives the introduction to the play, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Oct. 23 at the Headquarters and Support Battalion building aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The play was performed by the Pacific Okinawa Players, Oct. 15-17 and 22-24. POPs is a community theater group that performs multiple productions throughout the year. The group is comprised of volunteers of all ages under the Status of Forces agreement and directs ticket sales and donations toward the costs of productions as well as scholarship funds for students pursuing performing arts. POPs performed the play Oct. 15-17 and 22-24. Membership information as well as future performance dates are available at www.pacificokinawaplayers.org. Poulsen is a membership secretary with POPs and a Cobleskill, New York, native.

A poem about the sights and scenery at Cape Zampa is illuminated during a Marine Corps Community Services Tours Plus Spooky Sites Tour Oct. 22 in Yomitan Village, Okinawa, Japan. During the tour, families under the Status of Forces Agreement rode a bus to several historically haunted locations on Okinawa and listened to the legends and stories behind them. More than 30 guests attended the tour, which has been held multiple times annually for the past 10 years. The Spooky Sites Tours are scheduled to continue until Nov. 1. - A poem about the sights and scenery at Cape Zampa is illuminated during a Marine Corps Community Services Tours Plus Spooky Sites Tour Oct. 22 in Yomitan Village, Okinawa, Japan. During the tour, families under the Status of Forces Agreement rode a bus to several historically haunted locations on Okinawa and listened to the legends and stories behind them. More than 30 guests attended the tour, which has been held multiple times annually for the past 10 years. The Spooky Sites Tours are scheduled to continue until Nov. 1.

A service member dressed as a clown peers through the smoke in the Futenma Haunted Labyrinth during the VIP opening of the Futenma Haunted Labyrinth Oct. 9 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The Futenma Haunted Labyrinth is a fundraiser for the Single Marine Program held annually for the past four years. Approximately 200 Okinawa residents and service members navigated the labyrinth and enjoyed a dinner buffet at the Habu Pit. Volunteers in the labyrinth lined hallways and took parts in various scenes throughout the building to provide guests with a fun and frightful experience. The labyrinth is scheduled to open its doors to the public Oct. 23, 24, 29, and 30. - A service member dressed as a clown peers through the smoke in the Futenma Haunted Labyrinth during the VIP opening of the Futenma Haunted Labyrinth Oct. 9 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The Futenma Haunted Labyrinth is a fundraiser for the Single Marine Program held annually for the past four years. Approximately 200 Okinawa residents and service members navigated the labyrinth and enjoyed a dinner buffet at the Habu Pit. Volunteers in the labyrinth lined hallways and took parts in various scenes throughout the building to provide guests with a fun and frightful experience. The labyrinth is scheduled to open its doors to the public Oct. 23, 24, 29, and 30.