CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA, Japan— Col. William L. DePue Jr., left, speaks with Hideo Matsuya during the 4th Annual Okinawa Leadership Social Sept. 29 at Tengan Castle aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. - CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA, Japan— Col. William L. DePue Jr., left, speaks with Hideo Matsuya during the 4th Annual Okinawa Leadership Social Sept. 29 at Tengan Castle aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. The social is held annually to strengthen relationships between the local and U.S. leadership present in Okinawa. DePue is the camp commander of Camp Foster. Matsuya is the chairman of the Ginowan City Tourism Association.

An MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft flies to a casualty evacuation drill Nov. 8 during Tomodachi relief exercise 15.2 near Izu Oshima Island, Tokyo Metropolis Prefecture, Japan. TREX 15.2 is an annual, bilateral training exercise that simulates humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in the Asia-Pacific region while forging a stronger U.S. and Japanese alliance. The exercise also included an HADR training mission, an in-flight demonstration for the Japanese Minister of Defense and additional Japanese politicians, and a static display and press conference for the Japanese media. - An MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft flies to a casualty evacuation drill Nov. 8 during Tomodachi relief exercise 15.2 near Izu Oshima Island, Tokyo Metropolis Prefecture, Japan. TREX 15.2 is an annual, bilateral training exercise that simulates humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in the Asia-Pacific region while forging a stronger U.S. and Japanese alliance. The exercise also included an HADR training mission, an in-flight demonstration for the Japanese Minister of Defense and additional Japanese politicians, and a static display and press conference for the Japanese media.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matt Rissinger, second from left, discusses the M4 carbine assault rifle with members of the Japan Self-Defense Force Aug. 5 during their visit to the Provost Marshal’s Office on Camp Foster. Members of the JSDF spent the day touring PMO and training with equipment used by U.S. military policemen. Rissinger is a Lititz, Pennsylvania, native and Special Reaction Team member with PMO, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released) - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matt Rissinger, second from left, discusses the M4 carbine assault rifle with members of the Japan Self-Defense Force Aug. 5 during their visit to the Provost Marshal’s Office on Camp Foster. Members of the JSDF spent the day touring PMO and training with equipment used by U.S. military policemen. Rissinger is a Lititz, Pennsylvania, native and Special Reaction Team member with PMO, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released)

Community members pound rice to create mochi, a glutinous rice cake, May 10 during the Fuji Friendship Festival 2014 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. The U.S.-Japan Fuji Friendship Association hosted the activity. Established nearly 14 years ago, the association coordinates events off base for Marines and sailors assigned to CATC Camp Fuji, like planting rice and the ceremonial hauling of large fish nets at Numazu, Japan, according to Wasaku Tatsumichi, the chief secretary of the association. - Community members pound rice to create mochi, a glutinous rice cake, May 10 during the Fuji Friendship Festival 2014 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. The U.S.-Japan Fuji Friendship Association hosted the activity. Established nearly 14 years ago, the association coordinates events off base for Marines and sailors assigned to CATC Camp Fuji, like planting rice and the ceremonial hauling of large fish nets at Numazu, Japan, according to Wasaku Tatsumichi, the chief secretary of the association.

Tetsuo Takashima, standing, addresses Marine Corps planners and executors of disaster relief operations, as well as Japan Self-Defense Force liaison officers, May 1 on Camp Courtney to enhance disaster relief operations. Takashima is an author and natural and human disaster expert. The U.S. service members are with various units assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Tetsuo Takashima, standing, addresses Marine Corps planners and executors of disaster relief operations, as well as Japan Self-Defense Force liaison officers, May 1 on Camp Courtney to enhance disaster relief operations. Takashima is an author and natural and human disaster expert. The U.S. service members are with various units assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force.