Hailey J. Day, right, Kaori Miyanishi, center, and Allen Balabis, practice wrapping a simulated wound during a class sponsored by the American Red Cross in the education center April 22 on Camp Foster, Okinawa. The class certified Marines and Master Labor Contractors in adult, child and infant CPR, use of an automated external defibrillator and basic first aid. Day is a financial official with G-6 communications, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. Miyanishi is the community relations specialist with the Okinawa field office, U.S. Forces Japan, Balabis is the regional director of emergency management for MCIPAC. - Hailey J. Day, right, Kaori Miyanishi, center, and Allen Balabis, practice wrapping a simulated wound during a class sponsored by the American Red Cross in the education center April 22 on Camp Foster, Okinawa. The class certified Marines and Master Labor Contractors in adult, child and infant CPR, use of an automated external defibrillator and basic first aid. Day is a financial official with G-6 communications, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. Miyanishi is the community relations specialist with the Okinawa field office, U.S. Forces Japan, Balabis is the regional director of emergency management for MCIPAC.

Nobuhiko Tsuji poses for a photo after leading a groundbreaking ceremony on Camp Foster Jan. 15. Tsuji, a Shinto priest, performed “jichinsai,” a blessing to ask permission from the earth spirit to build new structures. The ceremony also asked for the safety of construction workers as they demolish 45 housing units to construct a new building to replace Zukeran Elementary School on Camp Foster. - Nobuhiko Tsuji poses for a photo after leading a groundbreaking ceremony on Camp Foster Jan. 15. Tsuji, a Shinto priest, performed “jichinsai,” a blessing to ask permission from the earth spirit to build new structures. The ceremony also asked for the safety of construction workers as they demolish 45 housing units to construct a new building to replace Zukeran Elementary School on Camp Foster.

Children build gingerbread houses Dec. 20 during the Spaghetti with Santa event at the Camp Foster Community Center. “Spaghetti with Santa” is an annual event sponsored by Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corp Base Camp Butler, Japan, and provides service members and their families with a fun, friendly place to celebrate Christmas together. The children who attended were given opportunities to participate in holiday crafts and other activities. - Children build gingerbread houses Dec. 20 during the Spaghetti with Santa event at the Camp Foster Community Center. “Spaghetti with Santa” is an annual event sponsored by Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corp Base Camp Butler, Japan, and provides service members and their families with a fun, friendly place to celebrate Christmas together. The children who attended were given opportunities to participate in holiday crafts and other activities.

Christopher D. Majewski, center, talks about the Battle of Okinawa to members of the U.S. Consulate General Naha and local museum curators and employees Dec. 18 at the Camp Kinser Battle of Okinawa Historical Exhibit. Majewski and the consulate organized a tour of the exhibit in an effort to strengthen ties with the historical and cultural institutions of Okinawa. Majewski is the volunteer director of the exhibit. - Christopher D. Majewski, center, talks about the Battle of Okinawa to members of the U.S. Consulate General Naha and local museum curators and employees Dec. 18 at the Camp Kinser Battle of Okinawa Historical Exhibit. Majewski and the consulate organized a tour of the exhibit in an effort to strengthen ties with the historical and cultural institutions of Okinawa. Majewski is the volunteer director of the exhibit.

Participants construct a chart depicting life priorities and means of supporting the people in their lives during the Marine Corps Family Team Building “It’s All About You” workshop Dec. 11 at Camp Foster. The chart was one of the workshop’s activities that helped service members and their family members understand priorities, stressors and challenges in life. During the workshop, participants learned about the origins of daily-life stressors and found healthy and practical ways to handle them. - Participants construct a chart depicting life priorities and means of supporting the people in their lives during the Marine Corps Family Team Building “It’s All About You” workshop Dec. 11 at Camp Foster. The chart was one of the workshop’s activities that helped service members and their family members understand priorities, stressors and challenges in life. During the workshop, participants learned about the origins of daily-life stressors and found healthy and practical ways to handle them.

Staff Sgt. D. DeMarius Jackson performs a saxophone solo for the song “Deck the Halls” Dec. 9 during a III Marine Expeditionary Force band Christmas concert at the Kubasaki High School auditorium on Camp Foster. The concert was filled with a variety of Christmas songs performed by the jazz ensemble of the III MEF band, known as the “Big Band.” The concert was open to Okinawa community members for an opportunity to share in the traditions of the Christmas season. Jackson, a native of Aiken, South Carolina, is a saxophone musician with the III MEF band. - Staff Sgt. D. DeMarius Jackson performs a saxophone solo for the song “Deck the Halls” Dec. 9 during a III Marine Expeditionary Force band Christmas concert at the Kubasaki High School auditorium on Camp Foster. The concert was filled with a variety of Christmas songs performed by the jazz ensemble of the III MEF band, known as the “Big Band.” The concert was open to Okinawa community members for an opportunity to share in the traditions of the Christmas season. Jackson, a native of Aiken, South Carolina, is a saxophone musician with the III MEF band.

Volunteers remove plastic bags and streamers from a fence during a Fence Clean Project on Okinawa, Japan. The Fence Clean Project is an effort initiated by local residents to remove the vandalism of Futenma’s fences that started abruptly to occur in the fall of 2012. - Volunteers remove plastic bags and streamers from a fence during a Fence Clean Project on Okinawa, Japan. The Fence Clean Project is an effort initiated by local residents to remove the vandalism of Futenma’s fences that started abruptly to occur in the fall of 2012.

Ginowan City Board of Education archeologists and members of the Aragusuku Hometown Association observe a limestone mining area Oct. 23 here. During a survey of land being returned to the Government of Japan, possible remnants of an Edo-era village were uncovered. The land return is a part of an effort to continue strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lena Wakayama/Released) - Ginowan City Board of Education archeologists and members of the Aragusuku Hometown Association observe a limestone mining area Oct. 23 here. During a survey of land being returned to the Government of Japan, possible remnants of an Edo-era village were uncovered. The land return is a part of an effort to continue strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Japan.

Chris Daughtry sings one of his hit songs “No Surprise” during a free concert Oct. 25 at the Camp Foster festival grounds. Hosting the concert, Marine Corps Community Services extended the invitation to attend to service members, their families and guests in an effort to boost the morale of the service members. Daughtry is from Lasker, North Carolina, and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Diamond N. Peden/Released) - Chris Daughtry sings one of his hit songs “No Surprise” during a free concert Oct. 25 at the Camp Foster festival grounds. Hosting the concert, Marine Corps Community Services extended the invitation to attend to service members, their families and guests in an effort to boost the morale of the service members. Daughtry is from Lasker, North Carolina, and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Diamond N. Peden/Released)

Airman Cailey M. Givens, left, and Senior Airman Travis L. Pope test the water pressure of the Kishaba Terrace housing water system Sept. 22. By testing the system at all hours of the day, high usage hours are able to be identified. “The leadership understands the problems residents are facing, and is very involved in solving this as quickly as possible,” said Pecina, commanding officer of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, and Camp Foster commander. “Air Force and Marine Corps housing officials, Air Force and Marine Corps water systems engineers, leadership on Camp Foster, and residents have come together to identify and fix these problems as quickly as possible.” Both Givens and Pope are water fuel systems maintenance craftsmen with 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, 18th Civil Engineer Group, 18th Wing. - Airman Cailey M. Givens, left, and Senior Airman Travis L. Pope test the water pressure of the Kishaba Terrace housing water system Sept. 22. By testing the system at all hours of the day, high usage hours are able to be identified. “The leadership understands the problems residents are facing, and is very involved in solving this as quickly as possible,” said Pecina, commanding officer of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, and Camp Foster commander. “Air Force and Marine Corps housing officials, Air Force and Marine Corps water systems engineers, leadership on Camp Foster, and residents have come together to identify and fix these problems as quickly as possible.” Both Givens and Pope are water fuel systems maintenance craftsmen with 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, 18th Civil Engineer Group, 18th Wing.