MCAS FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan— Marines are served cake after the 242-mile Birthday Run on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. - MCAS FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan— Marines are served cake after the 242-mile Birthday Run on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The run was held in honor of the Marine Corps’ 242nd Birthday. Regardless of where they are this time of year, Marines everywhere pause to observe their birthday by sharing a cake and a festive meal. A sword is used to cut the cake as a reminder that Marines are a band of warriors, dedicated to carrying the sword so that our nation may live in peace and freedom.

Marines and Yokohama DeNA BayStars baseball team pose in front of an MV-22B Osprey Feb. 23 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The BayStars players and staff had the opportunity to tour an Osprey and dine at the Habu Pit. “Events like this enhance the already strong community relations MCAS Futenma enjoys with the surrounding City of Ginowan,” said Lt. Col. Bob Sweginnis, the executive officer of MCAS Futenma. “This event in particular allowed those who live and work aboard MCAS Futenma to meet and interact with professional baseball players from a prominent Japanese Big League team that conducts spring training every year in here Ginowan City, just outside the gates of Futenma.” (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jessica Collins) - Marines and Yokohama DeNA BayStars baseball team pose in front of an MV-22B Osprey Feb. 23 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The BayStars players and staff had the opportunity to tour an Osprey and dine at the Habu Pit. “Events like this enhance the already strong community relations MCAS Futenma enjoys with the surrounding City of Ginowan,” said Lt. Col. Bob Sweginnis, the executive officer of MCAS Futenma. “This event in particular allowed those who live and work aboard MCAS Futenma to meet and interact with professional baseball players from a prominent Japanese Big League team that conducts spring training every year in here Ginowan City, just outside the gates of Futenma.” (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jessica Collins)

Kimberly Perry, the lead vocalist of The Band Perry, sings onstage Sept. 24 during the Flight Line Fair at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. MCAS Futenma opened its flight line to Status of Forces Agreement Personnel and Okinawa residents as they enjoyed local vendors, games and a performance by The Band Perry. The Band Perry is an American country group featuring siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry. Perry thanked the audience for their sacrifices overseas and said she felt honored to be able to perform for them. - Kimberly Perry, the lead vocalist of The Band Perry, sings onstage Sept. 24 during the Flight Line Fair at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. MCAS Futenma opened its flight line to Status of Forces Agreement Personnel and Okinawa residents as they enjoyed local vendors, games and a performance by The Band Perry. The Band Perry is an American country group featuring siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry. Perry thanked the audience for their sacrifices overseas and said she felt honored to be able to perform for them.

Okinawa residents wait in line to board and tour an MV-22B Osprey June 6, during the Futenma Flightline Fair on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Along with the Ospreys, the guests were also able to tour and meet the crew members of a KC-130J Super Hercules, an HH-60 Pave hawk, and various other aircraft. According to Col. Peter Lee, the Commanding officer of MCAS Futenma, it’s not only important that the Okinawa residents know about the aircraft on MCAS Futenma, but also the Marines who work on them. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Jean-Paul/Released) - Okinawa residents wait in line to board and tour an MV-22B Osprey June 6, during the Futenma Flightline Fair on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Along with the Ospreys, the guests were also able to tour and meet the crew members of a KC-130J Super Hercules, an HH-60 Pave hawk, and various other aircraft. According to Col. Peter Lee, the Commanding officer of MCAS Futenma, it’s not only important that the Okinawa residents know about the aircraft on MCAS Futenma, but also the Marines who work on them. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Jean-Paul/Released)

Cpl. John T. Riehl, left, hands Lt. Col. John C. Barry a socket wrench so he can put the last bolt in a Humvee March 13 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The final bolt in the Humvee made Marine Air Control Squadron 4 the only unit in the Marine Corps to be at 100% equipment readiness. MACS-4 has over 140 pieces of equipment they must maintain. Riehl is an automotive organizational mechanic with MACS-4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Barry is the commanding officer of MACS-4. - Cpl. John T. Riehl, left, hands Lt. Col. John C. Barry a socket wrench so he can put the last bolt in a Humvee March 13 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The final bolt in the Humvee made Marine Air Control Squadron 4 the only unit in the Marine Corps to be at 100% equipment readiness. MACS-4 has over 140 pieces of equipment they must maintain. Riehl is an automotive organizational mechanic with MACS-4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Barry is the commanding officer of MACS-4.

Marines use water to extinguish a fuel fire at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma during live-burn training Feb. 21. Bulk fuel specialists dispensed fuel into the training pit, and a Marine with Aircraft Rescue Firefighting ignited the fluid. The ARFF and bulk fuel specialist Marines then worked together to contain and extinguish the fire while enhancing communication and teamwork. The Marines are with ARFF, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, as well as Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines use water to extinguish a fuel fire at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma during live-burn training Feb. 21. Bulk fuel specialists dispensed fuel into the training pit, and a Marine with Aircraft Rescue Firefighting ignited the fluid. The ARFF and bulk fuel specialist Marines then worked together to contain and extinguish the fire while enhancing communication and teamwork. The Marines are with ARFF, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, as well as Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Lance Cpl. Ronald Summerlin prepares to reset equipment following the landing of an FA-18D Hornet Jan. 9 during arrested landing safety training on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Arrested landings are the use of equipment, such as a safety barrier or an arresting wire, to rapidly slow down aircraft and ensure the landing path is straight and clear. During the training, Marines demonstrated proficiency in the use of arresting equipment while ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment on the airstrip. Summerlin is a Virginia Beach, Virginia, native and an expeditionary airfield systems technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. - Lance Cpl. Ronald Summerlin prepares to reset equipment following the landing of an FA-18D Hornet Jan. 9 during arrested landing safety training on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Arrested landings are the use of equipment, such as a safety barrier or an arresting wire, to rapidly slow down aircraft and ensure the landing path is straight and clear. During the training, Marines demonstrated proficiency in the use of arresting equipment while ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment on the airstrip. Summerlin is a Virginia Beach, Virginia, native and an expeditionary airfield systems technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan.

Sgt. Michael J. Elgaen, standing left, briefs Marines Sept. 23 prior to their completion of a land navigation course at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves. The participants learned how to use and apply terrain association in conjunction with traditional compass and distance measuring methods to find their assigned points. The Marines are with various units across III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released) - Sgt. Michael J. Elgaen, standing left, briefs Marines Sept. 23 prior to their completion of a land navigation course at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves. The participants learned how to use and apply terrain association in conjunction with traditional compass and distance measuring methods to find their assigned points. The Marines are with various units across III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released)

Staff Sgt. Eduardo R. Guzman, right, defends against a blow from Cpl. Terrance J. Slaughter, left, July 14 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s McCutcheon Gym during a Martial Arts Instructor course. The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program was officially established in 2002, and the principle of hand-to-hand combat in the Marine Corps has existed since the Corps was established. Guzman is a Chicago, Illinois, native and aviation supply specialist with Marine Air Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Slaughter is a Tomball, Texas, native and air support operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st MAW, III MEF. - Staff Sgt. Eduardo R. Guzman, right, defends against a blow from Cpl. Terrance J. Slaughter, left, July 14 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s McCutcheon Gym during a Martial Arts Instructor course. The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program was officially established in 2002, and the principle of hand-to-hand combat in the Marine Corps has existed since the Corps was established. Guzman is a Chicago, Illinois, native and aviation supply specialist with Marine Air Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Slaughter is a Tomball, Texas, native and air support operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st MAW, III MEF.

Commissioned officers and senior enlisted service members with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Staff College listen intently to Marine Capt. Robin D. Brewer, July 16, at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. The Okinawan sailors participated in an extensive question-and-answer-style briefing, followed by a static display of an MV 22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Before going up to the aircraft, Brewer questions the JMSDF attendees had regarding the Osprey and its capabilities. Brewer is a Tallahassee, Florida, native and an Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released) - Commissioned officers and senior enlisted service members with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Staff College listen intently to Marine Capt. Robin D. Brewer, July 16, at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. The Okinawan sailors participated in an extensive question-and-answer-style briefing, followed by a static display of an MV 22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Before going up to the aircraft, Brewer questions the JMSDF attendees had regarding the Osprey and its capabilities. Brewer is a Tallahassee, Florida, native and an Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released)