A Marine with the Provost Marshal’s Office on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, places handcuffs on an Uruma City Police officer posing as an on-base intruder, June 11, during bilateral training between service members and the UCPD. The event ensured Marines with Camp Guard and the Provost Marshal’s Office are proficient in communicating with the UCPD to mitigate threats involving service members and Okinawa residents. During the training event, Camp Guard Marines patrolling the base perimeter apprehended a simulated armed intruder. PMO Marines received a notification over a radio signal and responded to rehearse turnover procedures of the intruder and escort him to the proper detainment authorities. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/ Released) - A Marine with the Provost Marshal’s Office on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, places handcuffs on an Uruma City Police officer posing as an on-base intruder, June 11, during bilateral training between service members and the UCPD. The event ensured Marines with Camp Guard and the Provost Marshal’s Office are proficient in communicating with the UCPD to mitigate threats involving service members and Okinawa residents. During the training event, Camp Guard Marines patrolling the base perimeter apprehended a simulated armed intruder. PMO Marines received a notification over a radio signal and responded to rehearse turnover procedures of the intruder and escort him to the proper detainment authorities. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/ Released)

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Nicholas Davis, left, presents Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Hiroji Yamashita with a plaque Dec. 12 during the closing ceremony for Forest Light 15-1 at Camp Kita Kumamoto in Kumamoto, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. Davis is the commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Yamashita is the commanding officer of the 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, JGSDF. - U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Nicholas Davis, left, presents Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Hiroji Yamashita with a plaque Dec. 12 during the closing ceremony for Forest Light 15-1 at Camp Kita Kumamoto in Kumamoto, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. Davis is the commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Yamashita is the commanding officer of the 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, JGSDF.

U.S. Marines lead a foot patrol Dec. 9 during Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - U.S. Marines lead a foot patrol Dec. 9 during Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Ryan T. Watson, right, receives a bouquet of flowers from a student Dec. 5 at Chinzei High School in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Marines participating in Forest Light 15-1 took a day off from training to visit local high schools to exchange culture lessons with the student. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements, and improve individual and unit-level skills in a bilateral training environment. Watson, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an infantry unit leader with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Ryan T. Watson, right, receives a bouquet of flowers from a student Dec. 5 at Chinzei High School in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Marines participating in Forest Light 15-1 took a day off from training to visit local high schools to exchange culture lessons with the student. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements, and improve individual and unit-level skills in a bilateral training environment. Watson, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an infantry unit leader with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jonas G. Dewald, right, instructs a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member during sniper stalk lane training Dec. 2 in the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. The training is part of Forest Light 15-1, a semi-annual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and field training events conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. Dewald, from Wilson, North Carolina, is a machine gunner with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, under the unit deployment program. The JGSDF member is with 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, JGSDF. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jonas G. Dewald, right, instructs a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member during sniper stalk lane training Dec. 2 in the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. The training is part of Forest Light 15-1, a semi-annual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and field training events conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. Dewald, from Wilson, North Carolina, is a machine gunner with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, under the unit deployment program. The JGSDF member is with 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, JGSDF.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Hiroji Yamashita, left, and U.S. Marine Maj. Roy M. Draa salute their troops Dec. 1 during the opening ceremony for Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a semi-annual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and field training event conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF. Yamashita is the commanding officer with 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, JGSDF. Draa, from Baltimore, Maryland, is the executive officer with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, under the unit deployment program. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Hiroji Yamashita, left, and U.S. Marine Maj. Roy M. Draa salute their troops Dec. 1 during the opening ceremony for Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a semi-annual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and field training event conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF. Yamashita is the commanding officer with 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, JGSDF. Draa, from Baltimore, Maryland, is the executive officer with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, under the unit deployment program.

Col. Preston W. Jones, from Harrisonburg, Virginia, gives opening remarks during the III Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise and Training Convention Nov. 25 at Camp Hansen. Jones spoke to the Marines about the intent of the convention and things they can expect to learn while there. The convention was set-up much like a job fair, in which Marines walked around from table to table and learned about training capabilities and limitations, points of contact, upcoming exercise plans, and training opportunities across the Marine Air Ground Task Force. Jones is the training and exercises commanding officer for III MEF. The Marines are with various units throughout III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Cedric R. Haller II/Released) - Col. Preston W. Jones, from Harrisonburg, Virginia, gives opening remarks during the III Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise and Training Convention Nov. 25 at Camp Hansen. Jones spoke to the Marines about the intent of the convention and things they can expect to learn while there. The convention was set-up much like a job fair, in which Marines walked around from table to table and learned about training capabilities and limitations, points of contact, upcoming exercise plans, and training opportunities across the Marine Air Ground Task Force. Jones is the training and exercises commanding officer for III MEF. The Marines are with various units throughout III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Cedric R. Haller II/Released)

U.S. Marine Sgt. Jesse B. Boydston, left, takes a moment to relax with Philippine Marines during a training event May 12, 2014 as part of Balikatan 2014. The training was part of the culminating event between the logistics combat element of U.S. Marine Forces Balikatan and the Philippine Marines. Balikatan is an annual training exercise that strengthens the interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military and their commitment to regional security and stability, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Boydston is wrecker chief of 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Philippine Marines are with Motor Transport and Maintenance Battalion, Combat Service Support Brigade, Philippine Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman/Released) - U.S. Marine Sgt. Jesse B. Boydston, left, takes a moment to relax with Philippine Marines during a training event May 12, 2014 as part of Balikatan 2014. The training was part of the culminating event between the logistics combat element of U.S. Marine Forces Balikatan and the Philippine Marines. Balikatan is an annual training exercise that strengthens the interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military and their commitment to regional security and stability, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Boydston is wrecker chief of 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Philippine Marines are with Motor Transport and Maintenance Battalion, Combat Service Support Brigade, Philippine Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman/Released)

Marines with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, participate in the closing ceremony for Exercise Forest Light 14-2 March 8 at Sekiyama Training Area, Niigata prefecture, Japan. Forest Light was a two-week long exercise in which Marines and JGSDF members trained together, improving interoperability in cold-weather environments. Marines and JGSDF members trained in tactical movements and cold-weather survival skills in the snow. 3rd Bn., 1st Marines, is currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - Marines with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, participate in the closing ceremony for Exercise Forest Light 14-2 March 8 at Sekiyama Training Area, Niigata prefecture, Japan. Forest Light was a two-week long exercise in which Marines and JGSDF members trained together, improving interoperability in cold-weather environments. Marines and JGSDF members trained in tactical movements and cold-weather survival skills in the snow. 3rd Bn., 1st Marines, is currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Bradford Tippett, right, delivers remarks to Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and service members with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, alongside JGSDF Col. Tatsuya Osaki during the opening ceremony of Exercise Forest Light 14-2 Feb. 25 at Sekiyama Training Area, Niigata prefecture, Japan. Tippett spoke to the group about the positive effects of bilateral training. “When (bilateral training) happens, both sides walk away better than when they started,” said Tippett. Forest Light improved the allies’ cold-weather survival skills. Tippett is the commanding officer of 3rd Bn., 1st Marines, currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Osaki is the commanding officer of 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Eastern Army. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman Jr. /Released) - U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Bradford Tippett, right, delivers remarks to Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and service members with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, alongside JGSDF Col. Tatsuya Osaki during the opening ceremony of Exercise Forest Light 14-2 Feb. 25 at Sekiyama Training Area, Niigata prefecture, Japan. Tippett spoke to the group about the positive effects of bilateral training. “When (bilateral training) happens, both sides walk away better than when they started,” said Tippett. Forest Light improved the allies’ cold-weather survival skills. Tippett is the commanding officer of 3rd Bn., 1st Marines, currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Osaki is the commanding officer of 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Eastern Army. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman Jr. /Released)