A squad receives instruction on assembling the PRC-117 radio during the battalion super-squad competition Jan. 23 at Range 15 on Camp Hansen. Camp Hansen’s afternoon events consisted of a two-mile hike, an Intermediate Combat Rifle Marksmanship live-fire, a memory exercise, and assembly of a radio to transmit a medical evacuation request. The Marines are legal service specialists representing H&S Bn., Legal Services section. - A squad receives instruction on assembling the PRC-117 radio during the battalion super-squad competition Jan. 23 at Range 15 on Camp Hansen. Camp Hansen’s afternoon events consisted of a two-mile hike, an Intermediate Combat Rifle Marksmanship live-fire, a memory exercise, and assembly of a radio to transmit a medical evacuation request. The Marines are legal service specialists representing H&S Bn., Legal Services section.

The crew of an assault amphibious vehicle peers out of its hatches awaiting clearance to traverse a demolished tank berm Jan. 21 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. “Over the past decade, we haven’t had to use these core skills,” said Capt. Timothy G. Ernst. “This training event is designed to hone and sharpen our capabilities outlined in the deliberate defense and breaching operations doctrine.” Ernst is the commanding officer of Combat Engineer Co., Combat Assault Bn., 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. The AAV is with Assault Amphibious Vehicle Co., CAB. - The crew of an assault amphibious vehicle peers out of its hatches awaiting clearance to traverse a demolished tank berm Jan. 21 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. “Over the past decade, we haven’t had to use these core skills,” said Capt. Timothy G. Ernst. “This training event is designed to hone and sharpen our capabilities outlined in the deliberate defense and breaching operations doctrine.” Ernst is the commanding officer of Combat Engineer Co., Combat Assault Bn., 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. The AAV is with Assault Amphibious Vehicle Co., CAB.

Masked wrestlers of Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling duel it out during Nago’s 52nd annual Cherry Blossom Festival Jan. 25. There were multiple vendors serving food, as well as performances by various artists, including dancers, masked wrestlers and fire breathers. The city of Nago hosts one of the first cherry blossom festivals in Japan, giving the festival its slogan, “Japan’s spring starts here.” - Masked wrestlers of Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling duel it out during Nago’s 52nd annual Cherry Blossom Festival Jan. 25. There were multiple vendors serving food, as well as performances by various artists, including dancers, masked wrestlers and fire breathers. The city of Nago hosts one of the first cherry blossom festivals in Japan, giving the festival its slogan, “Japan’s spring starts here.”

Marines fire an M777A2 150 mm lightweight howitzer Jan. 22 during Artillery Relocation Training Program 13-4 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area. During their three days of live-fire training, the Marines honed their artillery expertise. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - Marines fire an M777A2 150 mm lightweight howitzer Jan. 22 during Artillery Relocation Training Program 13-4 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area. During their three days of live-fire training, the Marines honed their artillery expertise. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Navy Lt. Kevan Q. Lim walks down the stone stairway to the outer courtyard of Shuri Castle Jan. 24 in Naha City. Marines and sailors with Combat Logistic Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, visited Shuri Castle as part of a historical education event. Lim is the chaplain of CLR-37. Photo by Lance Cpl. Diamond N. Peden - Navy Lt. Kevan Q. Lim walks down the stone stairway to the outer courtyard of Shuri Castle Jan. 24 in Naha City. Marines and sailors with Combat Logistic Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, visited Shuri Castle as part of a historical education event. Lim is the chaplain of CLR-37. Photo by Lance Cpl. Diamond N. Peden

Marines verify their checkpoints Jan. 24 at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves, during a land navigation portion of a Jungle Communications Course. The course, which began Jan. 23, covers operation of communications equipment in jungle environments, as well as basic combat techniques. The Marines are with various units within III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders - Marines verify their checkpoints Jan. 24 at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves, during a land navigation portion of a Jungle Communications Course. The course, which began Jan. 23, covers operation of communications equipment in jungle environments, as well as basic combat techniques. The Marines are with various units within III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders

Gunnery Sgt. Matthew C. Luckey provides cover while Republic of Korea Marines radio for assistance prior to a raid in an area where simulated enemy activity was spotted Jan. 22 during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-3 at the Mountain Warfare Training Camp in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. As part of KMEP, the Marines cross-trained in a multitude of cold-weather skills and missions such as skiing, assaults, patrols and raids. The raid is part of the training evolutions leading up to a 400-kilometer hike. Luckey is a platoon sergeant with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The ROK Marines are with the 1st ROK Special Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Division. Photo by Lance Cpl. Matt Myers - Gunnery Sgt. Matthew C. Luckey provides cover while Republic of Korea Marines radio for assistance prior to a raid in an area where simulated enemy activity was spotted Jan. 22 during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-3 at the Mountain Warfare Training Camp in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. As part of KMEP, the Marines cross-trained in a multitude of cold-weather skills and missions such as skiing, assaults, patrols and raids. The raid is part of the training evolutions leading up to a 400-kilometer hike. Luckey is a platoon sergeant with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The ROK Marines are with the 1st ROK Special Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Division. Photo by Lance Cpl. Matt Myers

Cpl. Peter E. Kober, left, and Sgt. Scott A. Hulsizer carry their diver propulsion device into the water to begin their dive Jan. 22, during a certification course at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The DPD is a battery-powered vehicle capable of carrying two divers and their equipment while submersed out of sight. The course was a part of Exercise Sandfisher 2014. Kober and Hulsizer are reconnaissance men with Company B, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Cpl. Brandon Suhr - Cpl. Peter E. Kober, left, and Sgt. Scott A. Hulsizer carry their diver propulsion device into the water to begin their dive Jan. 22, during a certification course at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The DPD is a battery-powered vehicle capable of carrying two divers and their equipment while submersed out of sight. The course was a part of Exercise Sandfisher 2014. Kober and Hulsizer are reconnaissance men with Company B, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Cpl. Brandon Suhr

Top enlisted soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines swing kettle bells during a combat fitness course as part of the Japan Observer Exchange Program Jan. 23 on Camp Hansen. The JOEP is part of a larger effort to strengthen and enhance joint efforts between the U.S. and Japan. The JGSDF soldiers are with various units throughout the JGSDF, and the Marines are with the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Okinawa. Photo by Cpl. Lena Wakayama - Top enlisted soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines swing kettle bells during a combat fitness course as part of the Japan Observer Exchange Program Jan. 23 on Camp Hansen. The JOEP is part of a larger effort to strengthen and enhance joint efforts between the U.S. and Japan. The JGSDF soldiers are with various units throughout the JGSDF, and the Marines are with the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Okinawa. Photo by Cpl. Lena Wakayama