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.

Maj. Gen. Charles L. Hudson, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan, signs the 2015 proclamation for Military Saves Month Jan. 23 at building 1, Camp Foster, Okinawa. The proclamation encourages service members island-wide to develop responsible money management habits. Throughout the month, service members are given opportunities to learn about saving money, eliminating debt and taking part in programs like the Thrift Savings Program and the Savings Deposit Program. - Maj. Gen. Charles L. Hudson, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan, signs the 2015 proclamation for Military Saves Month Jan. 23 at building 1, Camp Foster, Okinawa. The proclamation encourages service members island-wide to develop responsible money management habits. Throughout the month, service members are given opportunities to learn about saving money, eliminating debt and taking part in programs like the Thrift Savings Program and the Savings Deposit Program.

Kin Town residents leave the bases exchange Jan. 17 during Camp Hansen’s Friendship Saturday. Friendship Saturday is an event where community members are allowed on the base, unescorted but with passes, and enjoy some of the facilities on the camp. They visited various facilities including the Exchange, The Palms and bowling alley. Free balloons were handed out for children to enjoy during the event. - Kin Town residents leave the bases exchange Jan. 17 during Camp Hansen’s Friendship Saturday. Friendship Saturday is an event where community members are allowed on the base, unescorted but with passes, and enjoy some of the facilities on the camp. They visited various facilities including the Exchange, The Palms and bowling alley. Free balloons were handed out for children to enjoy during the event.

Shosuke Kokuba, right, swings as Cpl. Eric D. Chrivia catches during a friendly softball game between the Henoko Young Men’s Association and U.S. Marines Jan. 25 on Camp Schwab. The Young Men’s Association played the Marines in a nine-inning game. Kokuba, from Henoko, Okinawa, is a member of the Henoko Young Men’s Association. Chrivia, from Hale, Michigan, is a mortarman with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. - Shosuke Kokuba, right, swings as Cpl. Eric D. Chrivia catches during a friendly softball game between the Henoko Young Men’s Association and U.S. Marines Jan. 25 on Camp Schwab. The Young Men’s Association played the Marines in a nine-inning game. Kokuba, from Henoko, Okinawa, is a member of the Henoko Young Men’s Association. Chrivia, from Hale, Michigan, is a mortarman with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

Cpl. Joseph Dutton, from Brookline, Vermont, pry nails loose in the wooden flooring in an old military housing facility Jan. 9 during exercise Lava Viper 15-1.2 at Kawaihae Harbor, Hawaii. Dutton is removing the nails to remove and replace the floor. The housing facility is used by various military branches as a safe house while waiting for ships to arrive with vehicles and supplies. MWSS-472 has been tasked to refurbish the facility because the building is deteriorating Dutton is a combat engineer with MWSS-472, Marine Air Group 47, 4th Marine Air Wing. - Cpl. Joseph Dutton, from Brookline, Vermont, pry nails loose in the wooden flooring in an old military housing facility Jan. 9 during exercise Lava Viper 15-1.2 at Kawaihae Harbor, Hawaii. Dutton is removing the nails to remove and replace the floor. The housing facility is used by various military branches as a safe house while waiting for ships to arrive with vehicles and supplies. MWSS-472 has been tasked to refurbish the facility because the building is deteriorating Dutton is a combat engineer with MWSS-472, Marine Air Group 47, 4th Marine Air Wing.

Service members and local nationals watch Colbie Caillat perform at the 21st Annual Camp Courtney Christmas and Holiday Festival hosted by Marine Corps Community Services Dec. 7 at Camp Courtney. The festival incorporated a variety of games, carnival rides and food. There were performances by popular artists such as Montgomery and Colbie Caillat, local musicians such as the Ninu-fa Daiko and Ti-da Daiko, two performers dressed as lion mascots, and “ouka” – taiko drum performers. The event was open to the public and all service members, fostering an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the holidays. - Service members and local nationals watch Colbie Caillat perform at the 21st Annual Camp Courtney Christmas and Holiday Festival hosted by Marine Corps Community Services Dec. 7 at Camp Courtney. The festival incorporated a variety of games, carnival rides and food. There were performances by popular artists such as Montgomery and Colbie Caillat, local musicians such as the Ninu-fa Daiko and Ti-da Daiko, two performers dressed as lion mascots, and “ouka” – taiko drum performers. The event was open to the public and all service members, fostering an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the holidays.

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.

Marines provide security as others board an MV22B Osprey Jan. 10 on Camp Courtney in Okinawa, Japan. The Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force took part in a night raid as the first of three situational training events that make up the Realistic Urban Training Exercise. Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF designed the training to test the MRF’s ability to respond to any contingency or crisis in the United States Pacific Command’s area of responsibility. - Marines provide security as others board an MV22B Osprey Jan. 10 on Camp Courtney in Okinawa, Japan. The Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force took part in a night raid as the first of three situational training events that make up the Realistic Urban Training Exercise. Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF designed the training to test the MRF’s ability to respond to any contingency or crisis in the United States Pacific Command’s area of responsibility.

Motor transport Marines go through inventory Jan. 6 on Camp Kinser as part of routine maintenance. “Our maintenance readiness directly affects the ability to fight tonight,” said Lt. Natasha J. Holm, the maintenance management officer with Headquarters Regiment, from Zumbrota, Minnesota. Marines pictured are with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Motor transport Marines go through inventory Jan. 6 on Camp Kinser as part of routine maintenance. “Our maintenance readiness directly affects the ability to fight tonight,” said Lt. Natasha J. Holm, the maintenance management officer with Headquarters Regiment, from Zumbrota, Minnesota. Marines pictured are with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.