Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines clear a building during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 Feb. 9 at the Cham Sae Mi Close-Quarters Battle Training Facility in Pohang, Republic of Korea. KMEP 15-17 is a regularly-scheduled, bilateral, small-unit training exercise, which enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. The ROK Marines are with Company 5, 32nd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. - Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines clear a building during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 Feb. 9 at the Cham Sae Mi Close-Quarters Battle Training Facility in Pohang, Republic of Korea. KMEP 15-17 is a regularly-scheduled, bilateral, small-unit training exercise, which enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. The ROK Marines are with Company 5, 32nd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

U.S. Marine Pfc. Kris L. Williams, left, picks up trash alongside Republic of Korea Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 Feb. 12 in Pohang, ROK. The Marines were tasked with cleaning sidewalks, alleyways, dried-up riverbeds and other places where trash accumulates in the city. The overarching goal of KMEP is to enhance and improve the interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. Williams, from Columbia, South Carolina, is a field radio operator with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. - U.S. Marine Pfc. Kris L. Williams, left, picks up trash alongside Republic of Korea Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 Feb. 12 in Pohang, ROK. The Marines were tasked with cleaning sidewalks, alleyways, dried-up riverbeds and other places where trash accumulates in the city. The overarching goal of KMEP is to enhance and improve the interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. Williams, from Columbia, South Carolina, is a field radio operator with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division.

Gunnery Sgt. Kevin D. Pirtle (right) and Capt. Jim C. Wang pose for a photo Jan. 8 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercsie 2-15. Pirtle and Wang spend a lot of time working together in Headquarters and Service Company. Pirtle, a Somerville, Tennessee, native, is an infantry unit leader and the company gunnery sergeant, and Wang, a Fayetteville, North Carolina native, is an infantry officer and company commander, both with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Gunnery Sgt. Kevin D. Pirtle (right) and Capt. Jim C. Wang pose for a photo Jan. 8 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercsie 2-15. Pirtle and Wang spend a lot of time working together in Headquarters and Service Company. Pirtle, a Somerville, Tennessee, native, is an infantry unit leader and the company gunnery sergeant, and Wang, a Fayetteville, North Carolina native, is an infantry officer and company commander, both with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

U.S. Marines train in tactical patrols during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 Feb. 8 at the Minam-ri Mountain Warfare Training Facility, Pohang, Republic of Korea. From planning to execution, KMEP 15-17 has been a bilateral and collaborative effort between ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. The U.S. Marines are with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. - U.S. Marines train in tactical patrols during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 Feb. 8 at the Minam-ri Mountain Warfare Training Facility, Pohang, Republic of Korea. From planning to execution, KMEP 15-17 has been a bilateral and collaborative effort between ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. The U.S. Marines are with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Alex S. Rankin, center, digs a hiding position alongside Republic of Korea Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-4 Feb. 4 at the Pyeongchang Winter Training Facility, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. The ROK recon Marines specialize in stealth and scouting, so this training teaches the Marines how to survive without getting caught and still accomplishing the mission. This exercise highlights the two countries’ combined commitment to the defense of the ROK and peace and security in the region. Rankin, a Secane, Pennsylvania, native, is an intelligence specialist with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. - U.S. Marine Cpl. Alex S. Rankin, center, digs a hiding position alongside Republic of Korea Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-4 Feb. 4 at the Pyeongchang Winter Training Facility, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. The ROK recon Marines specialize in stealth and scouting, so this training teaches the Marines how to survive without getting caught and still accomplishing the mission. This exercise highlights the two countries’ combined commitment to the defense of the ROK and peace and security in the region. Rankin, a Secane, Pennsylvania, native, is an intelligence specialist with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division.

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.

Republic of Korea Marines study a terrain map alongside U.S. Marines Oct. 7 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13. KMEP is a series of continuous combined training exercises designed to enhance the ROK-U.S. alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen ROK-U.S. military capabilities and interoperability. The ROK Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 8th Brigade, 2nd ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with various units assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen D. Himes/Released) - Republic of Korea Marines study a terrain map alongside U.S. Marines Oct. 7 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13. KMEP is a series of continuous combined training exercises designed to enhance the ROK-U.S. alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen ROK-U.S. military capabilities and interoperability. The ROK Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 8th Brigade, 2nd ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with various units assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen D. Himes/Released)

Cpl. Viktor Cadiente, right, calls for close air support Oct. 8 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13. KMEP familiarizes U.S. Marines with the Korean Peninsula and builds upon an existing strong relationship between Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines. Cadiente is from Honolulu, Hawaii, and is a joint fires observer with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Cpl. Viktor Cadiente, right, calls for close air support Oct. 8 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13. KMEP familiarizes U.S. Marines with the Korean Peninsula and builds upon an existing strong relationship between Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines. Cadiente is from Honolulu, Hawaii, and is a joint fires observer with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Service members share a tasty snack with students at the Himawari Gakudo Day Care Center, Nago City, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 23 during a community outreach visit. The students and service members snacked on sliced watermelon, popsicles and drinks before another round of games in the classroom. The Marines and sailors are with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey/Released) - Service members share a tasty snack with students at the Himawari Gakudo Day Care Center, Nago City, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 23 during a community outreach visit. The students and service members snacked on sliced watermelon, popsicles and drinks before another round of games in the classroom. The Marines and sailors are with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey/Released)

Corpsmen and airmen are sprayed with water to clean off accumulated mud July 20 after the Combat Endurance Course, the final test of the Jungle Medicine Combat Course at the Jungle Warfare Training Center on Camp Gonsalves. The corpsmen endured four miles of obstacles and navigated through simulated combat situations in the jungle terrain. The service members are also sprayed to cool off after running the course for hours in the Okinawan sun. The corpsmen are with 3rd Dental Battalion and 3rd Medical Battalion, both with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force; as well as 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. The airmen are with 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 18th Operations Group, 18th Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/released) - Corpsmen and airmen are sprayed with water to clean off accumulated mud July 20 after the Combat Endurance Course, the final test of the Jungle Medicine Combat Course at the Jungle Warfare Training Center on Camp Gonsalves. The corpsmen endured four miles of obstacles and navigated through simulated combat situations in the jungle terrain. The service members are also sprayed to cool off after running the course for hours in the Okinawan sun. The corpsmen are with 3rd Dental Battalion and 3rd Medical Battalion, both with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force; as well as 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. The airmen are with 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 18th Operations Group, 18th Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/released)