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)

Students with the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and Marines compete in a friendly game of tug-of-war Nov. 2 during the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy Festival. The festival included music by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program demonstrations and a friendly competition of tug-of-war. The students attend the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and are residents of Kin Town. The band members are with III MEF band, III MEF. The Marines are with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Students with the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and Marines compete in a friendly game of tug-of-war Nov. 2 during the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy Festival. The festival included music by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program demonstrations and a friendly competition of tug-of-war. The students attend the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and are residents of Kin Town. The band members are with III MEF band, III MEF. The Marines are with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Volunteers remove plastic bags and streamers from a fence during a Fence Clean Project on Okinawa, Japan. The Fence Clean Project is an effort initiated by local residents to remove the vandalism of Futenma’s fences that started abruptly to occur in the fall of 2012. - Volunteers remove plastic bags and streamers from a fence during a Fence Clean Project on Okinawa, Japan. The Fence Clean Project is an effort initiated by local residents to remove the vandalism of Futenma’s fences that started abruptly to occur in the fall of 2012.

Marines cheer on their teammates during a pugil stick bout Nov. 14 on Camp Hansen’s Parade Field during a 3rd Intelligence Battalion field meet. The pugil stick competition served as the main event of the field meet, which drew a lot of excitement from a loud crowd. The Marines are with 3rd Intel. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Marines cheer on their teammates during a pugil stick bout Nov. 14 on Camp Hansen’s Parade Field during a 3rd Intelligence Battalion field meet. The pugil stick competition served as the main event of the field meet, which drew a lot of excitement from a loud crowd. The Marines are with 3rd Intel. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

A ball flies across a baseball field after being hit by an Okinawan during a Camp Hansen friendly softball tournament Nov. 1 on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. The tournament allows local Okinawans the chance to visit Camp Hansen, and for all the participants to enjoy friendly competition with one another. Eight teams participated in total, with the Marine team from 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force winning the championship game. - A ball flies across a baseball field after being hit by an Okinawan during a Camp Hansen friendly softball tournament Nov. 1 on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. The tournament allows local Okinawans the chance to visit Camp Hansen, and for all the participants to enjoy friendly competition with one another. Eight teams participated in total, with the Marine team from 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force winning the championship game.

Marines and their families prepare plates of local Okinawan food at a party Oct. 30 at Hikarigaoka Nursing Home. The party was held to thank Marines who have been volunteering at the nursing home for more than two decade. The party consisted of three major events. First, local Okinawan foods were served, followed by the Marines and staff dancing to several songs, then karaoke of American and Japanese songs. The Marines are with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines and their families prepare plates of local Okinawan food at a party Oct. 30 at Hikarigaoka Nursing Home. The party was held to thank Marines who have been volunteering at the nursing home for more than two decade. The party consisted of three major events. First, local Okinawan foods were served, followed by the Marines and staff dancing to several songs, then karaoke of American and Japanese songs. The Marines are with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

PENANJONG GARRISON, TUTONG, Brunei – Members of the Royal Brunei Land Force and U.S. Marines clear a building during military operations on urban terrain training Nov. 12 at the Penanjong Garrison. The service members conducted MOUT training as part of the nine-country, bilateral exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2014. The CARAT maritime exercise series promotes regional security cooperation, mutual understanding, and enhances interoperability among participating forces. The Royal Brunei Land Force service members are with 1st Battalion, RBLF. The U.S. Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. - PENANJONG GARRISON, TUTONG, Brunei – Members of the Royal Brunei Land Force and U.S. Marines clear a building during military operations on urban terrain training Nov. 12 at the Penanjong Garrison. The service members conducted MOUT training as part of the nine-country, bilateral exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2014. The CARAT maritime exercise series promotes regional security cooperation, mutual understanding, and enhances interoperability among participating forces. The Royal Brunei Land Force service members are with 1st Battalion, RBLF. The U.S. Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

An MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft flies to a casualty evacuation drill Nov. 8 during Tomodachi relief exercise 15.2 near Izu Oshima Island, Tokyo Metropolis Prefecture, Japan. TREX 15.2 is an annual, bilateral training exercise that simulates humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in the Asia-Pacific region while forging a stronger U.S. and Japanese alliance. The exercise also included an HADR training mission, an in-flight demonstration for the Japanese Minister of Defense and additional Japanese politicians, and a static display and press conference for the Japanese media. - An MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft flies to a casualty evacuation drill Nov. 8 during Tomodachi relief exercise 15.2 near Izu Oshima Island, Tokyo Metropolis Prefecture, Japan. TREX 15.2 is an annual, bilateral training exercise that simulates humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in the Asia-Pacific region while forging a stronger U.S. and Japanese alliance. The exercise also included an HADR training mission, an in-flight demonstration for the Japanese Minister of Defense and additional Japanese politicians, and a static display and press conference for the Japanese media.

Cpl. Nicholas Majerus, from Mazeppa, Minn., prepares to fast-rope out of an MV-22B Osprey with his military working dog, Iggi, Oct. 27 at Camp Hansen. “I think our bond has gotten a lot stronger,” said Majerus. “I’ve been with (Iggi) for a long time so she trusts me with everything, and she knows I would never put her in any kind of danger.” Majerus is a working dog handler. He and Iggi are with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Cpl. Nicholas Majerus, from Mazeppa, Minn., prepares to fast-rope out of an MV-22B Osprey with his military working dog, Iggi, Oct. 27 at Camp Hansen. “I think our bond has gotten a lot stronger,” said Majerus. “I’ve been with (Iggi) for a long time so she trusts me with everything, and she knows I would never put her in any kind of danger.” Majerus is a working dog handler. He and Iggi are with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

A CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land Nov. 5 during a simulated tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise as part of exercise Blue Chromite 15 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. The landing zone was near combat town, the last known location of the downed aircraft crew members. Upon arriving in combat town, the Marines had to engage opposing forces and track the crew members’ location. The CH-53E is with HMH-XXX, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force - A CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land Nov. 5 during a simulated tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise as part of exercise Blue Chromite 15 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. The landing zone was near combat town, the last known location of the downed aircraft crew members. Upon arriving in combat town, the Marines had to engage opposing forces and track the crew members’ location. The CH-53E is with HMH-XXX, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force