Marines prepare to fuse 155 mm rounds to fire Nov. 4 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that strengthens combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces, and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and are currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the Unit Deployment Program. - Marines prepare to fuse 155 mm rounds to fire Nov. 4 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that strengthens combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces, and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and are currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the Unit Deployment Program.

Maj. Matthew A. Thompson, right, speaks with the Marines of Battery B after a Marine Corps birthday cake-cutting ceremony Nov. 10 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that increases and maintains combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Thompson is from Presho, South Dakota, and is the commanding officers for Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - Maj. Matthew A. Thompson, right, speaks with the Marines of Battery B after a Marine Corps birthday cake-cutting ceremony Nov. 10 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that increases and maintains combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Thompson is from Presho, South Dakota, and is the commanding officers for Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Marines check the GPS coordinates of their M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzers Oct. 30 during a command post exercise for Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. “Camp Fuji provides that cold weather training environment that artillery units need to be familiar with,” said Sgt. Maj. Marvin M. Magcale, the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. “The Marines and sailors in this battalion will be better prepared to accomplish the mission involving cold weather. Austere conditions obviously affect not only the Marines and sailors, but their equipment as well.” The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and are currently assigned to 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. - Marines check the GPS coordinates of their M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzers Oct. 30 during a command post exercise for Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. “Camp Fuji provides that cold weather training environment that artillery units need to be familiar with,” said Sgt. Maj. Marvin M. Magcale, the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. “The Marines and sailors in this battalion will be better prepared to accomplish the mission involving cold weather. Austere conditions obviously affect not only the Marines and sailors, but their equipment as well.” The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and are currently assigned to 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

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.

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

Marines operate an M240B medium maching gun Oct. 22 during the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Basic Course on Camp Schwab. The targets were replica bunker positions and tanks ranging from 400 to 900 meters down range. The Marines are training to keep up their basic infantry skills and improve upon them. The Marines are with 5th ANGLICO, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Marines operate an M240B medium maching gun Oct. 22 during the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Basic Course on Camp Schwab. The targets were replica bunker positions and tanks ranging from 400 to 900 meters down range. The Marines are training to keep up their basic infantry skills and improve upon them. The Marines are with 5th ANGLICO, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Solar panels for the Ground Renewable Expeditionary Energy System gather energy to provide power to the command center Nov. 4 during the exercise Blue Chromite 15 on Camp Schwab. The solar panels supplied the initial 24 hours of power for the Combat Operations Center during Chromite and have continued to power the communications systems. The Marines maintaining the systems are from Communications Platoon, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Solar panels for the Ground Renewable Expeditionary Energy System gather energy to provide power to the command center Nov. 4 during the exercise Blue Chromite 15 on Camp Schwab. The solar panels supplied the initial 24 hours of power for the Combat Operations Center during Chromite and have continued to power the communications systems. The Marines maintaining the systems are from Communications Platoon, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Capt. Seth A. Woodhull, left, from Greenwood, Arkansas, helps an attendee put on aviation equipment at the Japanese-American Friendship Festival Sept. 6 at Yokota Air Base. This year marked the first time the Osprey was displayed at the festival. More than 148,000 people attended the event where the Osprey was one of the most popular aircraft. The festival had aircraft from both the U.S. military and Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Woodhull is the adjutant for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Thor J. Larson/Released) - Capt. Seth A. Woodhull, left, from Greenwood, Arkansas, helps an attendee put on aviation equipment at the Japanese-American Friendship Festival Sept. 6 at Yokota Air Base. This year marked the first time the Osprey was displayed at the festival. More than 148,000 people attended the event where the Osprey was one of the most popular aircraft. The festival had aircraft from both the U.S. military and Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Woodhull is the adjutant for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Thor J. Larson/Released)

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, right, is greeted by Lt. Gen. John Wissler Sept.17 during a visit to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The two met to further their relationship and reflect on the strong history of mutual cooperation regarding operations on Okinawa and throughout Japan. Suga also viewed the West Futenma Housing area of Camp Zukeran (Camp Foster) which is in the process of necessary procedures for land return under the Okinawa Consolidation Plan. In addition to his duties as chief cabinet secretary, Suga also serves as the Minister in Charge of Impact Mitigation on Okinawa. Wissler is the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Okinawa Area Coordinator. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jose O. Nava/Released) - Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, right, is greeted by Lt. Gen. John Wissler Sept.17 during a visit to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The two met to further their relationship and reflect on the strong history of mutual cooperation regarding operations on Okinawa and throughout Japan. Suga also viewed the West Futenma Housing area of Camp Zukeran (Camp Foster) which is in the process of necessary procedures for land return under the Okinawa Consolidation Plan. In addition to his duties as chief cabinet secretary, Suga also serves as the Minister in Charge of Impact Mitigation on Okinawa. Wissler is the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Okinawa Area Coordinator. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jose O. Nava/Released)