U.S. Navy Capt. Irving A. Elson, deputy chaplain of the Marine Corps, instructs a class during a professional development training course May 19 at the Ocean Breeze Club, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The class was hosted by the Chaplain Corps, which consists of all commissioned naval officers who are ordained to conduct religious services and promote the spiritual, moral and personal well-being of service members. The course is one of 12 hosted around the world, and reinforces chaplains' skills in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released) - U.S. Navy Capt. Irving A. Elson, deputy chaplain of the Marine Corps, instructs a class during a professional development training course May 19 at the Ocean Breeze Club, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The class was hosted by the Chaplain Corps, which consists of all commissioned naval officers who are ordained to conduct religious services and promote the spiritual, moral and personal well-being of service members. The course is one of 12 hosted around the world, and reinforces chaplains' skills in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released)

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.

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)

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.

Marines execute rappelling and fast-roping techniques Oct. 23 as a part of the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Basic Course at the Camp Schwab rappel tower. The Marines started the training by rappelling down the tower twice. To end the training, each Marine fast-roped down the tower twice. The Marines are with 5th ANGLICO, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Marines execute rappelling and fast-roping techniques Oct. 23 as a part of the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Basic Course at the Camp Schwab rappel tower. The Marines started the training by rappelling down the tower twice. To end the training, each Marine fast-roped down the tower twice. The Marines are with 5th ANGLICO, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Members of Team Futenma dance onstage Aug. 3 at the Ginowan City Marine Park during the 26th annual Hagoromo Kachashi Dance Competition. The team enjoyed the opportunity to take part in traditions unique to Okinawa, according to Tess M. Wobbe, a participant and senior at Kadena High School. “I want to see what’s out here and experience it for myself,” said Wobbe, a New London, Iowa, native. “Learning more about the people of Okinawa lets us show how much we appreciate their culture.” - Members of Team Futenma dance onstage Aug. 3 at the Ginowan City Marine Park during the 26th annual Hagoromo Kachashi Dance Competition. The team enjoyed the opportunity to take part in traditions unique to Okinawa, according to Tess M. Wobbe, a participant and senior at Kadena High School. “I want to see what’s out here and experience it for myself,” said Wobbe, a New London, Iowa, native. “Learning more about the people of Okinawa lets us show how much we appreciate their culture.”

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matt Rissinger, second from left, discusses the M4 carbine assault rifle with members of the Japan Self-Defense Force Aug. 5 during their visit to the Provost Marshal’s Office on Camp Foster. Members of the JSDF spent the day touring PMO and training with equipment used by U.S. military policemen. Rissinger is a Lititz, Pennsylvania, native and Special Reaction Team member with PMO, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released) - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matt Rissinger, second from left, discusses the M4 carbine assault rifle with members of the Japan Self-Defense Force Aug. 5 during their visit to the Provost Marshal’s Office on Camp Foster. Members of the JSDF spent the day touring PMO and training with equipment used by U.S. military policemen. Rissinger is a Lititz, Pennsylvania, native and Special Reaction Team member with PMO, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released)

Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 37 hike back from Mount Suribachi Jan. 31 during a professional military education trip to Iwo To. Mount Suribachi is the highest point on the island and was the location of Joe Rosenthal’s famous photo of five Marines and a corpsman raising a U.S. flag. CLR-37 is with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 37 hike back from Mount Suribachi Jan. 31 during a professional military education trip to Iwo To. Mount Suribachi is the highest point on the island and was the location of Joe Rosenthal’s famous photo of five Marines and a corpsman raising a U.S. flag. CLR-37 is with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.