Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Mizuho Ban recites the Noncommissioned Officers Creed with her class during their graduation of Corporal’s Course Feb. 10 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Ban travelled over 700 miles from Chitose City, Hokkaido, Japan, to attend the course with Marines, sailors and airmen. Ban is a radio communicator with 1st Electronic Warfare Unit, 2nd Direction Finding Company. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Mizuho Ban recites the Noncommissioned Officers Creed with her class during their graduation of Corporal’s Course Feb. 10 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Ban travelled over 700 miles from Chitose City, Hokkaido, Japan, to attend the course with Marines, sailors and airmen. Ban is a radio communicator with 1st Electronic Warfare Unit, 2nd Direction Finding Company.

Marines and Yokohama DeNA BayStars baseball team pose in front of an MV-22B Osprey Feb. 23 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The BayStars players and staff had the opportunity to tour an Osprey and dine at the Habu Pit. “Events like this enhance the already strong community relations MCAS Futenma enjoys with the surrounding City of Ginowan,” said Lt. Col. Bob Sweginnis, the executive officer of MCAS Futenma. “This event in particular allowed those who live and work aboard MCAS Futenma to meet and interact with professional baseball players from a prominent Japanese Big League team that conducts spring training every year in here Ginowan City, just outside the gates of Futenma.” (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jessica Collins) - Marines and Yokohama DeNA BayStars baseball team pose in front of an MV-22B Osprey Feb. 23 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The BayStars players and staff had the opportunity to tour an Osprey and dine at the Habu Pit. “Events like this enhance the already strong community relations MCAS Futenma enjoys with the surrounding City of Ginowan,” said Lt. Col. Bob Sweginnis, the executive officer of MCAS Futenma. “This event in particular allowed those who live and work aboard MCAS Futenma to meet and interact with professional baseball players from a prominent Japanese Big League team that conducts spring training every year in here Ginowan City, just outside the gates of Futenma.” (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jessica Collins)

Attendees listen intently to a Legal Services Support Section brief during a Marine Corps Family Team Building pre-marital seminar Jan. 13 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The seminar informs service members and their future spouses of the requirements procedures of marrying in the U.S. as well as overseas. During the LSSS brief, service members learned about the services available to them for obtaining affidavits, power of attorney paperwork, and writing living wills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Marine Cpl. Janessa K. Pon) - Attendees listen intently to a Legal Services Support Section brief during a Marine Corps Family Team Building pre-marital seminar Jan. 13 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The seminar informs service members and their future spouses of the requirements procedures of marrying in the U.S. as well as overseas. During the LSSS brief, service members learned about the services available to them for obtaining affidavits, power of attorney paperwork, and writing living wills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Marine Cpl. Janessa K. Pon)

Gunnery Sgt. Michael Stanley conducts the III Marine Expeditionary Force Brass and Percussion Ensemble Dec. 7 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The concert was free for the military community and their guests to attend. Stanley is the enlisted conductor of the III MEF Band. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc Danielle R. Prentice) - Gunnery Sgt. Michael Stanley conducts the III Marine Expeditionary Force Brass and Percussion Ensemble Dec. 7 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The concert was free for the military community and their guests to attend. Stanley is the enlisted conductor of the III MEF Band. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc Danielle R. Prentice)

Seaman Rommel Samson, left, talks with an Okinawa resident during a special Thanksgiving lunch at the Promise Keepers Homeless Shelter Nov. 24 in Urasoe City, Okinawa, Japan. The lunch was served by service members from Camp Kinser and made a positive impact on the community through food, friendship and holiday celebration. During the event, volunteers served traditional Thanksgiving foods such as turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. After the meal was served to patrons, service members joined them to enjoy the holiday meal together. Samson is a hospital corpsman with Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force and is a Paradise Hills San Diego, California, native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon) - Seaman Rommel Samson, left, talks with an Okinawa resident during a special Thanksgiving lunch at the Promise Keepers Homeless Shelter Nov. 24 in Urasoe City, Okinawa, Japan. The lunch was served by service members from Camp Kinser and made a positive impact on the community through food, friendship and holiday celebration. During the event, volunteers served traditional Thanksgiving foods such as turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. After the meal was served to patrons, service members joined them to enjoy the holiday meal together. Samson is a hospital corpsman with Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force and is a Paradise Hills San Diego, California, native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon)

Col. Peter Lee poses for a photo with master labor contractors during the 241st Marine Corps Birthday celebration at the mess hall Nov. 9 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The celebration was one of many held on installations across Okinawa to uphold the tradition of celebrating the Marine Corps’ birthday, which dates back to Nov. 10, 1775. The event featured a mouthwatering steak and lobster meal, a uniform pageant by Kubasaki High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and a live performance by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and was open to service members, civilian contractors, master labor contractors, and their families to celebrate together. Lee is the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/Released) - Col. Peter Lee poses for a photo with master labor contractors during the 241st Marine Corps Birthday celebration at the mess hall Nov. 9 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The celebration was one of many held on installations across Okinawa to uphold the tradition of celebrating the Marine Corps’ birthday, which dates back to Nov. 10, 1775. The event featured a mouthwatering steak and lobster meal, a uniform pageant by Kubasaki High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and a live performance by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and was open to service members, civilian contractors, master labor contractors, and their families to celebrate together. Lee is the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/Released)

The islands of Okinawa have some of the most beautiful beaches, diving or snorkeling spots, and waters in the world. Service members and their families need to recognize how to enjoy these wonders safely and responsibly, however, as drowning is one of the most prominent causes of death of Status of Forces Agreement personnel on Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo Illustration by Cpl. Brittany A. James/ Released) - The islands of Okinawa have some of the most beautiful beaches, diving or snorkeling spots, and waters in the world. Service members and their families need to recognize how to enjoy these wonders safely and responsibly, however, as drowning is one of the most prominent causes of death of Status of Forces Agreement personnel on Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo Illustration by Cpl. Brittany A. James/ Released)

Guests line up to enter the Okinawa Haunted Labyrinth Oct. 29 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The annual open-gate event welcomes Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement personnel to come together to enjoy Halloween fright, candy and food. The labyrinth is designed and hosted by the Okinawa Single Marine Program and is the largest SMP open-gate event held on Okinawa. During the event, families painted pumpkins, and collected candy. - Guests line up to enter the Okinawa Haunted Labyrinth Oct. 29 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The annual open-gate event welcomes Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement personnel to come together to enjoy Halloween fright, candy and food. The labyrinth is designed and hosted by the Okinawa Single Marine Program and is the largest SMP open-gate event held on Okinawa. During the event, families painted pumpkins, and collected candy.

Informational pamphlets about breast cancer rest on a table during the Second Annual Breast Cancer Awareness 5-kilometer Run Oct. 1 aboard Camp Lester, Okinawa, Japan. The event provided an opportunity for Status of Forces Agreement members to show solidarity and support for survivors and breast cancer and their families. During the event, Marine Corps Community Services Health Promotion staff provided information on available support groups and services form breast cancer survivors and their families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon / Released) - Informational pamphlets about breast cancer rest on a table during the Second Annual Breast Cancer Awareness 5-kilometer Run Oct. 1 aboard Camp Lester, Okinawa, Japan. The event provided an opportunity for Status of Forces Agreement members to show solidarity and support for survivors and breast cancer and their families. During the event, Marine Corps Community Services Health Promotion staff provided information on available support groups and services form breast cancer survivors and their families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon / Released)

Kimberly Perry, the lead vocalist of The Band Perry, sings onstage Sept. 24 during the Flight Line Fair at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. MCAS Futenma opened its flight line to Status of Forces Agreement Personnel and Okinawa residents as they enjoyed local vendors, games and a performance by The Band Perry. The Band Perry is an American country group featuring siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry. Perry thanked the audience for their sacrifices overseas and said she felt honored to be able to perform for them. - Kimberly Perry, the lead vocalist of The Band Perry, sings onstage Sept. 24 during the Flight Line Fair at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. MCAS Futenma opened its flight line to Status of Forces Agreement Personnel and Okinawa residents as they enjoyed local vendors, games and a performance by The Band Perry. The Band Perry is an American country group featuring siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry. Perry thanked the audience for their sacrifices overseas and said she felt honored to be able to perform for them.