Lance Cpl. Isidro Johnsonsmith poses for a photo before being sprayed with oleoresin capsicum, left, and attempts to pose after, right, March 6 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. He and other Marines temporarily assigned to the security augment force for Marine Corps Installations Pacific- Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan, were introduced to the visceral sensation of the irritant to understand its effects and how to operate if they were exposed while spraying an assailant. Johnsonsmith is a San Francisco, Calif., native and an aircraft mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Isidro Johnsonsmith poses for a photo before being sprayed with oleoresin capsicum, left, and attempts to pose after, right, March 6 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. He and other Marines temporarily assigned to the security augment force for Marine Corps Installations Pacific- Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan, were introduced to the visceral sensation of the irritant to understand its effects and how to operate if they were exposed while spraying an assailant. Johnsonsmith is a San Francisco, Calif., native and an aircraft mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Ryota Hasebe attached to 3rd Battalion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for two months starting Jan. 11 and ending March 13. During those two months Hasebe learned about U.S. Marine Corps Artillery and went to Twentynine Palms, California for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Hasebe, 28, studied Chinese Literature and graduated from Kokugakuin University in Tokyo before joining the JGSDF in 2011. Hasebe is now the battalion fire direction control officer for 1st Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment in Fukuoka Japan. - Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Ryota Hasebe attached to 3rd Battalion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for two months starting Jan. 11 and ending March 13. During those two months Hasebe learned about U.S. Marine Corps Artillery and went to Twentynine Palms, California for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Hasebe, 28, studied Chinese Literature and graduated from Kokugakuin University in Tokyo before joining the JGSDF in 2011. Hasebe is now the battalion fire direction control officer for 1st Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment in Fukuoka Japan.

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.

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.

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.