U.S. Marines purchase food and drinks from a local vendor Sept. 20 during exercise Valiant Shield 2014 at a compound near Tinian’s North Field, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. “It really boosts our sales,” said Lot Bunao, manager of J.C. Café on Tinian. “It’s really a chain reaction and boosts our entire economy. For example, the food we sell to them is made from stuff we buy locally at the stores here.” The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei) - U.S. Marines purchase food and drinks from a local vendor Sept. 20 during exercise Valiant Shield 2014 at a compound near Tinian’s North Field, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. “It really boosts our sales,” said Lot Bunao, manager of J.C. Café on Tinian. “It’s really a chain reaction and boosts our entire economy. For example, the food we sell to them is made from stuff we buy locally at the stores here.” The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei)

Sgt. Rene Rosado, left, swings a bat June 21 during a baseball scrimmage between the Kin Town Eagles and the Camp Hansen Tigers at the Kin Town Baseball Stadium. “It’s important to have a good relationship with your host nation,” said Col. Sean M. McBride a Butte, Montana, native. “Baseball is America’s pastime and is also something the people of Okinawa enjoy. Sharing this is just one of the ways we can maintain that positive relationship.” McBride is the commanding officer of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and the camp commander of Camp Hansen. Rosado is a tactical switching operator with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey) - Sgt. Rene Rosado, left, swings a bat June 21 during a baseball scrimmage between the Kin Town Eagles and the Camp Hansen Tigers at the Kin Town Baseball Stadium. “It’s important to have a good relationship with your host nation,” said Col. Sean M. McBride a Butte, Montana, native. “Baseball is America’s pastime and is also something the people of Okinawa enjoy. Sharing this is just one of the ways we can maintain that positive relationship.” McBride is the commanding officer of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and the camp commander of Camp Hansen. Rosado is a tactical switching operator with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey)

Students participate in a drill competition with U.S. Marines at Gwangyang elementary school in Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea March 7 as part of a community relations event during exercise Freedom Banner 14. During the game, Marines instructed the children to perform certain drill moves such as attention, parade rest, left and right face, if the student failed to complete the movement they were eliminated from the round. The Marines are with Civil Affairs Detachment, G-3 operations, III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element and various units with III MEF. Freedom Banner projects U.S. military power and exercises maritime prepositioning force ship offloading capabilities similar to what would occur during a wartime or disaster relief scenario. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity for Marines to strengthen relationships between the Republic of Korea and U.S. - Students participate in a drill competition with U.S. Marines at Gwangyang elementary school in Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea March 7 as part of a community relations event during exercise Freedom Banner 14. During the game, Marines instructed the children to perform certain drill moves such as attention, parade rest, left and right face, if the student failed to complete the movement they were eliminated from the round. The Marines are with Civil Affairs Detachment, G-3 operations, III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element and various units with III MEF. Freedom Banner projects U.S. military power and exercises maritime prepositioning force ship offloading capabilities similar to what would occur during a wartime or disaster relief scenario. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity for Marines to strengthen relationships between the Republic of Korea and U.S.