Players of the Yomitan Elementary School’s soccer team and Marine Corps Community Services’ soccer team, The Bandits, and their coaches pose for a group photo after the Marine Corps Community Services’ Friendship Soccer Game March 11 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The two teams came together for a fun filled game of soccer. “We would love to come play every day if it were possible,” said Uechi Katsutoshi, coach of the Yomitan elementary school team. - Players of the Yomitan Elementary School’s soccer team and Marine Corps Community Services’ soccer team, The Bandits, and their coaches pose for a group photo after the Marine Corps Community Services’ Friendship Soccer Game March 11 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The two teams came together for a fun filled game of soccer. “We would love to come play every day if it were possible,” said Uechi Katsutoshi, coach of the Yomitan elementary school team.

The Okinawa Diamond baseball team circles around their coach before a game against the Okiboys March 18 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The Okiboys baseball team has been in existence for 12 years, and is an American high school level team that invites local teams like the Okinawa Diamond to come onto military bases and play. The Okinawa Diamond baseball team is from Naha, Okinawa, Japan. - The Okinawa Diamond baseball team circles around their coach before a game against the Okiboys March 18 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The Okiboys baseball team has been in existence for 12 years, and is an American high school level team that invites local teams like the Okinawa Diamond to come onto military bases and play. The Okinawa Diamond baseball team is from Naha, Okinawa, Japan.

Phillip M. Bennet coaches members of a basketball game during a Friendship Basketball event Dec. 3 at the Ironworks Fitness Center aboard Camp Courtney Okinawa, Japan. The Friendship Basketball event strengthened the relationship between Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement members through a day of friendly competition. Students from Hamagawa Elementary School and Department of Defense Education Activity schools across Okinawa divided into combined teams to compete in four separate games. Bennett is a materials handler with the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan and is a California City, California, native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon) - Phillip M. Bennet coaches members of a basketball game during a Friendship Basketball event Dec. 3 at the Ironworks Fitness Center aboard Camp Courtney Okinawa, Japan. The Friendship Basketball event strengthened the relationship between Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement members through a day of friendly competition. Students from Hamagawa Elementary School and Department of Defense Education Activity schools across Okinawa divided into combined teams to compete in four separate games. Bennett is a materials handler with the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan and is a California City, California, native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon)

Japanese Air Self Defense Force Staff Sgt. Shinya Nishida speaks on an enhanced terminal voice switch while participating in the professional military exchange program February 23 in the base operations building on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The ETVS expedites calling and communication between air traffic control facilities. The professional military exchange program provided Nishida from the JASDF an opportunity to work with the Marine Corps to learn their job skills, culture and day-to-day life as a member of the U.S. armed services. Nishida is a flight plan dispatcher with the JASDF. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released) - Japanese Air Self Defense Force Staff Sgt. Shinya Nishida speaks on an enhanced terminal voice switch while participating in the professional military exchange program February 23 in the base operations building on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The ETVS expedites calling and communication between air traffic control facilities. The professional military exchange program provided Nishida from the JASDF an opportunity to work with the Marine Corps to learn their job skills, culture and day-to-day life as a member of the U.S. armed services. Nishida is a flight plan dispatcher with the JASDF. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released)

Lance Cpl. Brandon D. Perez of Prosser, Wash. (left), covers the eyes of Cpl. Alec J. Skramstad, of Glenwood Springs, Colo. (right) as he disassembles and reassembles an M-4 rifle for watching visitors during the Fuji Friendship Festival at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji May 9, 2015. The Fuji Friendship festival is an annual event designed to enhance the strong relationships with the community, and gives community members an opportunity to view U.S. and Japan Ground Self Defense Force military equipment and interact with U.S. and JGSDF personnel at Camp Fuji. Perez is an armorer at Camp Fuji, and Skramstad is a radio operator with range control at Camp Fuji. - Lance Cpl. Brandon D. Perez of Prosser, Wash. (left), covers the eyes of Cpl. Alec J. Skramstad, of Glenwood Springs, Colo. (right) as he disassembles and reassembles an M-4 rifle for watching visitors during the Fuji Friendship Festival at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji May 9, 2015. The Fuji Friendship festival is an annual event designed to enhance the strong relationships with the community, and gives community members an opportunity to view U.S. and Japan Ground Self Defense Force military equipment and interact with U.S. and JGSDF personnel at Camp Fuji. Perez is an armorer at Camp Fuji, and Skramstad is a radio operator with range control at Camp Fuji.

Katsukatsuo Yamada, a fire control repairman and a native of Okinawa, poses for a photo during the 14th annual Tedako Walk Feb. 8 at Camp Kinser. The two-day event consisted of a 10-kilometer course Feb. 7 and 20-kilometer and 30-kilometer courses Feb. 8. The walk promoted friendship, healthy living and the bolstering of community relationships, including those between the Marines of Camp Kinser and residents of Urasoe City. Yamada is with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Katsukatsuo Yamada, a fire control repairman and a native of Okinawa, poses for a photo during the 14th annual Tedako Walk Feb. 8 at Camp Kinser. The two-day event consisted of a 10-kilometer course Feb. 7 and 20-kilometer and 30-kilometer courses Feb. 8. The walk promoted friendship, healthy living and the bolstering of community relationships, including those between the Marines of Camp Kinser and residents of Urasoe City. Yamada is with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Keiichi Hirano, left, a Japanese major league baseball player pitches to a local kid during a friendly game at a baseball clinic Jan. 24 on Camp Kinser. This was the first baseball clinic held on Camp Kinser. Approximately 50 Japanese and American children participated in the event. The clinic consisted of Hirano teaching fundamental skills and techniques followed by a game. The day ended with prizes, lunch and a cake for all who participated. Hirano is with the Orix Buffaloes. - Keiichi Hirano, left, a Japanese major league baseball player pitches to a local kid during a friendly game at a baseball clinic Jan. 24 on Camp Kinser. This was the first baseball clinic held on Camp Kinser. Approximately 50 Japanese and American children participated in the event. The clinic consisted of Hirano teaching fundamental skills and techniques followed by a game. The day ended with prizes, lunch and a cake for all who participated. Hirano is with the Orix Buffaloes.

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.

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.

Republic of Korea Marines study a terrain map alongside U.S. Marines Oct. 7 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13. KMEP is a series of continuous combined training exercises designed to enhance the ROK-U.S. alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen ROK-U.S. military capabilities and interoperability. The ROK Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 8th Brigade, 2nd ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with various units assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen D. Himes/Released) - Republic of Korea Marines study a terrain map alongside U.S. Marines Oct. 7 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13. KMEP is a series of continuous combined training exercises designed to enhance the ROK-U.S. alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen ROK-U.S. military capabilities and interoperability. The ROK Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 8th Brigade, 2nd ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with various units assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen D. Himes/Released)