Sgt. John M. Dearing provides security July 18 at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during a Marine Expeditionary Unit exercise. The training scenario called for the 31st MEU’s Battalion Landing Team to insert via aircraft into a landing zone near a simulated hostile village to seize and capture high-value individuals. Dearing is a rifleman with 3rd Bn., 5th Marine Regiment, 31st MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released). - Sgt. John M. Dearing provides security July 18 at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during a Marine Expeditionary Unit exercise. The training scenario called for the 31st MEU’s Battalion Landing Team to insert via aircraft into a landing zone near a simulated hostile village to seize and capture high-value individuals. Dearing is a rifleman with 3rd Bn., 5th Marine Regiment, 31st MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released).

Col. Daniel H. Wilson prepares to fire an M590 shotgun May 24 in the Central Training Area during a friendly marksmanship competition. The competition was the culminating event of the 2014 Spring Commanders and Senior Enlisted Conference. The theme of the conference was “How we train and fight as a division,” which opened a dialogue on a range of command-related topics. The focus of the conference was 3rd Marine Division’s way ahead for 2015 and beyond. Wilson is the chief of staff for 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Col. Daniel H. Wilson prepares to fire an M590 shotgun May 24 in the Central Training Area during a friendly marksmanship competition. The competition was the culminating event of the 2014 Spring Commanders and Senior Enlisted Conference. The theme of the conference was “How we train and fight as a division,” which opened a dialogue on a range of command-related topics. The focus of the conference was 3rd Marine Division’s way ahead for 2015 and beyond. Wilson is the chief of staff for 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines execute immediate action drills during combatant diver and beach reconnaissance training April 24 in the Central Training Area. Upon receiving fire from simulated enemy forces, the Marines executed immediate actions to include returning fire, broke contact and egressed into the water. The Marines are reconnaissance men with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Manning/Released) - Marines execute immediate action drills during combatant diver and beach reconnaissance training April 24 in the Central Training Area. Upon receiving fire from simulated enemy forces, the Marines executed immediate actions to include returning fire, broke contact and egressed into the water. The Marines are reconnaissance men with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Manning/Released)

Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Caserta operates a fuel pump at Landing Zone Hawk in the Central Training Area March 27 during a field training exercise. Pump operators ensure the 600-gallon-per-minute pump functions properly while maintaining security. Caserta is a bulk fuel specialist with Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Caserta operates a fuel pump at Landing Zone Hawk in the Central Training Area March 27 during a field training exercise. Pump operators ensure the 600-gallon-per-minute pump functions properly while maintaining security. Caserta is a bulk fuel specialist with Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Religious program specialists provide security for a chaplain March 25 at the military operation on urbanized terrain facility in the Central Training Area, Okinawa. The religious program specialists participated in a weeklong training program to learn how to assist and protect chaplains during potentially dangerous situations. The sailors are with various units within III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Religious program specialists provide security for a chaplain March 25 at the military operation on urbanized terrain facility in the Central Training Area, Okinawa. The religious program specialists participated in a weeklong training program to learn how to assist and protect chaplains during potentially dangerous situations. The sailors are with various units within III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Staff Sgt. Eric J. Ellenberger, standing, addresses Marines with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion following a security patrol training evolution March 19 at the Central Training Area as part of a field training exercise. During the discussion, Ellenberger explained ways for the unit to increase proficiency during security patrol scenarios. Ellenberger is a military police member with Company A, 3rd LE Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Staff Sgt. Eric J. Ellenberger, standing, addresses Marines with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion following a security patrol training evolution March 19 at the Central Training Area as part of a field training exercise. During the discussion, Ellenberger explained ways for the unit to increase proficiency during security patrol scenarios. Ellenberger is a military police member with Company A, 3rd LE Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Marines execute fast roping out of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft March 12 during training at Camp Schwab, Okinawa. With this technique Marines can execute tactical insertions where rotary aircraft landings are impractical, according to Marine Corps Reference Publication 3-11.4A. The Marines are with Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines execute fast roping out of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft March 12 during training at Camp Schwab, Okinawa. With this technique Marines can execute tactical insertions where rotary aircraft landings are impractical, according to Marine Corps Reference Publication 3-11.4A. The Marines are with Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

The crew of an assault amphibious vehicle peers out of its hatches awaiting clearance to traverse a demolished tank berm Jan. 21 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. “Over the past decade, we haven’t had to use these core skills,” said Capt. Timothy G. Ernst. “This training event is designed to hone and sharpen our capabilities outlined in the deliberate defense and breaching operations doctrine.” Ernst is the commanding officer of Combat Engineer Co., Combat Assault Bn., 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. The AAV is with Assault Amphibious Vehicle Co., CAB. - The crew of an assault amphibious vehicle peers out of its hatches awaiting clearance to traverse a demolished tank berm Jan. 21 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. “Over the past decade, we haven’t had to use these core skills,” said Capt. Timothy G. Ernst. “This training event is designed to hone and sharpen our capabilities outlined in the deliberate defense and breaching operations doctrine.” Ernst is the commanding officer of Combat Engineer Co., Combat Assault Bn., 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. The AAV is with Assault Amphibious Vehicle Co., CAB.

Dasty stares at an explosive Oct. 24 at Range 160 on Camp Hansen, signaling his handler that an improvised explosive device may be buried there. Dasty is a military working dog with 3rd LE Bn. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donald T. Peterson/Released) - Dasty stares at an explosive Oct. 24 at Range 160 on Camp Hansen, signaling his handler that an improvised explosive device may be buried there. Dasty is a military working dog with 3rd LE Bn. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donald T. Peterson/Released)

Lance Cpl. William P. Biagas, left, enters a compound Oct. 1 during a two-week-long special reaction team course at Camp Hansen. Room clearing is one of several SRT skillsets the Marines trained for during the course. The Marines are with the Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Ranum/Released) - Lance Cpl. William P. Biagas, left, enters a compound Oct. 1 during a two-week-long special reaction team course at Camp Hansen. Room clearing is one of several SRT skillsets the Marines trained for during the course. The Marines are with the Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Ranum/Released)