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 cosplayers pose for a photo Oct. 15, awaiting the announcement of the winner of the cosplay contest at Comic Con on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. More than 25 attendees participated in the cosplay contest dressed as characters from video games, comic books and movies. The contest featured participants dressed as characters from video games such as Kingdom Hearts, Fallout and Super Mario. There were also characters from movies and television shows such as Harry Potter and My Neighbor Totoro. Many of the participants’ costumes were made by hand. The free event was open for attendance to Status of Forces Agreement members and the local Okinawa community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James / Released) - The cosplayers pose for a photo Oct. 15, awaiting the announcement of the winner of the cosplay contest at Comic Con on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. More than 25 attendees participated in the cosplay contest dressed as characters from video games, comic books and movies. The contest featured participants dressed as characters from video games such as Kingdom Hearts, Fallout and Super Mario. There were also characters from movies and television shows such as Harry Potter and My Neighbor Totoro. Many of the participants’ costumes were made by hand. The free event was open for attendance to Status of Forces Agreement members and the local Okinawa community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James / Released)

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Imato translates JGSDF rules of engagement to U.S. Marines during the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event Oct. 6 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The three-day event sharpened U.S. and JGSDF service members’ abilities to defense installations through the observation and exchange of tactical procedures and operational concepts. The training included patrolling, rules of engagement and vehicle search and seizure procedures. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Imato translates JGSDF rules of engagement to U.S. Marines during the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event Oct. 6 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The three-day event sharpened U.S. and JGSDF service members’ abilities to defense installations through the observation and exchange of tactical procedures and operational concepts. The training included patrolling, rules of engagement and vehicle search and seizure procedures.

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.

A three-strand obstacle sprawls over an open valley at the Jungle Warfare Training Center Sept. 20, 2016 at Jungle Warfare Training Center in Okinawa, Japan. This obstacle is one of the 31 obstacles Marines must navigate during the culminating event of any JWTC course. JWTC is utilized for its harsh terrain and conditions to prepare Marines for operations in the Asia-Pacific Region and stretches over more than 17,000 acres. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon) - A three-strand obstacle sprawls over an open valley at the Jungle Warfare Training Center Sept. 20, 2016 at Jungle Warfare Training Center in Okinawa, Japan. This obstacle is one of the 31 obstacles Marines must navigate during the culminating event of any JWTC course. JWTC is utilized for its harsh terrain and conditions to prepare Marines for operations in the Asia-Pacific Region and stretches over more than 17,000 acres. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon)

Instructors from the Yayoi Kimono Shop and Cultural School pose for photos with Status of Forces Agreement personnel who participated in a Japanese Tea Ceremony Class Sept. 17, 2016, in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. The class provided SOFA personnel with the opportunity to experience Japanese traditions firsthand. The students learned how to politely partake of tea and refreshments and how to prepare and serve the matcha, which is a powdered green tea commonly served at tea ceremonies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon) - Instructors from the Yayoi Kimono Shop and Cultural School pose for photos with Status of Forces Agreement personnel who participated in a Japanese Tea Ceremony Class Sept. 17, 2016, in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. The class provided SOFA personnel with the opportunity to experience Japanese traditions firsthand. The students learned how to politely partake of tea and refreshments and how to prepare and serve the matcha, which is a powdered green tea commonly served at tea ceremonies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon)

Dave Rublin plays the bass guitar during the headlining concert of the 22nd Annual Camp Hansen Festival Sept. 3 aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. The festival is hosted annually aboard Camp Hansen and is one of the quarterly events that strengthens the relationship between Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement personnel. More than 12,855 attendees enjoyed food, games, rides and live entertainment by several artists, ending with the headlining band, American Authors. Rublin is a bass guitarist with American Authors and is a Bogota, Colombia, native. - Dave Rublin plays the bass guitar during the headlining concert of the 22nd Annual Camp Hansen Festival Sept. 3 aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. The festival is hosted annually aboard Camp Hansen and is one of the quarterly events that strengthens the relationship between Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement personnel. More than 12,855 attendees enjoyed food, games, rides and live entertainment by several artists, ending with the headlining band, American Authors. Rublin is a bass guitarist with American Authors and is a Bogota, Colombia, native.

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael G. Dana, left, discusses future renovation plans for base housing with Air Force Col. Dwayne Robison Nov. 5 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The visit allowed Dana to observe the strategic resources and high readiness of Marine Corps Installations Pacific camps and facilities in daily support of operations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. It also drew attention to the importance of financial and manpower resources within MCIPAC. Dana is the deputy commandant for installations and logistics. Robison is the commanding officer of the 18th Civil Engineer Group, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base. - Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael G. Dana, left, discusses future renovation plans for base housing with Air Force Col. Dwayne Robison Nov. 5 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The visit allowed Dana to observe the strategic resources and high readiness of Marine Corps Installations Pacific camps and facilities in daily support of operations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. It also drew attention to the importance of financial and manpower resources within MCIPAC. Dana is the deputy commandant for installations and logistics. Robison is the commanding officer of the 18th Civil Engineer Group, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base.

Sgt. Major Jeffrey A. Young delivers an opening speech Sept. 11 aboard Camp Foster before the 9/11 Remembrance Run. The run, which was organized and coordinated by United Services Organization Okinawa and the Single Marine Program Okinawa, commemorated the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. More than 870 service members and their families participated in the five-kilometer run along a candle-lit path. Participants dressed in red, white and blue clothes to show their patriotism. Young, the sergeant major of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Japan, is a Baltimore, Maryland, native. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/ Released) - Sgt. Major Jeffrey A. Young delivers an opening speech Sept. 11 aboard Camp Foster before the 9/11 Remembrance Run. The run, which was organized and coordinated by United Services Organization Okinawa and the Single Marine Program Okinawa, commemorated the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. More than 870 service members and their families participated in the five-kilometer run along a candle-lit path. Participants dressed in red, white and blue clothes to show their patriotism. Young, the sergeant major of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Japan, is a Baltimore, Maryland, native. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/ Released)