Members of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma English Discussion class sing “Nada Sousou” by Moriyama, a phrase meaning “large tears are falling,” in the Chapel April 24 on MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Students enjoyed a fun filled evening of local treats, singing and dancing. The party celebrated what students learned over the past year and to strengthen the local and U.S. community through culture and language. (U.S. Marine photo by Pfc. Nicole Rogge) - MCAS FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan – Members of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma English Discussion class sing “Nada Sousou” by Moriyama, a phrase meaning “large tears are falling,” in the Chapel April 24 on MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.

cut ribbon - MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan — Members of the local and military community cut a ribbon during the ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of the completion of phase two of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Revitalization Dec. 27 on MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. MCAS Futenma’s outdated infrastructure had not been updated since the early 1970s. Futenma’s revitalization increases MCIPAC’s readiness, enabling the strategic launch and recovery of military capabilities to continue to save lives and preserve regional peace, stability and security. (U.S Marine photo by Lance Corporal Tayler P. Schwamb)

MCAS FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan— Marines are served cake after the 242-mile Birthday Run on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. - MCAS FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan— Marines are served cake after the 242-mile Birthday Run on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The run was held in honor of the Marine Corps’ 242nd Birthday. Regardless of where they are this time of year, Marines everywhere pause to observe their birthday by sharing a cake and a festive meal. A sword is used to cut the cake as a reminder that Marines are a band of warriors, dedicated to carrying the sword so that our nation may live in peace and freedom.

Seaman Apprentice Ariel C. Lissauer dons her hard hat - MCAS FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan – Seaman Apprentice Ariel C. Lissauer dons her hard hat Oct. 18 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Lissauer is the mastermind behind the creation, construction and execution of this year’s MCAS Futenma’s Haunted House dedicating over 100 hours to its creation. Lissauer’s experience as a Seabee helped her with all of the manual labor required to build the maze. With the haunted house opening around the corner, Lissauer waits anxiously for the feedback from the visitors. Lissauer is a utilities constructionman with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific- Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. (U.S Marine photo by Lance Corporal Tayler P. Schwamb)

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Col. Mark Coppess, left, Ginowan City Mayor Atsushi Sakima, center, and Col. William DePue participate in the last Eisa dance during the 21st Annual Ginowan City Youth Eisa Festival Sept. 24 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. - CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Col. Mark Coppess, left, Ginowan City Mayor Atsushi Sakima, center, and Col. William DePue participate in the last Eisa dance during the 21st Annual Ginowan City Youth Eisa Festival Sept. 24 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. During the festival youth groups preformed Eisa dances that they practiced for weeks. Sakima invited the military community to participate in the festival and experience the local culture. Coppess is the commanding officer of MCAS Futenma. DePue is the camp commander of Camp Foster. (Courtesy Photo by Patrick Adams)

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Mizuho Ban recites the Noncommissioned Officers Creed with her class during their graduation of Corporal’s Course Feb. 10 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Ban travelled over 700 miles from Chitose City, Hokkaido, Japan, to attend the course with Marines, sailors and airmen. Ban is a radio communicator with 1st Electronic Warfare Unit, 2nd Direction Finding Company. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Mizuho Ban recites the Noncommissioned Officers Creed with her class during their graduation of Corporal’s Course Feb. 10 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Ban travelled over 700 miles from Chitose City, Hokkaido, Japan, to attend the course with Marines, sailors and airmen. Ban is a radio communicator with 1st Electronic Warfare Unit, 2nd Direction Finding Company.

Marines and Yokohama DeNA BayStars baseball team pose in front of an MV-22B Osprey Feb. 23 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The BayStars players and staff had the opportunity to tour an Osprey and dine at the Habu Pit. “Events like this enhance the already strong community relations MCAS Futenma enjoys with the surrounding City of Ginowan,” said Lt. Col. Bob Sweginnis, the executive officer of MCAS Futenma. “This event in particular allowed those who live and work aboard MCAS Futenma to meet and interact with professional baseball players from a prominent Japanese Big League team that conducts spring training every year in here Ginowan City, just outside the gates of Futenma.” (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jessica Collins) - Marines and Yokohama DeNA BayStars baseball team pose in front of an MV-22B Osprey Feb. 23 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The BayStars players and staff had the opportunity to tour an Osprey and dine at the Habu Pit. “Events like this enhance the already strong community relations MCAS Futenma enjoys with the surrounding City of Ginowan,” said Lt. Col. Bob Sweginnis, the executive officer of MCAS Futenma. “This event in particular allowed those who live and work aboard MCAS Futenma to meet and interact with professional baseball players from a prominent Japanese Big League team that conducts spring training every year in here Ginowan City, just outside the gates of Futenma.” (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jessica Collins)

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan – Marines pose for a group photo Jan. 21 after the Ginowan City Traffic Safety Relay Race at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The 14-kilometer race around the perimeter of MCAS Futenma was an effort by Ginowan City to raise awareness about traffic safety. The Ginowan City fire department took first and second place, with the Marines coming in third. - MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan – Marines pose for a group photo Jan. 21 after the Ginowan City Traffic Safety Relay Race at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The 14-kilometer race around the perimeter of MCAS Futenma was an effort by Ginowan City to raise awareness about traffic safety. The Ginowan City fire department took first and second place, with the Marines coming in third.

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)

Guests line up to enter the Okinawa Haunted Labyrinth Oct. 29 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The annual open-gate event welcomes Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement personnel to come together to enjoy Halloween fright, candy and food. The labyrinth is designed and hosted by the Okinawa Single Marine Program and is the largest SMP open-gate event held on Okinawa. During the event, families painted pumpkins, and collected candy. - Guests line up to enter the Okinawa Haunted Labyrinth Oct. 29 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The annual open-gate event welcomes Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement personnel to come together to enjoy Halloween fright, candy and food. The labyrinth is designed and hosted by the Okinawa Single Marine Program and is the largest SMP open-gate event held on Okinawa. During the event, families painted pumpkins, and collected candy.