HIRARA CITY, MIYAKO ISLAND, Japan – Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, center-left, shakes hands with Col. Christopher B. Snyder, center-right, Sept. 6 during a day of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training on and around Miyako Island. “And today, for the first time ever, we have the U.S. military participating in this drill, and I would like to thank them for all the coordination and for participating,” Nakaima said. The drills marked the first time members of the Okinawa Prefectural Government hosted a series of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief drills with full-fledged participation by the Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. Marines. Nakaima concluded the drill by thanking all the participants for helping to raise Okinawan’s disaster response capabilities and wishing all the participating organizations his best as they continue the work of disaster preparedness in the Okinawa Prefecture. Nakaima is the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture and Snyder is the deputy commander with Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (Courtesy photo/Released) - HIRARA CITY, MIYAKO ISLAND, Japan – Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, center-left, shakes hands with Col. Christopher B. Snyder, center-right, Sept. 6 during a day of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training on and around Miyako Island. “And today, for the first time ever, we have the U.S. military participating in this drill, and I would like to thank them for all the coordination and for participating,” Nakaima said. The drills marked the first time members of the Okinawa Prefectural Government hosted a series of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief drills with full-fledged participation by the Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. Marines. Nakaima concluded the drill by thanking all the participants for helping to raise Okinawan’s disaster response capabilities and wishing all the participating organizations his best as they continue the work of disaster preparedness in the Okinawa Prefecture. Nakaima is the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture and Snyder is the deputy commander with Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (Courtesy photo/Released)

Mami Andrew instructs a mixed-level yoga class August 2 at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster. The class is one of many organized by Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa’s Semper Fit program, which recently earned the Blue-H Surgeon General’s Health Promotion and Wellness gold star award for the third consecutive year. The award committee selects programs within the Navy and Marine Corps demonstrating exceptional health and wellness standards year-round. “Health is more than strength training,” said Andrew. “We teach people how to build their minds, spirits and bodies, so that they can have more than just strong muscles.” Andrew is a yoga instructor with MCCS Okinawa. - Mami Andrew instructs a mixed-level yoga class August 2 at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster. The class is one of many organized by Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa’s Semper Fit program, which recently earned the Blue-H Surgeon General’s Health Promotion and Wellness gold star award for the third consecutive year. The award committee selects programs within the Navy and Marine Corps demonstrating exceptional health and wellness standards year-round. “Health is more than strength training,” said Andrew. “We teach people how to build their minds, spirits and bodies, so that they can have more than just strong muscles.” Andrew is a yoga instructor with MCCS Okinawa.

Commissioned officers and senior enlisted service members with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Staff College listen intently to Marine Capt. Robin D. Brewer, July 16, at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. The Okinawan sailors participated in an extensive question-and-answer-style briefing, followed by a static display of an MV 22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Before going up to the aircraft, Brewer questions the JMSDF attendees had regarding the Osprey and its capabilities. Brewer is a Tallahassee, Florida, native and an Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released) - Commissioned officers and senior enlisted service members with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Staff College listen intently to Marine Capt. Robin D. Brewer, July 16, at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. The Okinawan sailors participated in an extensive question-and-answer-style briefing, followed by a static display of an MV 22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Before going up to the aircraft, Brewer questions the JMSDF attendees had regarding the Osprey and its capabilities. Brewer is a Tallahassee, Florida, native and an Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released)

Brig. Gen. Niel E. Nelson, center, and Brig. Gen. (select) Tracy W. King, left, watch as 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct a pass in review July 18 during a change of command ceremony on Roberts Field on Camp Kinser. The event marked the end of Brig. Gen. Niel E. Nelson’s two-year rotation as commanding general of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF. Brig. Gen. (select) Tracy W. King takes command of 3rd MLG following his command of Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st MLG, I MEF. Nelson is a Genoa, Nevada, native, and King is an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released) - Brig. Gen. Niel E. Nelson, center, and Brig. Gen. (select) Tracy W. King, left, watch as 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct a pass in review July 18 during a change of command ceremony on Roberts Field on Camp Kinser. The event marked the end of Brig. Gen. Niel E. Nelson’s two-year rotation as commanding general of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF. Brig. Gen. (select) Tracy W. King takes command of 3rd MLG following his command of Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st MLG, I MEF. Nelson is a Genoa, Nevada, native, and King is an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released)

Misa Sakurabayashi, right, listens to a question-and-answer session with members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force May 15 during a tour of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Camp Schwab. The visit included a formal briefing and informal sightseeing at each installation, along with a hands-on experience in an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft flight simulator. Sakurabayashi is a defense journalist for Japan defense policy and has written numerous works concerning the Japan Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released) - Misa Sakurabayashi, right, listens to a question-and-answer session with members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force May 15 during a tour of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Camp Schwab. The visit included a formal briefing and informal sightseeing at each installation, along with a hands-on experience in an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft flight simulator. Sakurabayashi is a defense journalist for Japan defense policy and has written numerous works concerning the Japan Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released)

Mayor Masaharu Noguni, right, and Col. Katherine J. Estes sign an agreement at the Ocean Breeze here March 11 detailing the standard operating procedures for the Local Implementing Agreement. The LIA allows Camp Foster to open its gates to provide evacuees immediate and direct passage to higher ground or shelter immediately before, during or after a natural disaster. All in attendance observed a moment of silence to remember the victims and reflect upon the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which struck Japan on this date in 2011. The earthquake and tsunami are among the most destructive natural disasters in Japan’s history. The signing is a critical step to help safeguard the citizens of local communities and reaffirms the commitment of the U.S. to help its neighbors. Noguni is the mayor of Chatan, and Estes is the commanding officer of Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, and Camp Foster. - Mayor Masaharu Noguni, right, and Col. Katherine J. Estes sign an agreement at the Ocean Breeze here March 11 detailing the standard operating procedures for the Local Implementing Agreement. The LIA allows Camp Foster to open its gates to provide evacuees immediate and direct passage to higher ground or shelter immediately before, during or after a natural disaster. All in attendance observed a moment of silence to remember the victims and reflect upon the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which struck Japan on this date in 2011. The earthquake and tsunami are among the most destructive natural disasters in Japan’s history. The signing is a critical step to help safeguard the citizens of local communities and reaffirms the commitment of the U.S. to help its neighbors. Noguni is the mayor of Chatan, and Estes is the commanding officer of Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, and Camp Foster.

Gunnery Sgt. Miranda E. Brown participates in a discussion during an Equal Opportunity Representative Course March 4 held at the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster. The course taught civilians, officers and staff noncommissioned officers interested in becoming EO representatives about the responsibilities associated with the position. Brown is the operations chief with Manpower Information Systems Support Office 27, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. - Gunnery Sgt. Miranda E. Brown participates in a discussion during an Equal Opportunity Representative Course March 4 held at the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster. The course taught civilians, officers and staff noncommissioned officers interested in becoming EO representatives about the responsibilities associated with the position. Brown is the operations chief with Manpower Information Systems Support Office 27, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific.

Marines verify their checkpoints Jan. 24 at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves, during a land navigation portion of a Jungle Communications Course. The course, which began Jan. 23, covers operation of communications equipment in jungle environments, as well as basic combat techniques. The Marines are with various units within III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders - Marines verify their checkpoints Jan. 24 at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves, during a land navigation portion of a Jungle Communications Course. The course, which began Jan. 23, covers operation of communications equipment in jungle environments, as well as basic combat techniques. The Marines are with various units within III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders

Daiki Miyara waits to open gifts donated by Marines with 3rd Intelligence Battalion at the Nagomi Nursing Home for Children. 3rd Intel. Bn. is assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released) - Daiki Miyara waits to open gifts donated by Marines with 3rd Intelligence Battalion at the Nagomi Nursing Home for Children. 3rd Intel. Bn. is assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders/Released)