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)

Cpl. Viktor Cadiente, right, calls for close air support Oct. 8 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13. KMEP familiarizes U.S. Marines with the Korean Peninsula and builds upon an existing strong relationship between Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines. Cadiente is from Honolulu, Hawaii, and is a joint fires observer with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Cpl. Viktor Cadiente, right, calls for close air support Oct. 8 at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13. KMEP familiarizes U.S. Marines with the Korean Peninsula and builds upon an existing strong relationship between Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines. Cadiente is from Honolulu, Hawaii, and is a joint fires observer with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Sgt. Alex Mendoza, left, takes accountability of Marines after debarking from a high-speed vessel July 15 at Pohang, Gyeongsang, Republic of Korea. The Marines are in South Korea to participate in Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-12. KMEP is a regularly scheduled bilateral training exercise that consists of military operations in urban terrain, combat lifesaving techniques, basic breeching and a combined arms live-fire event with ROK Marines to increase interoperability between the two forces. Mendoza is a Bronx, New York, native and an automotive maintenance technician with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Diamond N. Peden/Released) - Sgt. Alex Mendoza, left, takes accountability of Marines after debarking from a high-speed vessel July 15 at Pohang, Gyeongsang, Republic of Korea. The Marines are in South Korea to participate in Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-12. KMEP is a regularly scheduled bilateral training exercise that consists of military operations in urban terrain, combat lifesaving techniques, basic breeching and a combined arms live-fire event with ROK Marines to increase interoperability between the two forces. Mendoza is a Bronx, New York, native and an automotive maintenance technician with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Diamond N. Peden/Released)

Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines maneuver in Humvees while firing downrange during moving live-fire training June 18 as part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-8 at the Susungri Range in Pohang, South Korea. The range gave the Marines a better perspective on the difficulties of firing from moving vehicles. KMEP 14-8 is a combined, small-unit training exercise that enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. The U.S. Marines are with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. The ROK Marines are with Military Police Company, 1st ROK Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Drew Tech/Released) - Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines maneuver in Humvees while firing downrange during moving live-fire training June 18 as part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-8 at the Susungri Range in Pohang, South Korea. The range gave the Marines a better perspective on the difficulties of firing from moving vehicles. KMEP 14-8 is a combined, small-unit training exercise that enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. The U.S. Marines are with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. The ROK Marines are with Military Police Company, 1st ROK Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Rock climbing trainer Lee Sung instructs U.S. Marines and local community climbing enthusiasts to attach team markings on the back of their shirts during a community relations event at the POSCO Gymnasium Rock Climbing Sports Club in Gwangyang, Republic of Korea March 16 during exercise Freedom Banner 14. During the event the Marines and rock climbing enthusiasts paired off into groups and competed for points gained by climbing the furthest along the top of the rock wall. The Marines are with G-3, Civil Affairs Detachment, III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element. - Rock climbing trainer Lee Sung instructs U.S. Marines and local community climbing enthusiasts to attach team markings on the back of their shirts during a community relations event at the POSCO Gymnasium Rock Climbing Sports Club in Gwangyang, Republic of Korea March 16 during exercise Freedom Banner 14. During the event the Marines and rock climbing enthusiasts paired off into groups and competed for points gained by climbing the furthest along the top of the rock wall. The Marines are with G-3, Civil Affairs Detachment, III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brad L. Bailey, right, demonstrates how to properly remove mission-oriented protective posture equipment using the buddy system during chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense instruction Feb. 28 at New Mexico Live-Fire Complex, Warrior Base, Republic of Korea, as part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-2. The instruction covered various topics such as chemical detection, decontamination, and donning and shedding of a gas mask. Bailey is a CBRN defense specialist with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with 1st Company, 1st Bn., 1st Regiment, 2nd Division. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brad L. Bailey, right, demonstrates how to properly remove mission-oriented protective posture equipment using the buddy system during chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense instruction Feb. 28 at New Mexico Live-Fire Complex, Warrior Base, Republic of Korea, as part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-2. The instruction covered various topics such as chemical detection, decontamination, and donning and shedding of a gas mask. Bailey is a CBRN defense specialist with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with 1st Company, 1st Bn., 1st Regiment, 2nd Division.

Gunnery Sgt. Matthew C. Luckey provides cover while Republic of Korea Marines radio for assistance prior to a raid in an area where simulated enemy activity was spotted Jan. 22 during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-3 at the Mountain Warfare Training Camp in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. As part of KMEP, the Marines cross-trained in a multitude of cold-weather skills and missions such as skiing, assaults, patrols and raids. The raid is part of the training evolutions leading up to a 400-kilometer hike. Luckey is a platoon sergeant with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The ROK Marines are with the 1st ROK Special Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Division. Photo by Lance Cpl. Matt Myers - Gunnery Sgt. Matthew C. Luckey provides cover while Republic of Korea Marines radio for assistance prior to a raid in an area where simulated enemy activity was spotted Jan. 22 during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-3 at the Mountain Warfare Training Camp in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. As part of KMEP, the Marines cross-trained in a multitude of cold-weather skills and missions such as skiing, assaults, patrols and raids. The raid is part of the training evolutions leading up to a 400-kilometer hike. Luckey is a platoon sergeant with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The ROK Marines are with the 1st ROK Special Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Division. Photo by Lance Cpl. Matt Myers