Marines launch their Assault Amphibious Vehicle from the hull of the USS Germantown (LSD 42) Nov. 2 during exercise Blue Chromite 15. Blue Chromite demonstrates the Navy and Marine Corps’ amphibious and expeditionary capabilities from the sea. The Marines are with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines launch their Assault Amphibious Vehicle from the hull of the USS Germantown (LSD 42) Nov. 2 during exercise Blue Chromite 15. Blue Chromite demonstrates the Navy and Marine Corps’ amphibious and expeditionary capabilities from the sea. The Marines are with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 2nd Lt. Kyohei Aikawa, left, observes machine gun targets pointed out by U.S. Marine Sgt. David C. Nicol May 8 in the Central Training Area during a quarterly Marine Corps common skills training evolution specifically designed for bulk fuel specialists. Aikawa is currently taking part in the Japan Observer Exchange Program, which allows JGSDF service members to spend time with U.S. Marines. Aikawa was observing Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, as they trained with medium machine guns to provide their own security in a combat environment. Aikawa is a combat engineer officer with 2nd Division, 2nd Engineer Battalion, headquartered in Hokkaido, Japan. Nicol is a squad leader and bulk fuel specialist with Bulk Fuel Headquarters Company, 9th ESB, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 2nd Lt. Kyohei Aikawa, left, observes machine gun targets pointed out by U.S. Marine Sgt. David C. Nicol May 8 in the Central Training Area during a quarterly Marine Corps common skills training evolution specifically designed for bulk fuel specialists. Aikawa is currently taking part in the Japan Observer Exchange Program, which allows JGSDF service members to spend time with U.S. Marines. Aikawa was observing Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, as they trained with medium machine guns to provide their own security in a combat environment. Aikawa is a combat engineer officer with 2nd Division, 2nd Engineer Battalion, headquartered in Hokkaido, Japan. Nicol is a squad leader and bulk fuel specialist with Bulk Fuel Headquarters Company, 9th ESB, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.