Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Ryota Hasebe attached to 3rd Battalion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for two months starting Jan. 11 and ending March 13. During those two months Hasebe learned about U.S. Marine Corps Artillery and went to Twentynine Palms, California for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Hasebe, 28, studied Chinese Literature and graduated from Kokugakuin University in Tokyo before joining the JGSDF in 2011. Hasebe is now the battalion fire direction control officer for 1st Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment in Fukuoka Japan. - Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Ryota Hasebe attached to 3rd Battalion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for two months starting Jan. 11 and ending March 13. During those two months Hasebe learned about U.S. Marine Corps Artillery and went to Twentynine Palms, California for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Hasebe, 28, studied Chinese Literature and graduated from Kokugakuin University in Tokyo before joining the JGSDF in 2011. Hasebe is now the battalion fire direction control officer for 1st Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment in Fukuoka Japan.

Lance Cpl. Christian J. Hernandez cleans the breach of a M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Jan. 30 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercise 2-15 to keep the weapon firing properly. The howitzer is capable of firing high explosive, illuminating, smoke and satellite guided rounds. Hernandez, a Buford, Georgia, native, is a cannoneer with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for ITX 2-15 as part of the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 4. - Lance Cpl. Christian J. Hernandez cleans the breach of a M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Jan. 30 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercise 2-15 to keep the weapon firing properly. The howitzer is capable of firing high explosive, illuminating, smoke and satellite guided rounds. Hernandez, a Buford, Georgia, native, is a cannoneer with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for ITX 2-15 as part of the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 4.

Marines fire an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzers June 15 at Warrior Base, Munsan, South Korea, during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-7. KMEP 14-7 is one iteration in a series of continuous, combined training exercises designed to enhance the ROK-U.S. alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula, and strengthen the ROK-U.S. military capabilities and interoperability. The Marines are with Battery K, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines fire an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzers June 15 at Warrior Base, Munsan, South Korea, during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-7. KMEP 14-7 is one iteration in a series of continuous, combined training exercises designed to enhance the ROK-U.S. alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula, and strengthen the ROK-U.S. military capabilities and interoperability. The Marines are with Battery K, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.