Keiichi Hirano, left, a Japanese major league baseball player pitches to a local kid during a friendly game at a baseball clinic Jan. 24 on Camp Kinser. This was the first baseball clinic held on Camp Kinser. Approximately 50 Japanese and American children participated in the event. The clinic consisted of Hirano teaching fundamental skills and techniques followed by a game. The day ended with prizes, lunch and a cake for all who participated. Hirano is with the Orix Buffaloes. - Keiichi Hirano, left, a Japanese major league baseball player pitches to a local kid during a friendly game at a baseball clinic Jan. 24 on Camp Kinser. This was the first baseball clinic held on Camp Kinser. Approximately 50 Japanese and American children participated in the event. The clinic consisted of Hirano teaching fundamental skills and techniques followed by a game. The day ended with prizes, lunch and a cake for all who participated. Hirano is with the Orix Buffaloes.

Kin Town residents leave the bases exchange Jan. 17 during Camp Hansen’s Friendship Saturday. Friendship Saturday is an event where community members are allowed on the base, unescorted but with passes, and enjoy some of the facilities on the camp. They visited various facilities including the Exchange, The Palms and bowling alley. Free balloons were handed out for children to enjoy during the event. - Kin Town residents leave the bases exchange Jan. 17 during Camp Hansen’s Friendship Saturday. Friendship Saturday is an event where community members are allowed on the base, unescorted but with passes, and enjoy some of the facilities on the camp. They visited various facilities including the Exchange, The Palms and bowling alley. Free balloons were handed out for children to enjoy during the event.

Gunnery Sgt. Shane R. Bertrand, from Ontario, Oregon, helps children put together paper pilgrim and American Indian hats Nov. 23 during the second annual Thanksgiving celebration with Tai Chu En Children’s Home at the Camp Kinser Chapel. This was the second annual Thanksgiving event with the children’s home and the Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 35. Following the crafts, the children and volunteers sat down for a Thanksgiving feast including turkey, corn and pumpkin pie. Bertrand is the logistics chief for CLR 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary. - Gunnery Sgt. Shane R. Bertrand, from Ontario, Oregon, helps children put together paper pilgrim and American Indian hats Nov. 23 during the second annual Thanksgiving celebration with Tai Chu En Children’s Home at the Camp Kinser Chapel. This was the second annual Thanksgiving event with the children’s home and the Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 35. Following the crafts, the children and volunteers sat down for a Thanksgiving feast including turkey, corn and pumpkin pie. Bertrand is the logistics chief for CLR 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary.

Students with the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and Marines compete in a friendly game of tug-of-war Nov. 2 during the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy Festival. The festival included music by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program demonstrations and a friendly competition of tug-of-war. The students attend the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and are residents of Kin Town. The band members are with III MEF band, III MEF. The Marines are with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Students with the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and Marines compete in a friendly game of tug-of-war Nov. 2 during the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy Festival. The festival included music by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program demonstrations and a friendly competition of tug-of-war. The students attend the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and are residents of Kin Town. The band members are with III MEF band, III MEF. The Marines are with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Maj. Andrew Merz, from Lansing, Michigan, talks to a Kin Town resident after the tsunami evacuation drill Nov. 5 at Camp Hansen. This was the first exercise since the local disaster response agreement was signed by Marine Corps and Kin Town officials in September. The drills improved the communication between Camp Hansen, Kin Town Officers, Ishi Kawa police and the local community leaders responsible for disaster response, according to Masaru Nago, from Kin Town. Merz is the operations officer for Camp Hansen. - Maj. Andrew Merz, from Lansing, Michigan, talks to a Kin Town resident after the tsunami evacuation drill Nov. 5 at Camp Hansen. This was the first exercise since the local disaster response agreement was signed by Marine Corps and Kin Town officials in September. The drills improved the communication between Camp Hansen, Kin Town Officers, Ishi Kawa police and the local community leaders responsible for disaster response, according to Masaru Nago, from Kin Town. Merz is the operations officer for Camp Hansen.

Chris Daughtry sings one of his hit songs “No Surprise” during a free concert Oct. 25 at the Camp Foster festival grounds. Hosting the concert, Marine Corps Community Services extended the invitation to attend to service members, their families and guests in an effort to boost the morale of the service members. Daughtry is from Lasker, North Carolina, and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Diamond N. Peden/Released) - Chris Daughtry sings one of his hit songs “No Surprise” during a free concert Oct. 25 at the Camp Foster festival grounds. Hosting the concert, Marine Corps Community Services extended the invitation to attend to service members, their families and guests in an effort to boost the morale of the service members. Daughtry is from Lasker, North Carolina, and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Diamond N. Peden/Released)

Lance Cpl. Jordan Caserta, from Ogden, Utah, levels a trail at the new Medal of Honor Endurance Course Oct. 8 on Camp Hansen. Caserta alongside other Marines with the Camp Operations Office helped maintain trails and add signs throughout the endurance course. Caserta is a bulk fuel specialist with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Jordan Caserta, from Ogden, Utah, levels a trail at the new Medal of Honor Endurance Course Oct. 8 on Camp Hansen. Caserta alongside other Marines with the Camp Operations Office helped maintain trails and add signs throughout the endurance course. Caserta is a bulk fuel specialist with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.