- Emergency responders escort a simulated evacuee to safety during a bilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise Jan. 29 at Camp Hansen. The exercise scenario, which was the first of its kind on Camp Hansen, was based on the aftermath of a devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Once safely on Camp Hansen, emergency responders would triage injuries and care for the wounded. Evacuees were brought aboard Camp Hansen by bus, ambulance and an Okinawa Prefectural Police helicopter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Manning/Released) - - Emergency responders escort a simulated evacuee to safety during a bilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise Jan. 29 at Camp Hansen. The exercise scenario, which was the first of its kind on Camp Hansen, was based on the aftermath of a devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Once safely on Camp Hansen, emergency responders would triage injuries and care for the wounded. Evacuees were brought aboard Camp Hansen by bus, ambulance and an Okinawa Prefectural Police helicopter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Manning/Released)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, center left, recieves a briefing about the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft Jan. 19 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Larry G. Brown, left, Col. Brian W. Cavanaugh, center right, and Brig. Gen. Steven R. Rudder. Sugiyama is the commanding general of the JASDF’s Southwestern Composite Air Division. Rudder is the commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Cavanaugh is the commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st MAW. Brown is the commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, MAG-36. - Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Yoshiyuki Sugiyama, center left, recieves a briefing about the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft Jan. 19 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Larry G. Brown, left, Col. Brian W. Cavanaugh, center right, and Brig. Gen. Steven R. Rudder. Sugiyama is the commanding general of the JASDF’s Southwestern Composite Air Division. Rudder is the commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Cavanaugh is the commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st MAW. Brown is the commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, MAG-36.

Mayor Tetsuji Matsumoto and Maj. Gen. Charles L. Hudson sign a local implementation agreement Jan. 17 at Camp Kinser. The agreement specifies procedures for the evacuation of Okinawa residents in the event of a natural disaster, and the provisions for evacuation drills to maintain readiness. The agreement allows the residents of Urasoe City immediate and direct passage to higher ground or shelter via routes that pass through designated parts of the installation. The agreement helps maintain the strong relationship between the citizens and military personnel through their common goal to create a safer, more prepared community, according to Hudson. Matsumoto is the mayor of Urasoe City and Maj. Gen. Charles L. Hudson is the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth A. Case/Released) - Mayor Tetsuji Matsumoto and Maj. Gen. Charles L. Hudson sign a local implementation agreement Jan. 17 at Camp Kinser. The agreement specifies procedures for the evacuation of Okinawa residents in the event of a natural disaster, and the provisions for evacuation drills to maintain readiness. The agreement allows the residents of Urasoe City immediate and direct passage to higher ground or shelter via routes that pass through designated parts of the installation. The agreement helps maintain the strong relationship between the citizens and military personnel through their common goal to create a safer, more prepared community, according to Hudson. Matsumoto is the mayor of Urasoe City and Maj. Gen. Charles L. Hudson is the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth A. Case/Released)

Capt. Carl E. McCrory briefs students from Soka University of America during an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft static display Jan. 16 at the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 hangar at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. During the visit, the students asked questions about U.S.-Japan military and government relations to facilitate an understanding from personal experience. McCrory is a pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Cpl. Terry Brady - Capt. Carl E. McCrory briefs students from Soka University of America during an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft static display Jan. 16 at the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 hangar at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. During the visit, the students asked questions about U.S.-Japan military and government relations to facilitate an understanding from personal experience. McCrory is a pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Cpl. Terry Brady

Helicopters prepare to lift off after receiving fuel and ammunition Jan. 16 at Kadena Air Base. The morning flights were simple weapons deployment systems familiarization tests, according to Staff Sgt. Daniel Basan, a crew chief and weapons and tactics instructor. The tests allowed the crew to practice its remedial actions on the door guns and enabled the pilots to prepare for the more advanced flying, which includes assault formations and tactical positioning. The aircraft and Marines are with HMLA-367, currently assigned to VMM-265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, III MEF. - Helicopters prepare to lift off after receiving fuel and ammunition Jan. 16 at Kadena Air Base. The morning flights were simple weapons deployment systems familiarization tests, according to Staff Sgt. Daniel Basan, a crew chief and weapons and tactics instructor. The tests allowed the crew to practice its remedial actions on the door guns and enabled the pilots to prepare for the more advanced flying, which includes assault formations and tactical positioning. The aircraft and Marines are with HMLA-367, currently assigned to VMM-265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, III MEF.

A Marine with 3rd LE Bn. prepares to return fire Jan. 16 during MOUT training in the Central Training Area. During the training event, Marines used simulated rounds to mimic combat operations in a controlled environment. - A Marine with 3rd LE Bn. prepares to return fire Jan. 16 during MOUT training in the Central Training Area. During the training event, Marines used simulated rounds to mimic combat operations in a controlled environment.

The staff and residents of Hikarigaoka nursing home form a substance known as mochi, with service members of 7th Communication Battalion Jan. 17 in Kin Town. Eating mochi is thought to promote good health, longevity and prosperity over the course of the New Year. The service members are with 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - The staff and residents of Hikarigaoka nursing home form a substance known as mochi, with service members of 7th Communication Battalion Jan. 17 in Kin Town. Eating mochi is thought to promote good health, longevity and prosperity over the course of the New Year. The service members are with 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.