Marines and sailors visit the Fuji Shengen Shrine Feb. 4 as part of a cultural tour during Artillery Relocation Training Program 13-4. The service members visited several unique locations to gain insight about Japanese culture. The service members are with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines and sailors visit the Fuji Shengen Shrine Feb. 4 as part of a cultural tour during Artillery Relocation Training Program 13-4. The service members visited several unique locations to gain insight about Japanese culture. The service members are with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Kurt Tong, left, retired Lt. Gen. Lawrence F. Snowden, middle, and Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, pay respects at the Reunion of Honor memorial March 19 during the annual Reunion of Honor ceremony. This year’s ceremony commemorated the 69th anniversary of the battle on Iwo To, formerly known as Iwo Jima, Japan. "When I founded the Joint Reunion of Honor in 1995, it was my intention that it was for that year only," said Snowden, the oldest surviving U.S. Marine of the battle. "It was such a success that we have been doing it each year since." Tong is Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy. - Kurt Tong, left, retired Lt. Gen. Lawrence F. Snowden, middle, and Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, pay respects at the Reunion of Honor memorial March 19 during the annual Reunion of Honor ceremony. This year’s ceremony commemorated the 69th anniversary of the battle on Iwo To, formerly known as Iwo Jima, Japan. "When I founded the Joint Reunion of Honor in 1995, it was my intention that it was for that year only," said Snowden, the oldest surviving U.S. Marine of the battle. "It was such a success that we have been doing it each year since." Tong is Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy.

Marines execute fast roping out of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft March 12 during training at Camp Schwab, Okinawa. With this technique Marines can execute tactical insertions where rotary aircraft landings are impractical, according to Marine Corps Reference Publication 3-11.4A. The Marines are with Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines execute fast roping out of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft March 12 during training at Camp Schwab, Okinawa. With this technique Marines can execute tactical insertions where rotary aircraft landings are impractical, according to Marine Corps Reference Publication 3-11.4A. The Marines are with Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Cpl. Brandon K. Moore, right, receives the Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device from Maj. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III March 14 during a ceremony at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. “Moore was given the opportunity to lead his squad,” said Clardy. “He stepped up and got it done.” Moore is a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Clardy is the commanding general of 3rd Marine Division. - Cpl. Brandon K. Moore, right, receives the Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device from Maj. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III March 14 during a ceremony at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. “Moore was given the opportunity to lead his squad,” said Clardy. “He stepped up and got it done.” Moore is a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Clardy is the commanding general of 3rd Marine Division.

Kojin Chibana, right, applauds Lance Cpl. Steven T. Danisi, left, during an award ceremony Feb. 26 at the Okinawa Police Station in Okinawa City. Danisi was one of six Marines to receive an award for their immediate response to the Jan. 13 wreck that occurred near Zukeran Elementary School in Kitanakagusuku Village. Chibana is the chief of the Okinawa Police Station. Danisi is an accident investigator with the accident investigation section, Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Hiroko Tamaki) - Kojin Chibana, right, applauds Lance Cpl. Steven T. Danisi, left, during an award ceremony Feb. 26 at the Okinawa Police Station in Okinawa City. Danisi was one of six Marines to receive an award for their immediate response to the Jan. 13 wreck that occurred near Zukeran Elementary School in Kitanakagusuku Village. Chibana is the chief of the Okinawa Police Station. Danisi is an accident investigator with the accident investigation section, Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Hiroko Tamaki)

Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines take part in the Combined Marine Component Command exercise during Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise 2014 at the 1st ROK Marine Corps Division Base in Pohang, Republic of Korea March 18. The focus of MEFEX is to enhance interoperability and expeditionary command and control relationships between the U.S. Marine air-ground task force and the ROK Marine task force while honing the amphibious capabilities of each nation. MEFEX is a tribute to the maturity of the ROK-U.S. relationship and the combined ability to operate across the range of military operations. - Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines take part in the Combined Marine Component Command exercise during Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise 2014 at the 1st ROK Marine Corps Division Base in Pohang, Republic of Korea March 18. The focus of MEFEX is to enhance interoperability and expeditionary command and control relationships between the U.S. Marine air-ground task force and the ROK Marine task force while honing the amphibious capabilities of each nation. MEFEX is a tribute to the maturity of the ROK-U.S. relationship and the combined ability to operate across the range of military operations.

Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines practice casualty transport techniques March 5 during a combat lifesaver course at Warrior Base in the Republic of Korea. The five-day course taught students various ways to treat common battlefield injuries. The ROK Marines are with 1st Battalion, 1st Regiment, 2nd Division. The U.S. Marines are 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony J. Kirby/Released) - Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines practice casualty transport techniques March 5 during a combat lifesaver course at Warrior Base in the Republic of Korea. The five-day course taught students various ways to treat common battlefield injuries. The ROK Marines are with 1st Battalion, 1st Regiment, 2nd Division. The U.S. Marines are 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony J. Kirby/Released)

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Bradford Tippett, right, delivers remarks to Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and service members with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, alongside JGSDF Col. Tatsuya Osaki during the opening ceremony of Exercise Forest Light 14-2 Feb. 25 at Sekiyama Training Area, Niigata prefecture, Japan. Tippett spoke to the group about the positive effects of bilateral training. “When (bilateral training) happens, both sides walk away better than when they started,” said Tippett. Forest Light improved the allies’ cold-weather survival skills. Tippett is the commanding officer of 3rd Bn., 1st Marines, currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Osaki is the commanding officer of 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Eastern Army. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman Jr. /Released) - U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Bradford Tippett, right, delivers remarks to Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and service members with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, alongside JGSDF Col. Tatsuya Osaki during the opening ceremony of Exercise Forest Light 14-2 Feb. 25 at Sekiyama Training Area, Niigata prefecture, Japan. Tippett spoke to the group about the positive effects of bilateral training. “When (bilateral training) happens, both sides walk away better than when they started,” said Tippett. Forest Light improved the allies’ cold-weather survival skills. Tippett is the commanding officer of 3rd Bn., 1st Marines, currently assigned to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Osaki is the commanding officer of 2nd Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Eastern Army. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman Jr. /Released)

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Maj. Satoshi Igata, left, demonstrates a disarming technique on U.S. Marine Cpl. Dajon Snead at Camp Schwab Feb. 27 during a tour of 4th Marine Regiment’s headquarters area as part of the Japan Observer Exchange Program. The Marines enjoyed the time spent with the JGSDF officer candidates participating in the program and being able to show some of the Marine Corps’ capabilities, according to Snead. Igata is an infantryman with the 11th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division, Northern Army. Snead is an intelligence specialist with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Maj. Satoshi Igata, left, demonstrates a disarming technique on U.S. Marine Cpl. Dajon Snead at Camp Schwab Feb. 27 during a tour of 4th Marine Regiment’s headquarters area as part of the Japan Observer Exchange Program. The Marines enjoyed the time spent with the JGSDF officer candidates participating in the program and being able to show some of the Marine Corps’ capabilities, according to Snead. Igata is an infantryman with the 11th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division, Northern Army. Snead is an intelligence specialist with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.