Heidi Murkoff, left, answers questions at Special Delivery, Aug. 9 at the USO on Kadena Air Base. Special Delivery is a USO and What to Expect Foundation-sponsored event for expectant mothers in the military community on Okinawa. Murkoff and the USO created the event, so mothers could have an opportunity to bond and have their maternity and infancy questions answered. Murkoff is the New York Times’ best-selling author of the “What to Expect” series. Photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie M. Rostran - Heidi Murkoff, left, answers questions at Special Delivery, Aug. 9 at the USO on Kadena Air Base. Special Delivery is a USO and What to Expect Foundation-sponsored event for expectant mothers in the military community on Okinawa. Murkoff and the USO created the event, so mothers could have an opportunity to bond and have their maternity and infancy questions answered. Murkoff is the New York Times’ best-selling author of the “What to Expect” series. Photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie M. Rostran
Mongolian Armed Forces soldiers salute during the opening ceremony of Exercise Khaan Quest in Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia, August 3, 2013. Khaan Quest is an annual multinational exercise sponsored by the U.S. and Mongolia, and it is designed to strengthen the capabilities of U.S., Mongolian and other nations’ forces in international peace support operations. - Mongolian Armed Forces soldiers salute during the opening ceremony of Exercise Khaan Quest in Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia, August 3, 2013. Khaan Quest is an annual multinational exercise sponsored by the U.S. and Mongolia, and it is designed to strengthen the capabilities of U.S., Mongolian and other nations’ forces in international peace support operations.
Ayano Murakami, left, and Miki Sugawara swim with Marine families Aug. 4 at the 50-meter pool on Camp Foster during the luau pool party. The party was part of the 3rd annual Oshima youth cultural exchange program. The exchange program was established as part of the Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa Child, Youth and Teen program to promote the needs of American children and the children of Oshima. The participants are students between the ages of 13 and 18. Photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie M. Rostran - Ayano Murakami, left, and Miki Sugawara swim with Marine families Aug. 4 at the 50-meter pool on Camp Foster during the luau pool party. The party was part of the 3rd annual Oshima youth cultural exchange program. The exchange program was established as part of the Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa Child, Youth and Teen program to promote the needs of American children and the children of Oshima. The participants are students between the ages of 13 and 18. Photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie M. Rostran
An MV-22B Osprey taxis behind a CH-46E Sea Knight Helicopter after its arrival at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Aug. 3. Two Osprey aircraft, part of the second Osprey squadron to Japan, flew from MCAS Iwakuni. The arrival of the second Osprey squadron will complete the one-for-one replacement of the older CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters on Okinawa. The Osprey can fly twice as fast, carry three times the payload, and fly four times the distance of the older CH-46E. Its capabilities significantly benefit the U.S.-Japan alliance and strengthen III Marine Expeditionary Force’s ability to provide for the defense of Japan and perform humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions. The aircraft are part of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Manning/Released) - An MV-22B Osprey taxis behind a CH-46E Sea Knight Helicopter after its arrival at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Aug. 3. Two Osprey aircraft, part of the second Osprey squadron to Japan, flew from MCAS Iwakuni. The arrival of the second Osprey squadron will complete the one-for-one replacement of the older CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters on Okinawa. The Osprey can fly twice as fast, carry three times the payload, and fly four times the distance of the older CH-46E. Its capabilities significantly benefit the U.S.-Japan alliance and strengthen III Marine Expeditionary Force’s ability to provide for the defense of Japan and perform humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions. The aircraft are part of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Manning/Released)
A sign attached to a bicycle reminds riders that helmets are required when riding on military installations. While participating in summer activities, safety must be implemented by using personal protective equipment such as helmets. PPE provides an invaluable source of protection to minimize injury, according to Aaron M. Davis, the supervisory occupational safety and health specialist with the Installation Safety Office, Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Ranum/Released) - A sign attached to a bicycle reminds riders that helmets are required when riding on military installations. While participating in summer activities, safety must be implemented by using personal protective equipment such as helmets. PPE provides an invaluable source of protection to minimize injury, according to Aaron M. Davis, the supervisory occupational safety and health specialist with the Installation Safety Office, Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Ranum/Released)
Itsuki Otani plays pool as part of the 3rd annual Oshima youth cultural exchange program July 31 at the Kishaba Youth Center on Camp Foster. The program brings teens affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami from Oshima Island to Camp Foster to experience American culture. The participants are students between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. For some, this year’s exchange marks their second or third year participating in the exchange. Otani is a 17-year-old participant in the program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie M. Rostran/Released) - Itsuki Otani plays pool as part of the 3rd annual Oshima youth cultural exchange program July 31 at the Kishaba Youth Center on Camp Foster. The program brings teens affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami from Oshima Island to Camp Foster to experience American culture. The participants are students between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. For some, this year’s exchange marks their second or third year participating in the exchange. Otani is a 17-year-old participant in the program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie M. Rostran/Released)
Cpl. Angie Pazmino, right, practices approaching a bayonet-armed assailant July 24 at Camp Foster during a martial arts instructor course. The course, facilitated by the Marine Corps martial arts program's Martial Arts Center for Excellence, helped Marines attain the next level of MCMAP training, as well as added to their repertoire of leadership techniques, according to Pazmino, a student of the MACE’s mobile training team. second-degree black belt course and ground-training noncommissioned officer with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders - Cpl. Angie Pazmino, right, practices approaching a bayonet-armed assailant July 24 at Camp Foster during a martial arts instructor course. The course, facilitated by the Marine Corps martial arts program's Martial Arts Center for Excellence, helped Marines attain the next level of MCMAP training, as well as added to their repertoire of leadership techniques, according to Pazmino, a student of the MACE’s mobile training team. second-degree black belt course and ground-training noncommissioned officer with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders
Japanese and American students participate in a water-balloon distance toss during the Kid Olympics July 27 at Camp Courtney. The Kid Olympics gave Japanese and American students the opportunity to partner with one another and share a day of fun. The event featured numerous sporting activities and opportunities for students from different cultures to connect. Photo by Lance Cpl. John S. Gargano - Japanese and American students participate in a water-balloon distance toss during the Kid Olympics July 27 at Camp Courtney. The Kid Olympics gave Japanese and American students the opportunity to partner with one another and share a day of fun. The event featured numerous sporting activities and opportunities for students from different cultures to connect. Photo by Lance Cpl. John S. Gargano
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos addresses Marines and sailors at the Camp Schwab Theater here July 18. Amos, along with Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett, discussed the importance of maintaining force readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. Amos and Barrett are scheduled to attend the III Marine Expeditionary Force change of command July 19 where Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler will assume command from Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose D. Lujano/Released) - Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos addresses Marines and sailors at the Camp Schwab Theater here July 18. Amos, along with Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett, discussed the importance of maintaining force readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. Amos and Barrett are scheduled to attend the III Marine Expeditionary Force change of command July 19 where Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler will assume command from Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose D. Lujano/Released)