Mikako Miyagi, left, relays information about the MV-22B Osprey to members of the Osprey Fan Club July 10 on the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Miyagi is the president of the fan club. Photo by Lance Cpl. John S. Gargano - Mikako Miyagi, left, relays information about the MV-22B Osprey to members of the Osprey Fan Club July 10 on the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Miyagi is the president of the fan club. Photo by Lance Cpl. John S. Gargano

Maj. Gen. Christopher S. Owens, right, passes the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing colors to Brig. Gen. Steven R. Rudder July 9 during the 1st MAW change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Owens will become the commanding general of U.S. Marine Forces Korea and the assistant chief of staff, C/J-5 plans, policy and strategy, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea. Rudder’s previous assignment was at Headquarters Marine Corps where he served as the legislative assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps. 1st MAW is part of III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donald T. Peterson/Released) - Maj. Gen. Christopher S. Owens, right, passes the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing colors to Brig. Gen. Steven R. Rudder July 9 during the 1st MAW change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Owens will become the commanding general of U.S. Marine Forces Korea and the assistant chief of staff, C/J-5 plans, policy and strategy, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea. Rudder’s previous assignment was at Headquarters Marine Corps where he served as the legislative assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps. 1st MAW is part of III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donald T. Peterson/Released)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James B. Hecker, right, addresses the audience after awarding the Air Force Achievement Medal to Staff Sgt. Benjamin G. Whalen July 8 at the 18th Wing Headquarters on Kadena Air Base. Whalen was awarded for rescuing a 14-year-old boy at the Hagerstrom Pool on the air base. Hecker is the commanding general of the 18th Wing. Whalen is the communications navigations staff noncommissioned officer in charge with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Cpl. Alyssa N. Gunton - U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James B. Hecker, right, addresses the audience after awarding the Air Force Achievement Medal to Staff Sgt. Benjamin G. Whalen July 8 at the 18th Wing Headquarters on Kadena Air Base. Whalen was awarded for rescuing a 14-year-old boy at the Hagerstrom Pool on the air base. Hecker is the commanding general of the 18th Wing. Whalen is the communications navigations staff noncommissioned officer in charge with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Cpl. Alyssa N. Gunton

Marines with Force Reconnaissance Company fast-rope from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter July 2 at Landing Zone Phoenix on Camp Schwab. The company is with III Marine Expeditionary Force, and the helicopter and crew are with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF. - Marines with Force Reconnaissance Company fast-rope from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter July 2 at Landing Zone Phoenix on Camp Schwab. The company is with III Marine Expeditionary Force, and the helicopter and crew are with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF.

Ginowan City and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma officials pose for a photo next to evacuation route signs June 26 on MCAS Futenma. The leaders met to sign a bilateral agreement specifying procedures for evacuating Okinawa residents through the air station in the event of a natural disaster. The procedures also set the groundwork for future evacuation drills aboard the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth A. Case/Released) - Ginowan City and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma officials pose for a photo next to evacuation route signs June 26 on MCAS Futenma. The leaders met to sign a bilateral agreement specifying procedures for evacuating Okinawa residents through the air station in the event of a natural disaster. The procedures also set the groundwork for future evacuation drills aboard the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth A. Case/Released)

Distinguished representatives of the government of Japan board an MV-22B Osprey June 5 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The representatives visited MCAS Futenma for a luncheon, tour and viewing of a static display of an MV-22B Osprey. The representatives came to deepen their understanding of the mission and purpose of MCAS Futenma and the Osprey. The members consisted of Ryota Takeda the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Security; Akira Sato the parliamentary vice minister of the Ministry of Defense, 13 members from the House of Representatives of Japan and 13 other Government of Japan officials. - Distinguished representatives of the government of Japan board an MV-22B Osprey June 5 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The representatives visited MCAS Futenma for a luncheon, tour and viewing of a static display of an MV-22B Osprey. The representatives came to deepen their understanding of the mission and purpose of MCAS Futenma and the Osprey. The members consisted of Ryota Takeda the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Security; Akira Sato the parliamentary vice minister of the Ministry of Defense, 13 members from the House of Representatives of Japan and 13 other Government of Japan officials.

Personal mementos symbolize the respect generations of service members have paid during their visit to the summit of Mount Suribachi, located on Iwo To. Suribachi is where five Marines and a Navy corpsman famously raised the American flag, signaling the successful seizure of the northern end of the island. Photo by Lance Cpl. Terry Brady - Personal mementos symbolize the respect generations of service members have paid during their visit to the summit of Mount Suribachi, located on Iwo To. Suribachi is where five Marines and a Navy corpsman famously raised the American flag, signaling the successful seizure of the northern end of the island. Photo by Lance Cpl. Terry Brady

CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter 03 departs Marine Corps Air Station Futenma for the last time May 20. CH-46E-03 with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 was decommissioned and flown to Camp Kinser where it will be stored awaiting further disposition. HMM-262 is part of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey - CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter 03 departs Marine Corps Air Station Futenma for the last time May 20. CH-46E-03 with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 was decommissioned and flown to Camp Kinser where it will be stored awaiting further disposition. HMM-262 is part of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey