Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Maj. Arata Hamaguchi participates in simulated explosive ordnance disposal training June 19 at the Combined Arms Training the Center Camp Fuji, Japan. Hamaguchi is the assistant command sergeant major for the JGSDF’s Western Army Medical unit. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Maj. Arata Hamaguchi participates in simulated explosive ordnance disposal training June 19 at the Combined Arms Training the Center Camp Fuji, Japan. Hamaguchi is the assistant command sergeant major for the JGSDF’s Western Army Medical unit.

Japan Self-Defense Force members, Numazu residents, and U.S. Marines pull a rope during the annual Dragnet Festival June 1 at Numazu Beach, Japan. The event was centered on the Japanese tradition of dragnet fishing in which a massive net is towed into Suruga Bay and then dragged inland by hand. The festival brings JSDF members, prefectural residents and Marines together for a day of fun at the beach where they enjoyed fresh seafood, played games, and relaxed on the beach, according to Col. Blake M. Wilson, the commanding officer of Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji. - Japan Self-Defense Force members, Numazu residents, and U.S. Marines pull a rope during the annual Dragnet Festival June 1 at Numazu Beach, Japan. The event was centered on the Japanese tradition of dragnet fishing in which a massive net is towed into Suruga Bay and then dragged inland by hand. The festival brings JSDF members, prefectural residents and Marines together for a day of fun at the beach where they enjoyed fresh seafood, played games, and relaxed on the beach, according to Col. Blake M. Wilson, the commanding officer of Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji.

Wasaku Tatsumichi, right, demonstrates for Pfc. Michael Cancel, left, how to properly plant rice May 4 at Tatsumichi’s rice field in Gotemba, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. Cancel, along with approximately 20 other Marines assigned to Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, volunteered to help Tatsumichi plant his rice for the spring. The event benefited both Tatsumichi and the Marines because he got his field planted quickly, and the Marines experienced what it is like to be a Japanese rice farmer for the day. Tatsumichi is a member of the Fuji U.S.-Japan Friendship Association and a rice farmer. Cancel is a motor vehicle operator with Headquarters Company, CATC Camp Fuji.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released) - Wasaku Tatsumichi, right, demonstrates for Pfc. Michael Cancel, left, how to properly plant rice May 4 at Tatsumichi’s rice field in Gotemba, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. Cancel, along with approximately 20 other Marines assigned to Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, volunteered to help Tatsumichi plant his rice for the spring. The event benefited both Tatsumichi and the Marines because he got his field planted quickly, and the Marines experienced what it is like to be a Japanese rice farmer for the day. Tatsumichi is a member of the Fuji U.S.-Japan Friendship Association and a rice farmer. Cancel is a motor vehicle operator with Headquarters Company, CATC Camp Fuji. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released)

Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri speaks to Marines and sailors April 18 during a visit to the Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan. Talleri made the visit following the installation’s recent successful inspection as part of the commanding general’s inspection program. Talleri is the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific. Photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released) - Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri speaks to Marines and sailors April 18 during a visit to the Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan. Talleri made the visit following the installation’s recent successful inspection as part of the commanding general’s inspection program. Talleri is the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific. Photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released)

TAMA HILLS RECREATION AREA, Japan – Cpl. Maria J. Maganasaldivar blindly searches for scattered objects with the help of her fellow Marines April 5 at Tama Hills Recreation Area near Yokota Air Base, Japan. The goal of the exercise was to collect objects while blindfolded and listening to instructions from another participant who is receiving hand-and-arm signals from other participants. Marines and sailors spent three days participating in a chaplain’s religious enrichment development operation which aims to provide tools for effective leadership by identifying means to develop greater teamwork and unit cohesion through team-building skills. Maganasaldivar is an ammunition technician with Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - TAMA HILLS RECREATION AREA, Japan – Cpl. Maria J. Maganasaldivar blindly searches for scattered objects with the help of her fellow Marines April 5 at Tama Hills Recreation Area near Yokota Air Base, Japan. The goal of the exercise was to collect objects while blindfolded and listening to instructions from another participant who is receiving hand-and-arm signals from other participants. Marines and sailors spent three days participating in a chaplain’s religious enrichment development operation which aims to provide tools for effective leadership by identifying means to develop greater teamwork and unit cohesion through team-building skills. Maganasaldivar is an ammunition technician with Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus talks with Marines and sailors Feb. 20 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji. During his visit, Mabus discussed potential impacts of sequestration, the ongoing drawdown of U.S. forces and the importance of the U.S. military’s presence and activities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. - Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus talks with Marines and sailors Feb. 20 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji. During his visit, Mabus discussed potential impacts of sequestration, the ongoing drawdown of U.S. forces and the importance of the U.S. military’s presence and activities throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Pfc. Aaron J. Padilla uses a mallet to make mochi Dec. 21 during the Takagahara Garrison's mochitsuki ceremony. The event allowed Marines to build relationships with the local community and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Padilla is an engineer equipment operator with Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji's Headquarters Battalion. - Pfc. Aaron J. Padilla uses a mallet to make mochi Dec. 21 during the Takagahara Garrison's mochitsuki ceremony. The event allowed Marines to build relationships with the local community and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Padilla is an engineer equipment operator with Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji's Headquarters Battalion.

Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Bauer, left, and Maj. John P. Arnold pilot an MV-22 Containerized Flight Training Device at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma recently. Arnold is the officer in charge of Marine Aviation Training Systems Site Futenma. Bauer is the site's staff noncommissioned officer in charge. - Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Bauer, left, and Maj. John P. Arnold pilot an MV-22 Containerized Flight Training Device at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma recently. Arnold is the officer in charge of Marine Aviation Training Systems Site Futenma. Bauer is the site's staff noncommissioned officer in charge.

Members of the Shizuoka prefecture, Japan Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines load supplies into a Humvee during the Shizuoka disaster drill at the Shizuoka airport Sept. 2. The Marines are from the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji. - Members of the Shizuoka prefecture, Japan Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines load supplies into a Humvee during the Shizuoka disaster drill at the Shizuoka airport Sept. 2. The Marines are from the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji.