Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall, left, is greeted by Col. James G. Flynn during Kendall’s visit to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma July 31. Kendall visited MCAS Futenma and received aerial tours of other Marine Corps installations on Okinawa to gain a better understanding of the issues associated with consolidation and realignment efforts. Flynn is the commanding officer of MCAS Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. - Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall, left, is greeted by Col. James G. Flynn during Kendall’s visit to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma July 31. Kendall visited MCAS Futenma and received aerial tours of other Marine Corps installations on Okinawa to gain a better understanding of the issues associated with consolidation and realignment efforts. Flynn is the commanding officer of MCAS Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific.

Gary Sinise sings during the Lt. Dan Band’s performance July 6 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The band played covers of songs ranging from classic hits to current chart-toppers. Sinise is the bassist for the band. Photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie M. Rostran - Gary Sinise sings during the Lt. Dan Band’s performance July 6 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The band played covers of songs ranging from classic hits to current chart-toppers. Sinise is the bassist for the band. Photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie M. Rostran

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)

Staff Sgt. Jared S. Watson prepares to fire an M240D medium machine gun at a target on range W-176 March 27 from the back of an MV-22B Osprey during an aerial gunnery training exercise about 25 miles off the coast of Okinawa. During the exercise, Marines fired medium machine guns off the loading ramp of two Ospreys, engaging the same targets from different angles. Watson is a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Staff Sgt. Jared S. Watson prepares to fire an M240D medium machine gun at a target on range W-176 March 27 from the back of an MV-22B Osprey during an aerial gunnery training exercise about 25 miles off the coast of Okinawa. During the exercise, Marines fired medium machine guns off the loading ramp of two Ospreys, engaging the same targets from different angles. Watson is a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Lance Cpl. Devon B. Springer walks away from an MV-22B Osprey after taking a photo with Okinawa community members during a family day hosted by Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 March 3 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The family day was held to familiarize more than 300 parents and children from the community with the aircraft and safety equipment and provide an opportunity to ask questions about the aircraft and its capabilities. Springer is a flight equipment technician with VMM-265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Devon B. Springer walks away from an MV-22B Osprey after taking a photo with Okinawa community members during a family day hosted by Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 March 3 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The family day was held to familiarize more than 300 parents and children from the community with the aircraft and safety equipment and provide an opportunity to ask questions about the aircraft and its capabilities. Springer is a flight equipment technician with VMM-265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Elena Takaho, serving as an interpreter, explains the capabilities and mechanics of the MV-22B Osprey to Japan Air Self-Defense Force members Feb. 21 during a tour of the Marine Aircraft Group 36 hangar on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The JASDF members also received a presentation on MAG-36’s mission and visited the flight control tower. Takaho is a community relations specialist with MCAS Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. - Elena Takaho, serving as an interpreter, explains the capabilities and mechanics of the MV-22B Osprey to Japan Air Self-Defense Force members Feb. 21 during a tour of the Marine Aircraft Group 36 hangar on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The JASDF members also received a presentation on MAG-36’s mission and visited the flight control tower. Takaho is a community relations specialist with MCAS Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific.

Cpl. Cody Norville crosses the finish line of the 36th Annual Ginowan City Relay Race Jan. 26 at gate 4 of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The race encompassed 14 kilometers, circling the perimeter of MCAS Futenma. Runners promoted traffic safety in the community by obeying all traffic lights and signs while competing. Norville is an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Cpl. Cody Norville crosses the finish line of the 36th Annual Ginowan City Relay Race Jan. 26 at gate 4 of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The race encompassed 14 kilometers, circling the perimeter of MCAS Futenma. Runners promoted traffic safety in the community by obeying all traffic lights and signs while competing. Norville is an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, left, thanks Col. John C. Wright for his 40 years of service during Wright’s retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Nov. 29. Talleri is the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. Wright is the chief of staff of MCIPAC. - Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, left, thanks Col. John C. Wright for his 40 years of service during Wright’s retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Nov. 29. Talleri is the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. Wright is the chief of staff of MCIPAC.

Marines drain lubricants from the engine of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter in preparation for storage Nov. 2 as part of the transition to the MV-22B Osprey at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The Marines are helicopter power plants mechanics with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines drain lubricants from the engine of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter in preparation for storage Nov. 2 as part of the transition to the MV-22B Osprey at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The Marines are helicopter power plants mechanics with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Lt. Col. Darin J. Clarke holds up the championship trophy at the 2nd annual super squadron competition at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Oct. 26. Clarke's unit, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, earned the most points throughout 10 rigorous events to claim first place. Clarke is the commanding officer of MWSS-172. - Lt. Col. Darin J. Clarke holds up the championship trophy at the 2nd annual super squadron competition at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Oct. 26. Clarke's unit, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, earned the most points throughout 10 rigorous events to claim first place. Clarke is the commanding officer of MWSS-172.