Junya Miyagi, left, exhibits fire-retardant protective overgarments and equipment for members of the Japan coast guard July 16 at the Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler Fire Department on Camp Foster. Miyagi is the battalion chief of training, Marine Corps Installations Pacific and MCB Camp Butler Fire and Emergency Services. The members of the JCG are with Helicopter and Water Rescue Squad, 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, JCG.Photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie M. Rostran - Junya Miyagi, left, exhibits fire-retardant protective overgarments and equipment for members of the Japan coast guard July 16 at the Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler Fire Department on Camp Foster. Miyagi is the battalion chief of training, Marine Corps Installations Pacific and MCB Camp Butler Fire and Emergency Services. The members of the JCG are with Helicopter and Water Rescue Squad, 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, JCG. Photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie M. Rostran
Two teams compete in a game of tug-of-war July 13 at the Busy Bee International Japanese Elementary School during the 2nd Annual Friendship Day Picnic. “It helps bring an understanding of (Americans) to the children,” said Michael B. Martin, a volunteer at the school. “The children know the American military is here, but they don’t know much about them.” Photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey - Two teams compete in a game of tug-of-war July 13 at the Busy Bee International Japanese Elementary School during the 2nd Annual Friendship Day Picnic. “It helps bring an understanding of (Americans) to the children,” said Michael B. Martin, a volunteer at the school. “The children know the American military is here, but they don’t know much about them.” Photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey
Lance Cpl. Brandon T. Pickens, right, fires a MK19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher July 11 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, during the biannual Fuji Warrior training exercise. The purpose of the exercise is to familiarize Marines with weapons systems and combat tactics in order to build their confidence. Pickens is a landing support specialist with Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Brandon T. Pickens, right, fires a MK19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher July 11 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, during the biannual Fuji Warrior training exercise. The purpose of the exercise is to familiarize Marines with weapons systems and combat tactics in order to build their confidence. Pickens is a landing support specialist with Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Lance Cpl. Zachary A. Chastain operates an assault amphibious vehicle during a training exercise July 15 near Camp Schwab. CAB provides 3rd Marine Division with engineers, assault amphibious vehicle support, and light-armored reconnaissance, motor transportation, heavy-equipment and communications capabilities, as well as, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense assets all within one unit. Chastain is an assault amphibious vehicle crewman with AAV Company, CAB, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. - Lance Cpl. Zachary A. Chastain operates an assault amphibious vehicle during a training exercise July 15 near Camp Schwab. CAB provides 3rd Marine Division with engineers, assault amphibious vehicle support, and light-armored reconnaissance, motor transportation, heavy-equipment and communications capabilities, as well as, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense assets all within one unit. Chastain is an assault amphibious vehicle crewman with AAV Company, CAB, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF.
Lance Cpl. Joshua W. Nickson, right, shares a laugh with Masumi Oshiro July 15 during the Aqua Social Fes 2013 “Vitamin Sea.” “Community engagements such as volunteering at a nursing home or participating in a beach cleanup not only helps the local community, but also provides us the opportunity to visit different sites of the island and the chance to interact with the community,” said Nickson, a finance technician with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Joshua W. Nickson, right, shares a laugh with Masumi Oshiro July 15 during the Aqua Social Fes 2013 “Vitamin Sea.” “Community engagements such as volunteering at a nursing home or participating in a beach cleanup not only helps the local community, but also provides us the opportunity to visit different sites of the island and the chance to interact with the community,” said Nickson, a finance technician with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., right, passes the III Marine Expeditionary Force organizational colors to Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler during the III MEF change of command ceremony July 19 on Camp Foster. “To our Marines and sailors, you are a certain force in an uncertain world,” said Glueck during his farewell address. “Thanks to your unfailing leadership and commitment, III MEF will remain our nation's force of choice in the Pacific. It has been my distinct honor to serve as your commanding general and be part of this tremendous team.” (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian A. Marion/Released) - Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., right, passes the III Marine Expeditionary Force organizational colors to Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler during the III MEF change of command ceremony July 19 on Camp Foster. “To our Marines and sailors, you are a certain force in an uncertain world,” said Glueck during his farewell address. “Thanks to your unfailing leadership and commitment, III MEF will remain our nation's force of choice in the Pacific. It has been my distinct honor to serve as your commanding general and be part of this tremendous team.” (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian A. Marion/Released)
Sgt. Maj. Tamara L. Fode addresses Marine Corps leaders of commands across Okinawa during the 2013 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Leadership Summit July 15 at the Butler Officers’ Club. The summit focused on how commanders and senior enlisted advisors should foster a positive command climate to combat sexual assault. Fode is the sergeant major of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Lena Wakayama - Sgt. Maj. Tamara L. Fode addresses Marine Corps leaders of commands across Okinawa during the 2013 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Leadership Summit July 15 at the Butler Officers’ Club. The summit focused on how commanders and senior enlisted advisors should foster a positive command climate to combat sexual assault. Fode is the sergeant major of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Lena Wakayama
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. Marine Col. Preston W. Jones speaks to students and instructors of the Japan Joint Staff College July 3 at Camp Courtney. The discussion gave the students and instructors an overview of the III Marine Expeditionary Force in the Asia-Pacific region and joint operations in the U.S. military. Jones is the future operations officer with G-3, operations, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Ranum/Released) - U.S. Marine Col. Preston W. Jones speaks to students and instructors of the Japan Joint Staff College July 3 at Camp Courtney. The discussion gave the students and instructors an overview of the III Marine Expeditionary Force in the Asia-Pacific region and joint operations in the U.S. military. Jones is the future operations officer with G-3, operations, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Ranum/Released)