Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., addresses the crowd at the 3rd Marine Division change of command ceremony July 12 at the Camp Courtney Theater. During his address, Glueck, the outgoing commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, recognized the central role of 3rd Marine Division in the MEF’s success and the vital role the division will play in the future. In a separate ceremony, Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler will assume command of III MEF from Glueck during the III MEF change of command ceremony July 19 at Camp Foster, concluding Glueck’s more than two and a half years of steadfast leadership in the region. Photo by Cpl. Mark W. Stroud - Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., addresses the crowd at the 3rd Marine Division change of command ceremony July 12 at the Camp Courtney Theater. During his address, Glueck, the outgoing commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, recognized the central role of 3rd Marine Division in the MEF’s success and the vital role the division will play in the future. In a separate ceremony, Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler will assume command of III MEF from Glueck during the III MEF change of command ceremony July 19 at Camp Foster, concluding Glueck’s more than two and a half years of steadfast leadership in the region. Photo by Cpl. Mark W. Stroud
Lance Cpl. Victor Balbuena traverses the pit-and-pond obstacle of the endurance course July 15 at the Jungle Warfare Training Center on Camp Gonsalves. The pit-and-pond is one of 31 different obstacles the Marines must navigate through during the 3.8-mile endurance course. Balbuena is a water support technician with MWSS-172. Photo by Lance Cpl. Donald T. Peterson - Lance Cpl. Victor Balbuena traverses the pit-and-pond obstacle of the endurance course July 15 at the Jungle Warfare Training Center on Camp Gonsalves. The pit-and-pond is one of 31 different obstacles the Marines must navigate through during the 3.8-mile endurance course. Balbuena is a water support technician with MWSS-172. Photo by Lance Cpl. Donald T. Peterson
Col. Michael W. Taylor, left, speaks to community members during the opening ceremony of the 2013 Okinawa Drive Safety Campaign July 9 at the Uruma City Police Station. “This drive safe campaign is important because any time someone gets behind the wheel while distracted or impaired, they are running the risk of seriously injuring themselves or others,” said Taylor. Senior leaders from Camps Courtney and McTureous attended the opening ceremony to represent U.S. service members’ commitment to safe driving. Taylor is the camp commander of Camps Courtney and McTureous. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr/Released) - Col. Michael W. Taylor, left, speaks to community members during the opening ceremony of the 2013 Okinawa Drive Safety Campaign July 9 at the Uruma City Police Station. “This drive safe campaign is important because any time someone gets behind the wheel while distracted or impaired, they are running the risk of seriously injuring themselves or others,” said Taylor. Senior leaders from Camps Courtney and McTureous attended the opening ceremony to represent U.S. service members’ commitment to safe driving. Taylor is the camp commander of Camps Courtney and McTureous. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr/Released)
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
A basic rider course motorcyclist practices maneuvering drills set up by rider coach candidates July 11 at Kadena Air Base. Service members stationed on Okinawa participated in the rider coach preparation course in hopes of becoming certified instructors. Photo by Lance Cpl. Lena Wakayama - A basic rider course motorcyclist practices maneuvering drills set up by rider coach candidates July 11 at Kadena Air Base. Service members stationed on Okinawa participated in the rider coach preparation course in hopes of becoming certified instructors. Photo by Lance Cpl. Lena Wakayama
Lance Cpl. James S. Sipper, left, and Cpl. Sal J. Flores Jr. add rocks to the bucket of a multiterrain loader July 8 during the removal of a 60-meter-long wall near U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station’s main gate. Teamwork played an important part in the completion of the project, according to Sipper. Flores and Sipper are heavy-equipment operators with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jose D. Lujano - Lance Cpl. James S. Sipper, left, and Cpl. Sal J. Flores Jr. add rocks to the bucket of a multiterrain loader July 8 during the removal of a 60-meter-long wall near U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station’s main gate. Teamwork played an important part in the completion of the project, according to Sipper. Flores and Sipper are heavy-equipment operators with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jose D. Lujano
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)
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