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.

U.S. Marine Col. Christopher J. Papaj, right, presents a gift to one of the students who performed a traditional Thai dance during the dedication ceremony for a new classroom constructed at Ban Nam Chiao Elementary School in Lam Ngob District, Trat province, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 19. Royal Thai and U.S. Marines constructed the classroom as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2013. CG 13 participants are conducting engineering civic assistance projects, cooperative health engagements and other civil-military activities in Thailand to promote regional prosperity, security and cooperation among partner militaries. Papaj is the assistant wing commander with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - U.S. Marine Col. Christopher J. Papaj, right, presents a gift to one of the students who performed a traditional Thai dance during the dedication ceremony for a new classroom constructed at Ban Nam Chiao Elementary School in Lam Ngob District, Trat province, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 19. Royal Thai and U.S. Marines constructed the classroom as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2013. CG 13 participants are conducting engineering civic assistance projects, cooperative health engagements and other civil-military activities in Thailand to promote regional prosperity, security and cooperation among partner militaries. Papaj is the assistant wing commander with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

North Carolina-based Marines with Alpha Battery fire an M777A2 155 mm howitzer Feb. 19 during Artillery Relocation Training Program 12-4 at the Ojojihara Maneuver Area in Miyagi prefecture, Japan. Alpha Battery is part of 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and is currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF under the unit deployment program. - North Carolina-based Marines with Alpha Battery fire an M777A2 155 mm howitzer Feb. 19 during Artillery Relocation Training Program 12-4 at the Ojojihara Maneuver Area in Miyagi prefecture, Japan. Alpha Battery is part of 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and is currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF under the unit deployment program.

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.

Capt. Daniel J. Burton, left, and Yasufumi Tomari pose for a photo with their letters of appreciation at the Okinawa Police Department Feb. 22. Burton is the operations officer with the Provost Marshal's Office. Tomari is an interpreter for the accident investigation section of PMO. - Capt. Daniel J. Burton, left, and Yasufumi Tomari pose for a photo with their letters of appreciation at the Okinawa Police Department Feb. 22. Burton is the operations officer with the Provost Marshal's Office. Tomari is an interpreter for the accident investigation section of PMO.

Chris Majewski greets members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Feb. 22 at the Battle of Okinawa historical display on Camp Kinser. The JGSDF members were given a guided tour of the display by Majewski, who took them through the history of both the Japanese and American sides of the battle. Majewski is the director of the Battle of Okinawa historical display. The JGSDF members are with the 15th Brigade, Western Army. - Chris Majewski greets members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Feb. 22 at the Battle of Okinawa historical display on Camp Kinser. The JGSDF members were given a guided tour of the display by Majewski, who took them through the history of both the Japanese and American sides of the battle. Majewski is the director of the Battle of Okinawa historical display. The JGSDF members are with the 15th Brigade, Western Army.

Marines with Company B, 3rd Recon. Bn., 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, put their experience to use in overcoming rugged terrain and inclement weather to complete a four-day reconnaissance patrol at the JWTC on Camp Gonsalves Feb. 19–22 during the final event of a two-week field exercise. - Marines with Company B, 3rd Recon. Bn., 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, put their experience to use in overcoming rugged terrain and inclement weather to complete a four-day reconnaissance patrol at the JWTC on Camp Gonsalves Feb. 19–22 during the final event of a two-week field exercise.

Marines load onto a high speed vessel at Kin Red beach Feb. 10 set for the Hokkaido-dai Maneuver Area in Eastern Hokkaido, Japan for exercise Forest Light 13-3. The Marines will spend an estimated four days on the HSV in route to Hokkiado, Japan where they will prepare for the exercise to begin Feb. 22. The Marines participating in the exercise are with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines load onto a high speed vessel at Kin Red beach Feb. 10 set for the Hokkaido-dai Maneuver Area in Eastern Hokkaido, Japan for exercise Forest Light 13-3. The Marines will spend an estimated four days on the HSV in route to Hokkiado, Japan where they will prepare for the exercise to begin Feb. 22. The Marines participating in the exercise are with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri speaks to senior U.S. military and civilian leaders at the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster Feb. 14 before Hirofumi Takeda, the director general of the Okinawa Defense Bureau, addresses the leaders. Talleri is the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. - Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri speaks to senior U.S. military and civilian leaders at the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster Feb. 14 before Hirofumi Takeda, the director general of the Okinawa Defense Bureau, addresses the leaders. Talleri is the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler.

Marines and sailors with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, transport a simulated casualty to an evacuation site as part of a medical evacuation drill Feb. 16 at the Ojojihara Maneuver Area on mainland Japan. During the drill, Marines and corpsmen rehearsed the proper procedures for assessing, treating and transporting casualties from the field to the next level of care. 3rd Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, is part of 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines and sailors with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, transport a simulated casualty to an evacuation site as part of a medical evacuation drill Feb. 16 at the Ojojihara Maneuver Area on mainland Japan. During the drill, Marines and corpsmen rehearsed the proper procedures for assessing, treating and transporting casualties from the field to the next level of care. 3rd Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, is part of 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.