Marines with 3rd Intelligence Battalion respond to a simulated chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear spray attack Feb. 14 at Camp Hansen. The Marines learned how to respond to different types of CBRN attacks during a five-day CBRN defense course. 3rd Intel. Bn. is a part of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Marines with 3rd Intelligence Battalion respond to a simulated chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear spray attack Feb. 14 at Camp Hansen. The Marines learned how to respond to different types of CBRN attacks during a five-day CBRN defense course. 3rd Intel. Bn. is a part of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Lance Cpl. Colin J. Hoffman provides rear security with his rubber M16A2 service rifle Feb. 15 at the Jungle Warfare Training Center while his squad evacuates a simulated casualty during the endurance course. The casualty was secured to an improvised stretcher fashioned from tree branches and utility blouses, as Marines maintained a combat mindset and had to work only with what they could find in the jungle and brought to the course. Hoffman is a military policeman with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Lance Cpl. Colin J. Hoffman provides rear security with his rubber M16A2 service rifle Feb. 15 at the Jungle Warfare Training Center while his squad evacuates a simulated casualty during the endurance course. The casualty was secured to an improvised stretcher fashioned from tree branches and utility blouses, as Marines maintained a combat mindset and had to work only with what they could find in the jungle and brought to the course. Hoffman is a military policeman with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Marines with 7th Communication Battalion sort through debris collected Feb. 14 while cleaning the shoreline of a bay in Kin Town near the Hikarigaoka nursing home. “It’s a great pleasure to see what the Marines do to help out the local community,” said Chiemi Okuma, the office manager for Hikarigaoka nursing home. “I am very grateful and can’t wait for them to come visit and help out once again.” 7th Comm. Bn. is a part of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Marines with 7th Communication Battalion sort through debris collected Feb. 14 while cleaning the shoreline of a bay in Kin Town near the Hikarigaoka nursing home. “It’s a great pleasure to see what the Marines do to help out the local community,” said Chiemi Okuma, the office manager for Hikarigaoka nursing home. “I am very grateful and can’t wait for them to come visit and help out once again.” 7th Comm. Bn. is a part of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Fumio Kishida and Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri shake hands after a meeting on Camp Foster Feb. 16. The purpose of the visit was to conduct a courtesy call with the acting Okinawa Area Coordinator and to tour Marine Corps Installations. Talleri is the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific and acting Okinawa Area Coordinator. Kishida is the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Government of Japan. - Fumio Kishida and Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri shake hands after a meeting on Camp Foster Feb. 16. The purpose of the visit was to conduct a courtesy call with the acting Okinawa Area Coordinator and to tour Marine Corps Installations. Talleri is the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific and acting Okinawa Area Coordinator. Kishida is the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Government of Japan.

Royal Thai Marines move up the beach during an amphibious assault rehearsal Feb. 13 at Hat Yao, Kingdom of Thailand, as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2013. The amphibious assault combined the capabilities of Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and elements of the Royal Thai Marine Corps. The purpose of CG 13 is to improve the capability to plan and conduct combined-joint operations and provide an opportunity for participating nations to build relationships and improve interoperability across the range of military operations. - Royal Thai Marines move up the beach during an amphibious assault rehearsal Feb. 13 at Hat Yao, Kingdom of Thailand, as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2013. The amphibious assault combined the capabilities of Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and elements of the Royal Thai Marine Corps. The purpose of CG 13 is to improve the capability to plan and conduct combined-joint operations and provide an opportunity for participating nations to build relationships and improve interoperability across the range of military operations.

Maj. Jason Johnson discusses courses of action for responding to a simulated earthquake with members of the government of Nepal, Nepalese Army and U.S. Army Pacific Feb. 5 in Katmandu, Nepal, during the Nepal humanitarian assistance and disaster relief table-top exercise. The purpose of the exercise, conducted Feb. 2-8, was to improve III Marine Expeditionary Force’s ability to respond to an HADR scenario in Nepal through coordination and planning with the government of Nepal, U.S. Departments of Defense and State, international and national agencies, and multinational parties. Johnson is a civil affairs officer with III MEF. - Maj. Jason Johnson discusses courses of action for responding to a simulated earthquake with members of the government of Nepal, Nepalese Army and U.S. Army Pacific Feb. 5 in Katmandu, Nepal, during the Nepal humanitarian assistance and disaster relief table-top exercise. The purpose of the exercise, conducted Feb. 2-8, was to improve III Marine Expeditionary Force’s ability to respond to an HADR scenario in Nepal through coordination and planning with the government of Nepal, U.S. Departments of Defense and State, international and national agencies, and multinational parties. Johnson is a civil affairs officer with III MEF.

Marines fire high-angle shots from M777 A2 155 mm howitzers Jan. 31 in the East Fuji Maneuver Area during Exercise Fire Dragon 13-2. During the live-fire portion of the exercise, Marines practiced firing at various angles to increase their ability to provide fire support to maneuver elements. The Marines are with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines fire high-angle shots from M777 A2 155 mm howitzers Jan. 31 in the East Fuji Maneuver Area during Exercise Fire Dragon 13-2. During the live-fire portion of the exercise, Marines practiced firing at various angles to increase their ability to provide fire support to maneuver elements. The Marines are with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.