From left to right, U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas, Republic of Korea Lt. Gen. Ho-Yeon Lee, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Wissler and Republic of Korea Maj. Gen. Sang-Hoon Lee discuss Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2013, Aug. 26. Wissler is aboard the USS Blue Ridge in his role as commander of the Combined Marine Component Command, Combined Forces Command (Wartime), for the exercise. The CMCC incorporates Marine Corps and selected naval forces of the U.S. and the Republic of Korea, as well as sending states’ amphibious forces, under one organization established in the event of a crisis on the Korean peninsula. Other service members with III MEF are participating in UFG from multiple locations across Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as sending states, including a French battalion Landing team cell. UFG is carried out in support of the Republic of Korea and U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty signed on Oct. 1, 1953. This exercise furthers military training and enhances the Republic of Korea military’s abilities to take the lead of the combined defense of the Republic of Korea in 2015. Thomas is the commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Ho-Yeon Lee is the commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Wissler is the commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sang-Hoon Lee is the assistant commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. - From left to right, U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas, Republic of Korea Lt. Gen. Ho-Yeon Lee, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Wissler and Republic of Korea Maj. Gen. Sang-Hoon Lee discuss Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2013, Aug. 26. Wissler is aboard the USS Blue Ridge in his role as commander of the Combined Marine Component Command, Combined Forces Command (Wartime), for the exercise. The CMCC incorporates Marine Corps and selected naval forces of the U.S. and the Republic of Korea, as well as sending states’ amphibious forces, under one organization established in the event of a crisis on the Korean peninsula. Other service members with III MEF are participating in UFG from multiple locations across Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as sending states, including a French battalion Landing team cell. UFG is carried out in support of the Republic of Korea and U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty signed on Oct. 1, 1953. This exercise furthers military training and enhances the Republic of Korea military’s abilities to take the lead of the combined defense of the Republic of Korea in 2015. Thomas is the commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Ho-Yeon Lee is the commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Wissler is the commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sang-Hoon Lee is the assistant commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.
A Smokey SAM, also known as a GTR-18, travels through the air Aug. 27 on a training island off the coast of Ie Shima. - A Smokey SAM, also known as a GTR-18, travels through the air Aug. 27 on a training island off the coast of Ie Shima.
Lance Cpl. Jesse R. Gribble slices through a piece of metal Aug. 9 while deconstructing a dilapidated building on Camp Hansen. The building, along with another, presented a hazard to both personnel, as well as the equipment being stored in them due to deterioration from severe weather. Gribble is a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Jesse R. Gribble slices through a piece of metal Aug. 9 while deconstructing a dilapidated building on Camp Hansen. The building, along with another, presented a hazard to both personnel, as well as the equipment being stored in them due to deterioration from severe weather. Gribble is a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Cpl. Griffith D. Moore puts fuses on M777A2 155 mm lightweight howitzer rounds Aug. 21 at the Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 13-8. Throughout the exercise, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines conducted live-fire training, helicopter operations, and military operations in urban terrain training as well as cultural exchanges and tours of the country. Moore is an artilleryman with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock/Released) - Cpl. Griffith D. Moore puts fuses on M777A2 155 mm lightweight howitzer rounds Aug. 21 at the Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 13-8. Throughout the exercise, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines conducted live-fire training, helicopter operations, and military operations in urban terrain training as well as cultural exchanges and tours of the country. Moore is an artilleryman with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock/Released)
Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 participate in a flag-football game Aug. 16 as part of the 2nd annual Firebird Festival at the field behind on Camp Foster. “The flag football games were intense,” said Staff Sgt. Talan J. Wyenandt. “Though it was a flag football game the teams came out and gave their all. They weren’t afraid to get a little (aggressive) if they had to.” Wyenandt is the operations chief for MWSS-172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 participate in a flag-football game Aug. 16 as part of the 2nd annual Firebird Festival at the field behind on Camp Foster. “The flag football games were intense,” said Staff Sgt. Talan J. Wyenandt. “Though it was a flag football game the teams came out and gave their all. They weren’t afraid to get a little (aggressive) if they had to.” Wyenandt is the operations chief for MWSS-172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Lance Cpl. Nathan E. Craig, left, and Cpl. Oumarou A. Abdoulaye search muddy water for lost parts and tools during a military occupational specialty re-designation training course Aug. 16 at Camp Hansen. Abdoulaye is a motor transport operator with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and Craig is a motor transport operator with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. - Lance Cpl. Nathan E. Craig, left, and Cpl. Oumarou A. Abdoulaye search muddy water for lost parts and tools during a military occupational specialty re-designation training course Aug. 16 at Camp Hansen. Abdoulaye is a motor transport operator with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and Craig is a motor transport operator with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF.
Marines secure a leaking barrel in a sealed container for transport during a unit training exercise Aug. 23 at a warehouse on Camp Kinser. A fog machine was used to simulate harmful gasses, barrels, gas tanks were provided as demonstrations of unsecured contaminants, and several false bodies were used to simulate casualties the teams were required to extract during the exercise. The teams consisted of Marines from various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines secure a leaking barrel in a sealed container for transport during a unit training exercise Aug. 23 at a warehouse on Camp Kinser. A fog machine was used to simulate harmful gasses, barrels, gas tanks were provided as demonstrations of unsecured contaminants, and several false bodies were used to simulate casualties the teams were required to extract during the exercise. The teams consisted of Marines from various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Cpl. Nikolas C. Wurdelman returns fire Aug. 15 during platoon-level military operations in urban terrain and counterinsurgency operations training at the Combat Town facility in the Central Training Area. Wurdelman is a team leader with Weapons Platoon, Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, currently assigned to LAR Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr - Cpl. Nikolas C. Wurdelman returns fire Aug. 15 during platoon-level military operations in urban terrain and counterinsurgency operations training at the Combat Town facility in the Central Training Area. Wurdelman is a team leader with Weapons Platoon, Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, currently assigned to LAR Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr