171209-M-AD571-001.JPG - Marines and Sailors with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, bid their families and friends farewell as they prepare to deploy from Marine Corps Base Hawaii to Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 08, 2017. The battalion is deploying under the Unit Deployment Program to serve as a forward deployed force in the West Pacific for the next six months. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kathy Nunez)

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Ryota Hasebe attached to 3rd Battalion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for two months starting Jan. 11 and ending March 13. During those two months Hasebe learned about U.S. Marine Corps Artillery and went to Twentynine Palms, California for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Hasebe, 28, studied Chinese Literature and graduated from Kokugakuin University in Tokyo before joining the JGSDF in 2011. Hasebe is now the battalion fire direction control officer for 1st Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment in Fukuoka Japan. - Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Ryota Hasebe attached to 3rd Battalion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for two months starting Jan. 11 and ending March 13. During those two months Hasebe learned about U.S. Marine Corps Artillery and went to Twentynine Palms, California for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Hasebe, 28, studied Chinese Literature and graduated from Kokugakuin University in Tokyo before joining the JGSDF in 2011. Hasebe is now the battalion fire direction control officer for 1st Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment in Fukuoka Japan.

Cpl. Victor Santana, center, writes down clues to help Okinawa schoolchildren guess a word during an English word guessing game during the 2nd annual English Day Camp Feb. 28 at the Nago City Youth Center. Okinawa community volunteers and Marines assigned to Camp Schwab helped teach English to Okinawa schoolchildren as part of a Nago City Board of Education Program. Santana is a food service specialist assigned to 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Cpl. Victor Santana, center, writes down clues to help Okinawa schoolchildren guess a word during an English word guessing game during the 2nd annual English Day Camp Feb. 28 at the Nago City Youth Center. Okinawa community volunteers and Marines assigned to Camp Schwab helped teach English to Okinawa schoolchildren as part of a Nago City Board of Education Program. Santana is a food service specialist assigned to 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

U.S. Reconnaissance Marines learn how to fall properly while skiing Jan. 23 in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. The proper fall is to tuck your ski poles off to the opposite side of your fall, fall uphill and land on your leg, shoulder and hip to protect your head and wrists from damage. The U.S. Marines are with Alpha Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - U.S. Reconnaissance Marines learn how to fall properly while skiing Jan. 23 in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. The proper fall is to tuck your ski poles off to the opposite side of your fall, fall uphill and land on your leg, shoulder and hip to protect your head and wrists from damage. The U.S. Marines are with Alpha Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Staff Sgt. Absalon A. Cabrera uses a radio to communicate with the 4th Marine Regiment’s combat operations center while transporting the commanding officer across the battle space Feb. 12 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, during the battalion assault course as part of Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. “I am very proud of all of my Marines,” said Cabrera. “They have accomplished a lot and it has been seen at different levels out here.” ITX 2-15 is designed to integrate combined arms and improve war fighting capabilities. Cabrera, a Los Angeles, California, native and an infantry unit leader, is the jump team commander for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Four with Headquarters Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Staff Sgt. Absalon A. Cabrera uses a radio to communicate with the 4th Marine Regiment’s combat operations center while transporting the commanding officer across the battle space Feb. 12 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, during the battalion assault course as part of Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. “I am very proud of all of my Marines,” said Cabrera. “They have accomplished a lot and it has been seen at different levels out here.” ITX 2-15 is designed to integrate combined arms and improve war fighting capabilities. Cabrera, a Los Angeles, California, native and an infantry unit leader, is the jump team commander for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Four with Headquarters Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines clear a building during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 Feb. 9 at the Cham Sae Mi Close-Quarters Battle Training Facility in Pohang, Republic of Korea. KMEP 15-17 is a regularly-scheduled, bilateral, small-unit training exercise, which enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. The ROK Marines are with Company 5, 32nd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. - Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines clear a building during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 Feb. 9 at the Cham Sae Mi Close-Quarters Battle Training Facility in Pohang, Republic of Korea. KMEP 15-17 is a regularly-scheduled, bilateral, small-unit training exercise, which enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. The ROK Marines are with Company 5, 32nd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

U.S. Marine Pfc. Kris L. Williams, left, picks up trash alongside Republic of Korea Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 Feb. 12 in Pohang, ROK. The Marines were tasked with cleaning sidewalks, alleyways, dried-up riverbeds and other places where trash accumulates in the city. The overarching goal of KMEP is to enhance and improve the interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. Williams, from Columbia, South Carolina, is a field radio operator with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. - U.S. Marine Pfc. Kris L. Williams, left, picks up trash alongside Republic of Korea Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 Feb. 12 in Pohang, ROK. The Marines were tasked with cleaning sidewalks, alleyways, dried-up riverbeds and other places where trash accumulates in the city. The overarching goal of KMEP is to enhance and improve the interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. Williams, from Columbia, South Carolina, is a field radio operator with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Alex S. Rankin, center, digs a hiding position alongside Republic of Korea Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-4 Feb. 4 at the Pyeongchang Winter Training Facility, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. The ROK recon Marines specialize in stealth and scouting, so this training teaches the Marines how to survive without getting caught and still accomplishing the mission. This exercise highlights the two countries’ combined commitment to the defense of the ROK and peace and security in the region. Rankin, a Secane, Pennsylvania, native, is an intelligence specialist with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. - U.S. Marine Cpl. Alex S. Rankin, center, digs a hiding position alongside Republic of Korea Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-4 Feb. 4 at the Pyeongchang Winter Training Facility, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. The ROK recon Marines specialize in stealth and scouting, so this training teaches the Marines how to survive without getting caught and still accomplishing the mission. This exercise highlights the two countries’ combined commitment to the defense of the ROK and peace and security in the region. Rankin, a Secane, Pennsylvania, native, is an intelligence specialist with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. The ROK Marines are with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division.

Smoke explodes out of the M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer as Marines from Alpha Battery provide indirect fire to units engaged in the mechanized assault course Jan. 31 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Artillery is used to provide suppressive, indirect fire to ground and air units on the battlefield. The Marines are with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force as part of the ground combat element for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 4 for ITX 2-15. - Smoke explodes out of the M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer as Marines from Alpha Battery provide indirect fire to units engaged in the mechanized assault course Jan. 31 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Artillery is used to provide suppressive, indirect fire to ground and air units on the battlefield. The Marines are with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force as part of the ground combat element for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 4 for ITX 2-15.

Shosuke Kokuba, right, swings as Cpl. Eric D. Chrivia catches during a friendly softball game between the Henoko Young Men’s Association and U.S. Marines Jan. 25 on Camp Schwab. The Young Men’s Association played the Marines in a nine-inning game. Kokuba, from Henoko, Okinawa, is a member of the Henoko Young Men’s Association. Chrivia, from Hale, Michigan, is a mortarman with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. - Shosuke Kokuba, right, swings as Cpl. Eric D. Chrivia catches during a friendly softball game between the Henoko Young Men’s Association and U.S. Marines Jan. 25 on Camp Schwab. The Young Men’s Association played the Marines in a nine-inning game. Kokuba, from Henoko, Okinawa, is a member of the Henoko Young Men’s Association. Chrivia, from Hale, Michigan, is a mortarman with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

Marines extend the legs of a canopy-style tent as part of the combat operations center for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15 Jan. 16 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. It is important to set up the camouflage netting before putting up the tents because it makes the process a lot faster, according to Staff Sgt. Absalon A. Cabrera, an operations assistant with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Los Angeles, California, native. Marines working on the tent are also with 4th Marines. - Marines extend the legs of a canopy-style tent as part of the combat operations center for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15 Jan. 16 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. It is important to set up the camouflage netting before putting up the tents because it makes the process a lot faster, according to Staff Sgt. Absalon A. Cabrera, an operations assistant with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Los Angeles, California, native. Marines working on the tent are also with 4th Marines.

Col. Lance A. McDaniel, left, congratulates Sgt. Jacob J. Baumann Jan. 14 on receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for potentially saving the life of a local Japanese gentleman. “Heroism often involves an ordinary man doing extraordinary things for others,” said McDaniel from Waco, Texas. “Recently Sgt. Baumann saw the opportunity and didn’t spend time thinking; he acted on behalf of someone else.” McDaniel is the commanding officer of 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Baumann is from Junction City, Kansas, and a fire support man with Headquarter Battery, 12th Marine Regiment. - Col. Lance A. McDaniel, left, congratulates Sgt. Jacob J. Baumann Jan. 14 on receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for potentially saving the life of a local Japanese gentleman. “Heroism often involves an ordinary man doing extraordinary things for others,” said McDaniel from Waco, Texas. “Recently Sgt. Baumann saw the opportunity and didn’t spend time thinking; he acted on behalf of someone else.” McDaniel is the commanding officer of 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Baumann is from Junction City, Kansas, and a fire support man with Headquarter Battery, 12th Marine Regiment.

Marines launch their Assault Amphibious Vehicle from the hull of the USS Germantown (LSD 42) Nov. 2 during exercise Blue Chromite 15. Blue Chromite demonstrates the Navy and Marine Corps’ amphibious and expeditionary capabilities from the sea. The Marines are with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines launch their Assault Amphibious Vehicle from the hull of the USS Germantown (LSD 42) Nov. 2 during exercise Blue Chromite 15. Blue Chromite demonstrates the Navy and Marine Corps’ amphibious and expeditionary capabilities from the sea. The Marines are with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.