NEWS

Marines and members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force pose for a group photo after an educational event held at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan on Nov. 8, 2017.The event was held to educate service members of the JGSDF about the Marine Corps rank structure and the roles and duties of a senior enlisted service member. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales) - Marines and members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force pose for a group photo after an educational event held at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan on Nov. 8, 2017.The event was held to educate service members of the JGSDF about the Marine Corps rank structure and the roles and duties of a senior enlisted service member. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales)

Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey D. Matthews, the 2017 Marine Corps Enlisted Aide of the Year, poses for a photo at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 26, 2017. Matthews plans social events, prepares meals, records finances and accomplishes tasks that aid a general officer as part of the Marine Corps Enlisted Aide Program. Matthews, a native of Baltimore, is a Marine Corps enlisted aide for Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Neumann) - Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey D. Matthews, the 2017 Marine Corps Enlisted Aide of the Year, poses for a photo at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 26, 2017. Matthews plans social events, prepares meals, records finances and accomplishes tasks that aid a general officer as part of the Marine Corps Enlisted Aide Program. Matthews, a native of Baltimore, is a Marine Corps enlisted aide for Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Neumann)

An RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial system with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3) , conducts a landing approach during a training event at Landing Zone Westfield, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Oct. 18, 2017. The purpose of the event is to conduct UAS operations with a minimal amount of personnel and equipment after flying a system in by KC-130J in order to operate immediately within a short amount of time. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabelo Tabanguil) - An RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial system with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3) , conducts a landing approach during a training event at Landing Zone Westfield, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Oct. 18, 2017. The purpose of the event is to conduct UAS operations with a minimal amount of personnel and equipment after flying a system in by KC-130J in order to operate immediately within a short amount of time. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabelo Tabanguil)

A Marine pilot poses for a portrait photo. - Cpt. Derek Apitz, a pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, speaks about his experience at the Las Vegas shooting during an interview Oct. 18, 2017, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jesus Sepulvedatorres)

Marines posing for a photo after finishing the live fire platoon attack range. - U.S. Marines pose for a group photo after finishing the live fire platoon attack range during Exercise Fuji Viper, at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, October 20, 2017. The platoon conducted fire and maneuver drills to simulate closing with an enemy that has occupied their defensive position. Fuji Viper is a training exercise where Marines conduct live fire and non-live fire combined arms training in order to sustain combat proficiency and improve the lethality of the Marines in the U.S. Pacific Command area of operations. The Marine are with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. 1/8 is attached to 3rd Marine Division as part of the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Charles Plouffe)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – Yesterday III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific completed the process of removing the CH-53E Super Stallion that conducted an emergency landing on Okinawa, Japan. Our Marines worked closely with local officials and Japanese police to remove the debris and clear all military equipment from the site before 9:00 pm. The Marines plan to return to the site next week to conduct a walk-through to ensure nothing was missed during the deteriorating weather conditions caused by the pending Typhoon Lan. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – Yesterday III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific completed the process of removing the CH-53E Super Stallion that conducted an emergency landing on Okinawa, Japan. Our Marines worked closely with local officials and Japanese police to remove the debris and clear all military equipment from the site before 9:00 pm. The Marines plan to return to the site next week to conduct a walk-through to ensure nothing was missed during the deteriorating weather conditions caused by the pending Typhoon Lan.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan –CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters stationed here will resume normal flight operations Wed, Oct. 18, following government of Japan and Okinawa Prefectural Government leadership notification. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan –CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters stationed here will resume normal flight operations Wed, Oct. 18, following government of Japan and Okinawa Prefectural Government leadership notification.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, directed a 96-hour operational pause this morning for all CH-53E Super Stallions helicopters stationed in Okinawa, Japan to ensure CH-53E readiness and the safe conduct of our aviation community. We will conduct a thorough investigation working closely with aircrew and maintenance experts to determine the cause of the incident. We will continue to share information with the government of Japan as details become available, while understanding that the investigation must be protected and cannot be released until complete. III MEF is working with Japanese agencies toward the cleanup and removal of the aircraft. We are in the process of conducting an initial survey at the location to determine the most viable platform and method of aircraft recovery, stressing the importance of safety and protection to the environment. “This is a regrettable incident, and after the investigation is complete, those with property damage as a result of this incident will be appropriately compensated,” said Nicholson. "I want to thank the local Japanese first responders who helped secure the scene quickly and safely, the members of the U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Squadron 21 who evacuated our crew members, and those moving the aircraft safely today. I also want to thank everyone for the concern shown for our pilots, the local community members, and their understanding of the risks both Japanese and U.S. military men and women take daily as part of our vital responsibility to provide for the defense of Japan." - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, directed a 96-hour operational pause this morning for all CH-53E Super Stallions helicopters stationed in Okinawa, Japan to ensure CH-53E readiness and the safe conduct of our aviation community. We will conduct a thorough investigation working closely with aircrew and maintenance experts to determine the cause of the incident. We will continue to share information with the government of Japan as details become available, while understanding that the investigation must be protected and cannot be released until complete. III MEF is working with Japanese agencies toward the cleanup and removal of the aircraft. We are in the process of conducting an initial survey at the location to determine the most viable platform and method of aircraft recovery, stressing the importance of safety and protection to the environment. “This is a regrettable incident, and after the investigation is complete, those with property damage as a result of this incident will be appropriately compensated,” said Nicholson. "I want to thank the local Japanese first responders who helped secure the scene quickly and safely, the members of the U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Squadron 21 who evacuated our crew members, and those moving the aircraft safely today. I also want to thank everyone for the concern shown for our pilots, the local community members, and their understanding of the risks both Japanese and U.S. military men and women take daily as part of our vital responsibility to provide for the defense of Japan."

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – – A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter belonging to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was conducting regularly scheduled training when it was forced to make an emergency landing at a field outside the Northern Training Area due to an inflight fire at approximately 5:20 pm today. There were no injuries to the crew or civilians as a result of this incident. Local first responders attended to the incident quickly and extinguished the fire. The cause of this incident is under investigation and there is limited information at this time. We are currently working with local and military police to secure the site for follow on investigation and everyone's safety. Additional details will be released when information is available. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – – A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter belonging to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was conducting regularly scheduled training when it was forced to make an emergency landing at a field outside the Northern Training Area due to an inflight fire at approximately 5:20 pm today. There were no injuries to the crew or civilians as a result of this incident. Local first responders attended to the incident quickly and extinguished the fire. The cause of this incident is under investigation and there is limited information at this time. We are currently working with local and military police to secure the site for follow on investigation and everyone's safety. Additional details will be released when information is available.