NEWS

Lance Cpl. Jeanette E. Fernando holds a jar of sand taken from her trip to Iwo Jima, August 1, 2017, at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Fernando and other Marines in her squadron were given the opportunity to revisit the battlegrounds at which Fernando's grandfather, a Navajo Code Talker, fought during World War II. Fernando is an airframe mechanic assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, currently on a unit deployment program with 1st MAW based in Okinawa, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez) - Lance Cpl. Jeanette E. Fernando holds a jar of sand taken from her trip to Iwo Jima, August 1, 2017, at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Fernando and other Marines in her squadron were given the opportunity to revisit the battlegrounds at which Fernando's grandfather, a Navajo Code Talker, fought during World War II. Fernando is an airframe mechanic assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, currently on a unit deployment program with 1st MAW based in Okinawa, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez)

A Marine with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force inserts a needle into a simulated casualty during the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course at the Tactical Medical Simulation Center, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 13, 2017. The course included hands-on medical training and, on the final day, a realistic scenario designed for the trainee to react under pressure. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez) - A Marine with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force inserts a needle into a simulated casualty during the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course at the Tactical Medical Simulation Center, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 13, 2017. The course included hands-on medical training and, on the final day, a realistic scenario designed for the trainee to react under pressure. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez)

Staff Sgt. Jeffrey D. Matthews talks about his experience as an Enlisted Aide for the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general. Matthews, a Baltimore, Maryland native, explains how the Marine Corps Enlisted Aide Program provided him a way to practice household management, plan social events and prepare meals while working for Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the III MEF commanding general. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Charles Plouffe) - Staff Sgt. Jeffrey D. Matthews talks about his experience as an Enlisted Aide for the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general. Matthews, a Baltimore, Maryland native, explains how the Marine Corps Enlisted Aide Program provided him a way to practice household management, plan social events and prepare meals while working for Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the III MEF commanding general. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Charles Plouffe)

Brig. Gen. John M. Jansen passes the unit colors to Brig. Gen. Chris A. McPhillips during the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade change of command ceremony at the theater on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, July 21, 2017. The ceremony symbolizes the exchange of responsibility to the new commanding general. McPhillips, the former 1st Marine Aircraft Wing assistant commander in Okinawa, Japan, assumed responsibility as the new commanding general of 3rd MEB. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Neumann) - Brig. Gen. John M. Jansen passes the unit colors to Brig. Gen. Chris A. McPhillips during the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade change of command ceremony at the theater on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, July 21, 2017. The ceremony symbolizes the exchange of responsibility to the new commanding general. McPhillips, the former 1st Marine Aircraft Wing assistant commander in Okinawa, Japan, assumed responsibility as the new commanding general of 3rd MEB. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Neumann)

Sgt. Aenoi Luangxay ,right, a squad leader with Combat Engineering Company, 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, receives a challenge coin July 7, 2017, in Okinawa, Japan, from Maj. Gen. Craig Timberlake, the 3rd Marine Division commanding officer, for winning the outstanding squad leader award while participating in the 2nd annual Marine Corps Combat Engineer Sapper competition held in Camp Pendleton, California. Luangxay was one of four squad leaders to be in the running for the award. - Sgt. Aenoi Luangxay ,right, a squad leader with Combat Engineering Company, 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, receives a challenge coin July 7, 2017, in Okinawa, Japan, from Maj. Gen. Craig Timberlake, the 3rd Marine Division commanding officer, for winning the outstanding squad leader award while participating in the 2nd annual Marine Corps Combat Engineer Sapper competition held in Camp Pendleton, California. Luangxay was one of four squad leaders to be in the running for the award.

Master Sgt. Victor Garcia, the operations chief of Henoko Ammunitions Supply Point, speaks with Marines while conducting a movement of unserviceable ammunition, July 11, 2017, from the Ammunition Supply Point on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan to a United States Naval Ship at Tengan Pier, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines with Ammunition Company, 3d Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3d Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force loaded up approximately 130 pallets of ammunition at the ASP to be transported and returned to the Naval Munitions Command on Sasebo Navy Base, Japan, for proper disposal. The experience of a ship-to-shore ammo movement is unique to the Marines with III MEF and benefits their forward deployed capabilities by simulating a realistic scenario that could happen during an operation. - Master Sgt. Victor Garcia, the operations chief of Henoko Ammunitions Supply Point, speaks with Marines while conducting a movement of unserviceable ammunition, July 11, 2017, from the Ammunition Supply Point on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan to a United States Naval Ship at Tengan Pier, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines with Ammunition Company, 3d Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3d Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force loaded up approximately 130 pallets of ammunition at the ASP to be transported and returned to the Naval Munitions Command on Sasebo Navy Base, Japan, for proper disposal. The experience of a ship-to-shore ammo movement is unique to the Marines with III MEF and benefits their forward deployed capabilities by simulating a realistic scenario that could happen during an operation.

A Republic of Korea Marine attempts to break through a riot control line during riot control training, at Pohang, South Korea, June 22, 2017. ROK Marines simulated rioters by attempting to break through the riot control line as defenders subdued the aggressors. U.S. and ROK Marines practice their non-lethal force tactics during Korean Marine Exchange Program 17-7. KMEP 17-7 is just one of the many opportunities made possible for ROK and U.S. Marines to learn and train with one another. The U.S. Marines are military policemen with Bravo Company, 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez) - A Republic of Korea Marine attempts to break through a riot control line during riot control training, at Pohang, South Korea, June 22, 2017. ROK Marines simulated rioters by attempting to break through the riot control line as defenders subdued the aggressors. U.S. and ROK Marines practice their non-lethal force tactics during Korean Marine Exchange Program 17-7. KMEP 17-7 is just one of the many opportunities made possible for ROK and U.S. Marines to learn and train with one another. The U.S. Marines are military policemen with Bravo Company, 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez)

Sgt. Gregorio Palacios ,left, Cpl. David Rodriguez ,right, and Cpl. Robert “Bobby” Lozano, all currently active-duty Marines stationed in Okinawa, Japan, joined the Marine Corps in 2013. Once joining, the trio never imagined they would eventually be stationed in a foreign country together. - Sgt. Gregorio Palacios ,left, Cpl. David Rodriguez ,right, and Cpl. Robert “Bobby” Lozano, all currently active-duty Marines stationed in Okinawa, Japan, joined the Marine Corps in 2013. Once joining, the trio never imagined they would eventually be stationed in a foreign country together.

U.S. Marine Cpls. Otto Thiele (center left), Eric Goodman (center), and Christopher Ehms (far right) and Lance Cpls. Antonio Martinez (far left) and Avelardo Guevara Osuna (center right) came together to assist a local Japanese woman during their hike on Mount Fuji, Japan, July 3, 2017. The woman, Oda Moe, was found lying on the ground, hyperventilating and struggling to breathe when the Marines came to her assistance. Together, they created a makeshift stretcher to carry her down approximately two miles to get to medical assistance. The Marines are with Electronics Maintenance Company, 3d Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3d Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - U.S. Marine Cpls. Otto Thiele (center left), Eric Goodman (center), and Christopher Ehms (far right) and Lance Cpls. Antonio Martinez (far left) and Avelardo Guevara Osuna (center right) came together to assist a local Japanese woman during their hike on Mount Fuji, Japan, July 3, 2017. The woman, Oda Moe, was found lying on the ground, hyperventilating and struggling to breathe when the Marines came to her assistance. Together, they created a makeshift stretcher to carry her down approximately two miles to get to medical assistance. The Marines are with Electronics Maintenance Company, 3d Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3d Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Pritchard passes the unit colors to Maj. Gen. Russell A. Sanborn, representing the passing of command during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, June 29, 2017. Sanborn, outgoing 1st Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, relinquished command to Brig. Gen. Thomas D. Weidley and will assume command at Marine Forces Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella Ortega) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Pritchard passes the unit colors to Maj. Gen. Russell A. Sanborn, representing the passing of command during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, June 29, 2017. Sanborn, outgoing 1st Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general, relinquished command to Brig. Gen. Thomas D. Weidley and will assume command at Marine Forces Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella Ortega)