NEWS

U.S. Special Operations Forces personnel take part in a military freefall jumpmaster course on Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, April 19, 2017. This marked the first time in history that the course was delivered outside of the continental United States. Hosted by the U.S. Marines Corps 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and administered by a Mobile Training Team, the course qualified 27 Marines, Soldiers and Airmen as military freefall jumpmasters in Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jordan A. Talley/Released) - U.S. Special Operations Forces personnel take part in a military freefall jumpmaster course on Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, April 19, 2017. This marked the first time in history that the course was delivered outside of the continental United States. Hosted by the U.S. Marines Corps 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and administered by a Mobile Training Team, the course qualified 27 Marines, Soldiers and Airmen as military freefall jumpmasters in Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jordan A. Talley/Released)

Filipino children wave U.S. and Philippine flags during a groundbreaking ceremony for Balikatan 2017 in Ormoc City, Leyte, April 25, 2017. Leaders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. military, and Ormoc City gathered to commemorate the beginning of engineering projects for new classrooms at Margen Elementary School in Ormoc City. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and counterterrorism. - Filipino children wave U.S. and Philippine flags during a groundbreaking ceremony for Balikatan 2017 in Ormoc City, Leyte, April 25, 2017. Leaders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. military, and Ormoc City gathered to commemorate the beginning of engineering projects for new classrooms at Margen Elementary School in Ormoc City. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and counterterrorism.

2nd Lt. Jennifer N. Galvan gives a mission brief during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Central Training Area, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 18, 2017. 3d Law Enforcement Battalion conducted the evaluation to test each company’s ability to execute tasks ranging from policing operations to police patrolling, route regulations, key leader engagements in towns and local population centers, and security of key infrastructure in an expeditionary environment, to ensure they are prepared to support the operational requirements of III Marine Expeditionary Force. Galvan, a native of Oak Lawn, Ill., is a platoon commander for Bravo Company, 3d LE Bn., III MEF Headquarters Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Pinkney) - 2nd Lt. Jennifer N. Galvan gives a mission brief during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Central Training Area, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 18, 2017. 3d Law Enforcement Battalion conducted the evaluation to test each company’s ability to execute tasks ranging from policing operations to police patrolling, route regulations, key leader engagements in towns and local population centers, and security of key infrastructure in an expeditionary environment, to ensure they are prepared to support the operational requirements of III Marine Expeditionary Force. Galvan, a native of Oak Lawn, Ill., is a platoon commander for Bravo Company, 3d LE Bn., III MEF Headquarters Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Pinkney)

Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Pritchard, addresses attendees during a relief and appointment ceremony on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, April 21, 2017. Relief and appointment ceremonies are part of the Marine Corps’ tradition in passing leadership from one to another. During the ceremony, Pritchard, from Keene, New Hampshire, was appointed sergeant major of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Sgt. Maj. Mario A. Marquez, from Lakewood, California, was the previous sergeant major of 1st MAW. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonah Baase) - Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Pritchard, addresses attendees during a relief and appointment ceremony on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, April 21, 2017. Relief and appointment ceremonies are part of the Marine Corps’ tradition in passing leadership from one to another. During the ceremony, Pritchard, from Keene, New Hampshire, was appointed sergeant major of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Sgt. Maj. Mario A. Marquez, from Lakewood, California, was the previous sergeant major of 1st MAW. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonah Baase)

A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 salutes a pilot during hot-reload training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 6, 2017. This signified the first time the squadron loaded ordnance onto a running F-35B Lightning II aircraft at the air station in order to prepare for real-world scenarios. - A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 salutes a pilot during hot-reload training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 6, 2017. This signified the first time the squadron loaded ordnance onto a running F-35B Lightning II aircraft at the air station in order to prepare for real-world scenarios.

Sgt. 1st Class Midsru Miyazaki has been chosen as the first Japanese MV-22 Osprey crew chief aboard Marine Corps Air Station, New River, N.C., April 7, 2017. “It’s very honorable to be chosen as a crew chief and I’m ready for flight in the United States its very fun,” said Miyazaki. Miyazaki looks forward to going back to Japan and training his soldiers in the proper methods and procedures for flying a MV-22 Osprey. Miyazaki is originally with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. VMMT-204 is assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/ Released) - Sgt. 1st Class Midsru Miyazaki has been chosen as the first Japanese MV-22 Osprey crew chief aboard Marine Corps Air Station, New River, N.C., April 7, 2017. “It’s very honorable to be chosen as a crew chief and I’m ready for flight in the United States its very fun,” said Miyazaki. Miyazaki looks forward to going back to Japan and training his soldiers in the proper methods and procedures for flying a MV-22 Osprey. Miyazaki is originally with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. VMMT-204 is assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/ Released)

Members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, 30th Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Eastern Army fast rope out of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during Forest Light 17-1 at Camp Soumagahara on Mar. 9, 2017. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise conducted by U.S. and Japanese forces in order to strengthen interoperability and combined capabilities in defense of the U.S.-Japanese alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kelsey Dornfeld) - Members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, 30th Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Eastern Army fast rope out of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during Forest Light 17-1 at Camp Soumagahara on Mar. 9, 2017. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise conducted by U.S. and Japanese forces in order to strengthen interoperability and combined capabilities in defense of the U.S.-Japanese alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kelsey Dornfeld)

Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, addresses social media conduct and the importance of respecting fellow Marines during a heart-to-heart discussion at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, April 4, 2017. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Laura Gauna) - Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, addresses social media conduct and the importance of respecting fellow Marines during a heart-to-heart discussion at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, April 4, 2017. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Laura Gauna)

Don Irwin, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, shakes 1st Lt. Lauren Campbell’s hand April 7, 2017 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Irwin, who served aboard a number of ships during World War II, took part in battles for Midway and Guadalcanal and survived the sinking of the USS Calhoun during the battle for Okinawa. Irwin returned to Okinawa and exchanged stories with the Marines and Sailors stationed on the island.Irwin is a San Jose, California native and Campbell, a Redwood City, California, native, is a material control officer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Amaia Unanue) - Don Irwin, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, shakes 1st Lt. Lauren Campbell’s hand April 7, 2017 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Irwin, who served aboard a number of ships during World War II, took part in battles for Midway and Guadalcanal and survived the sinking of the USS Calhoun during the battle for Okinawa. Irwin returned to Okinawa and exchanged stories with the Marines and Sailors stationed on the island.Irwin is a San Jose, California native and Campbell, a Redwood City, California, native, is a material control officer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Amaia Unanue)

Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force wait to board a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook March 16, 2017, for parachute operations with Republic of Korea Recon Marines at Josari drop zone, ROK, as part of Korea Marine Exercise Program 17-6. These parachute operations are the only joint, bilateral training during KMEP 17-6 and help maintain the highest level of readiness in defense of ROK. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ally Beiswanger) - Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force wait to board a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook March 16, 2017, for parachute operations with Republic of Korea Recon Marines at Josari drop zone, ROK, as part of Korea Marine Exercise Program 17-6. These parachute operations are the only joint, bilateral training during KMEP 17-6 and help maintain the highest level of readiness in defense of ROK. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ally Beiswanger)