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Lt. Col. Neil J. Owens answers questions from Japanese media during an artillery demonstration for Artillery Relocation and Training Program 16-1, in Senjogahara, Japan, May 16, 2016. ARTP is a Japan-funded, routine training exercise that allows Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, to conduct live-fire training. Owens, the commanding officer of 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, communicates with Japanese officials about ARTP daily during the exercise. Owens is a native of Medford, Mass. - Lt. Col. Neil J. Owens answers questions from Japanese media during an artillery demonstration for Artillery Relocation and Training Program 16-1, in Senjogahara, Japan, May 16, 2016. ARTP is a Japan-funded, routine training exercise that allows Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, to conduct live-fire training. Owens, the commanding officer of 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, communicates with Japanese officials about ARTP daily during the exercise. Owens is a native of Medford, Mass.

Guns ablaze in the Land of the Rising Sun

SENJOGAHARA, Japan — As artillery rounds pummel the ground, Japanese residents and media watch with enthusiasm. Approximately 80 local residents and media attended an artillery demonstration for Artillery Relocation Training Program 16-1 here, May 16, 2016.

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A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member visiting the annual Training Expo on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, tests out the Instrumental Tactical Evaluation Simulated System, April 29, 2016. This recently updated system works almost like the popular game, "laser tag," where a laptop traces the marksmanship of the shooter. This training can be recorded and handed back to the unit on a CD to evaluate performance. (U.S. Marine photo by LCpl. Amaia Unanue/Released) - A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member visiting the annual Training Expo on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, tests out the Instrumental Tactical Evaluation Simulated System, April 29, 2016. This recently updated system works almost like the popular game, "laser tag," where a laptop traces the marksmanship of the shooter. This training can be recorded and handed back to the unit on a CD to evaluate performance. (U.S. Marine photo by LCpl. Amaia Unanue/Released)

Train Local, Fight Global: Simulated Training Gives Edge to Oki Marines

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan -- Two Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members approached a table covered in gear, weapons and laptops, grinning from ear to ear. One of them began to speak to the contractor standing at the table. The other pulled out a cell phone and recorded the interaction. The contractor showed the service members how to use his system, which is essentially a tactical game of laser tag. The system tracks the marksmanship of each player through a laptop, which then records the results. A CD is given to the command to discuss their after-action report.

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CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan – Marines and sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force cheer on their teammates during a game of flag football April 29, 2016 on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. The game was part of a half-day event to raise funds for the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society by participating in competitive group sports. There are many ways the NMCRS can help Marines and sailors in times of need, including by providing interest-free loans and other financial assistance. - CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan – Marines and sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force cheer on their teammates during a game of flag football April 29, 2016 on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. The game was part of a half-day event to raise funds for the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society by participating in competitive group sports. There are many ways the NMCRS can help Marines and sailors in times of need, including by providing interest-free loans and other financial assistance.

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society raises money for others with sports

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan – Marines and sailors raise funds for the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society by participating in competitive group sports April 29, 2016 on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan.

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Considerate Cannoneers: A Backstory to Bombardment

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan -- If an artillery round explodes but no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? The Marines of 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment hope to test that question as accurately as possible over the course of a quarterly exercise in Miyagi Prefecture, Honshu, Japan, next month.

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Marines conduct a helicopter support team exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, April 22, 2016. The Marines are landing support specialists, commonly referred to as red patchers, with Landing Support Detachment, 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines conduct a helicopter support team exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, April 22, 2016. The Marines are landing support specialists, commonly referred to as red patchers, with Landing Support Detachment, 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Red Patchers: The misunderstood Marines

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa, Japan -- The Marines braced themselves against rotor wash as the helicopter rose. It hovered over a 7,000 – pound cinder block, ready to lift.

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Sgt. Jeffrey L. Allen scopes out the terrain from his seat in a UH-1Y Huey, April 8, 2016, at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Allen, along with other crew chiefs and aircraft maintainers, may work up to 16 hours a day performing maintenance and checks on aircraft to ensure safe missions. Allen, from Ennis, Texas, is with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, currently supporting Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - Sgt. Jeffrey L. Allen scopes out the terrain from his seat in a UH-1Y Huey, April 8, 2016, at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Allen, along with other crew chiefs and aircraft maintainers, may work up to 16 hours a day performing maintenance and checks on aircraft to ensure safe missions. Allen, from Ennis, Texas, is with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, currently supporting Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Keeping Birds in the Sky

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan – When the morning dew begins to dampen the grass fields in between runways, there are some Marines already at work. The sound of clanging metal rings through the air as they inventory their tools. Sleepy-eyed, these aircraft maintainers sweep the flight line for debris and obstruction, quietly carrying out a profession responsible for the success of missions and preservation of life.

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Marines with the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force board a KC-130J Super Hercules at Kadena Air Base to begin preparing for a training exercise Friday, April 15. The training included picking up supplies and Marines from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF from Ie Shima. Then the reconnaissance Marines practiced low-level static line training with the support of VMGR-152. (U.S. Marine photo by LCpl Amaia Unanue/Released) - Marines with the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force board a KC-130J Super Hercules at Kadena Air Base to begin preparing for a training exercise Friday, April 15. The training included picking up supplies and Marines from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF from Ie Shima. Then the reconnaissance Marines practiced low-level static line training with the support of VMGR-152. (U.S. Marine photo by LCpl Amaia Unanue/Released)

Falling with style

1st Lt. Colton Sizemore, a pilot for the KC-130J Super Hercules, and his fellow Marines prepare to fly out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, April 15, 2016. Sizemore, from Jacksonville, NC., is with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

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Japan Self-Defense Force service members, attending the Joint Staff College, received a presentation on the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and III Marine Expeditionary Force’s chain of command during a visit to Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan on April 16, 2016. The presentation clarified the different sizes and capabilities of different MAGTFs and III MEF’s capabilities in the Pacific.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Hester/ Released) - Japan Self-Defense Force service members, attending the Joint Staff College, received a presentation on the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and III Marine Expeditionary Force’s chain of command during a visit to Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan on April 16, 2016. The presentation clarified the different sizes and capabilities of different MAGTFs and III MEF’s capabilities in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Hester/ Released)

Joint Service College students learn MAGTF

With the recent natural disasters in mainland Japan, members of the Japan Self-Defense Force discuss ways to improve humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities with U.S. Marines.

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Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists the Government of Japan in supporting those affected by recent earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, April 18, 2016. VMM-265 picked up supplies from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Takayubaru and delivered them to Hakusui Sports Park in the Kumamoto Prefecture. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts. - Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists the Government of Japan in supporting those affected by recent earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, April 18, 2016. VMM-265 picked up supplies from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Takayubaru and delivered them to Hakusui Sports Park in the Kumamoto Prefecture. The long-standing relationship between Japan and the U.S. allows U.S. military forces in Japan to provide rapid, integrated support to the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil relief efforts.

Marines deliver earthquake relief supplies to Kyushu

Two MV-22B Ospreyswith Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MarineExpeditionary Unit delivered relief supplies to Hakusui Sport Park on theisland of Kyushu, Japan today in support of the Japanese Ground Self DefenseForce relief efforts after a series of earthquakes struck the island of Kyushuearlier this week. Two MV-22B Ospreys

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MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrive at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 17, 2016. The aircraft arrived in preparation to support the Government of Japan’s relief efforts in response to the earthquakes that struck the island of Kyushu earlier this week. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the Marine Corps’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Samantha Villarreal/Released) - MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrive at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 17, 2016. The aircraft arrived in preparation to support the Government of Japan’s relief efforts in response to the earthquakes that struck the island of Kyushu earlier this week. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the Marine Corps’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Samantha Villarreal/Released)