NEWS

Keiichi Hirano, left, a Japanese major league baseball player pitches to a local kid during a friendly game at a baseball clinic Jan. 24 on Camp Kinser. This was the first baseball clinic held on Camp Kinser. Approximately 50 Japanese and American children participated in the event. The clinic consisted of Hirano teaching fundamental skills and techniques followed by a game. The day ended with prizes, lunch and a cake for all who participated. Hirano is with the Orix Buffaloes. - Keiichi Hirano, left, a Japanese major league baseball player pitches to a local kid during a friendly game at a baseball clinic Jan. 24 on Camp Kinser. This was the first baseball clinic held on Camp Kinser. Approximately 50 Japanese and American children participated in the event. The clinic consisted of Hirano teaching fundamental skills and techniques followed by a game. The day ended with prizes, lunch and a cake for all who participated. Hirano is with the Orix Buffaloes.

Staff Sgt. D. DeMarius Jackson performs a saxophone solo for the song “Deck the Halls” Dec. 9 during a III Marine Expeditionary Force band Christmas concert at the Kubasaki High School auditorium on Camp Foster. The concert was filled with a variety of Christmas songs performed by the jazz ensemble of the III MEF band, known as the “Big Band.” The concert was open to Okinawa community members for an opportunity to share in the traditions of the Christmas season. Jackson, a native of Aiken, South Carolina, is a saxophone musician with the III MEF band. - Staff Sgt. D. DeMarius Jackson performs a saxophone solo for the song “Deck the Halls” Dec. 9 during a III Marine Expeditionary Force band Christmas concert at the Kubasaki High School auditorium on Camp Foster. The concert was filled with a variety of Christmas songs performed by the jazz ensemble of the III MEF band, known as the “Big Band.” The concert was open to Okinawa community members for an opportunity to share in the traditions of the Christmas season. Jackson, a native of Aiken, South Carolina, is a saxophone musician with the III MEF band.

U.S. Marines lead a foot patrol Dec. 9 during Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - U.S. Marines lead a foot patrol Dec. 9 during Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Justin Constantine, from Arlington, Virginia, gives a presentation Dec. 4 to Marines at Camp Kinser about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and emotional wellness in the Marine Corps. Constantine was wounded in Iraq in 2006. After a drastic recovery from PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and traumatic brain injury he now shares his story to people across the world. Constantine is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel and is now an inspirational speaker dedicated to reaching out to those facing similar problems. - Justin Constantine, from Arlington, Virginia, gives a presentation Dec. 4 to Marines at Camp Kinser about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and emotional wellness in the Marine Corps. Constantine was wounded in Iraq in 2006. After a drastic recovery from PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and traumatic brain injury he now shares his story to people across the world. Constantine is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel and is now an inspirational speaker dedicated to reaching out to those facing similar problems.

A quick reference guide for the new liberty policy changes affecting Marines and sailors serving under Marine commands within Japan. The service members must comply with the III Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine Corps Installations Pacific Liberty Regulations in Japan, published on Nov. 26, 2014. This policy also includes personnel in a temporary duty, temporary additional duty, deployed, leave, or pass status within the country of Japan, according to the policy. - A quick reference guide for the new liberty policy changes affecting Marines and sailors serving under Marine commands within Japan. The service members must comply with the III Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine Corps Installations Pacific Liberty Regulations in Japan, published on Nov. 26, 2014. This policy also includes personnel in a temporary duty, temporary additional duty, deployed, leave, or pass status within the country of Japan, according to the policy.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Ryan T. Watson, right, receives a bouquet of flowers from a student Dec. 5 at Chinzei High School in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Marines participating in Forest Light 15-1 took a day off from training to visit local high schools to exchange culture lessons with the student. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements, and improve individual and unit-level skills in a bilateral training environment. Watson, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an infantry unit leader with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Ryan T. Watson, right, receives a bouquet of flowers from a student Dec. 5 at Chinzei High School in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Marines participating in Forest Light 15-1 took a day off from training to visit local high schools to exchange culture lessons with the student. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements, and improve individual and unit-level skills in a bilateral training environment. Watson, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an infantry unit leader with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Gunnery Sgt. Shane R. Bertrand, from Ontario, Oregon, helps children put together paper pilgrim and American Indian hats Nov. 23 during the second annual Thanksgiving celebration with Tai Chu En Children’s Home at the Camp Kinser Chapel. This was the second annual Thanksgiving event with the children’s home and the Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 35. Following the crafts, the children and volunteers sat down for a Thanksgiving feast including turkey, corn and pumpkin pie. Bertrand is the logistics chief for CLR 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary. - Gunnery Sgt. Shane R. Bertrand, from Ontario, Oregon, helps children put together paper pilgrim and American Indian hats Nov. 23 during the second annual Thanksgiving celebration with Tai Chu En Children’s Home at the Camp Kinser Chapel. This was the second annual Thanksgiving event with the children’s home and the Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 35. Following the crafts, the children and volunteers sat down for a Thanksgiving feast including turkey, corn and pumpkin pie. Bertrand is the logistics chief for CLR 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jonas G. Dewald, right, instructs a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member during sniper stalk lane training Dec. 2 in the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. The training is part of Forest Light 15-1, a semi-annual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and field training events conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. Dewald, from Wilson, North Carolina, is a machine gunner with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, under the unit deployment program. The JGSDF member is with 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, JGSDF. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jonas G. Dewald, right, instructs a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member during sniper stalk lane training Dec. 2 in the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. The training is part of Forest Light 15-1, a semi-annual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and field training events conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. Dewald, from Wilson, North Carolina, is a machine gunner with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, under the unit deployment program. The JGSDF member is with 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, JGSDF.

Cpl. Nicholas Majerus, from Mazeppa, Minn., prepares to fast-rope out of an MV-22B Osprey with his military working dog, Iggi, Oct. 27 at Camp Hansen. “I think our bond has gotten a lot stronger,” said Majerus. “I’ve been with (Iggi) for a long time so she trusts me with everything, and she knows I would never put her in any kind of danger.” Majerus is a working dog handler. He and Iggi are with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Cpl. Nicholas Majerus, from Mazeppa, Minn., prepares to fast-rope out of an MV-22B Osprey with his military working dog, Iggi, Oct. 27 at Camp Hansen. “I think our bond has gotten a lot stronger,” said Majerus. “I’ve been with (Iggi) for a long time so she trusts me with everything, and she knows I would never put her in any kind of danger.” Majerus is a working dog handler. He and Iggi are with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

A CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land Nov. 5 during a simulated tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise as part of exercise Blue Chromite 15 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. The landing zone was near combat town, the last known location of the downed aircraft crew members. Upon arriving in combat town, the Marines had to engage opposing forces and track the crew members’ location. The CH-53E is with HMH-XXX, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force - A CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land Nov. 5 during a simulated tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise as part of exercise Blue Chromite 15 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. The landing zone was near combat town, the last known location of the downed aircraft crew members. Upon arriving in combat town, the Marines had to engage opposing forces and track the crew members’ location. The CH-53E is with HMH-XXX, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force