NEWS

U.S. Navy Lt. Melissa Thomas, left, administers dental care to a Mongolian resident as part of the health services support engagement during Khaan Quest 2015 at the 79th High School in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 21. Khaan Quest is a regularly scheduled, multinational exercise hosted annually by the Mongolian Armed Forces and co-sponsored by U.S. Army, Pacific, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. Thomas is a dental officer with 3rd Dental Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - U.S. Navy Lt. Melissa Thomas, left, administers dental care to a Mongolian resident as part of the health services support engagement during Khaan Quest 2015 at the 79th High School in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 21. Khaan Quest is a regularly scheduled, multinational exercise hosted annually by the Mongolian Armed Forces and co-sponsored by U.S. Army, Pacific, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. Thomas is a dental officer with 3rd Dental Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

A Marine with the Provost Marshal’s Office on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, places handcuffs on an Uruma City Police officer posing as an on-base intruder, June 11, during bilateral training between service members and the UCPD. The event ensured Marines with Camp Guard and the Provost Marshal’s Office are proficient in communicating with the UCPD to mitigate threats involving service members and Okinawa residents. During the training event, Camp Guard Marines patrolling the base perimeter apprehended a simulated armed intruder. PMO Marines received a notification over a radio signal and responded to rehearse turnover procedures of the intruder and escort him to the proper detainment authorities. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/ Released) - A Marine with the Provost Marshal’s Office on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, places handcuffs on an Uruma City Police officer posing as an on-base intruder, June 11, during bilateral training between service members and the UCPD. The event ensured Marines with Camp Guard and the Provost Marshal’s Office are proficient in communicating with the UCPD to mitigate threats involving service members and Okinawa residents. During the training event, Camp Guard Marines patrolling the base perimeter apprehended a simulated armed intruder. PMO Marines received a notification over a radio signal and responded to rehearse turnover procedures of the intruder and escort him to the proper detainment authorities. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/ Released)

Master Sgt. Patricio Mora directs a segment of the 101 critical days of summer brief June 5 at the base theater on Camp Foster, Okinawa. The “101 critical days of summer”, traditionally observed Memorial Day through Labor Day, is the span of time where statistics show the most accidents and incidents among service members occur. Service members are encouraged to be aware of their own safety while participating in summer activities as well as watching out for the safety of others, according to Mora, the operations training chief with Headquarters & Service Battalion S-3, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released) - Master Sgt. Patricio Mora directs a segment of the 101 critical days of summer brief June 5 at the base theater on Camp Foster, Okinawa. The “101 critical days of summer”, traditionally observed Memorial Day through Labor Day, is the span of time where statistics show the most accidents and incidents among service members occur. Service members are encouraged to be aware of their own safety while participating in summer activities as well as watching out for the safety of others, according to Mora, the operations training chief with Headquarters & Service Battalion S-3, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released)

Dennis E. Provencher, the district commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9723, Okinawa salutes the Ernie Pyle Monument April 19, after placing a floral wreath at the foot of the epitaph on Ieshima, Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa citizens, service members, veterans, Boy Scouts, and families gather to honor the 70th anniversary of Ernest T. “Ernie” Pyle’s death at the sight where he was killed in 1945 during the battle of Okinawa. Pyle was a Pulitzer Prize winner and served as a war correspondent from 1935 through most of World War II, famous for his columns for the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain. Pyle volunteered to deploy with the men of the Army’s 77th Infantry Division to report first-hand during the battle of Okinawa. - Dennis E. Provencher, the district commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9723, Okinawa salutes the Ernie Pyle Monument April 19, after placing a floral wreath at the foot of the epitaph on Ieshima, Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa citizens, service members, veterans, Boy Scouts, and families gather to honor the 70th anniversary of Ernest T. “Ernie” Pyle’s death at the sight where he was killed in 1945 during the battle of Okinawa. Pyle was a Pulitzer Prize winner and served as a war correspondent from 1935 through most of World War II, famous for his columns for the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain. Pyle volunteered to deploy with the men of the Army’s 77th Infantry Division to report first-hand during the battle of Okinawa.

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green speaks to Marines March 26 during a visit to Okinawa. The commandant, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, and the sergeant major traveled to the Marine bases on Okinawa from March 24-26 to talk with Marines about their expectations for the Marines and the Corps. “My priorities are to make sure we have the warfighting capabilities we need, to address the maturity of our leaders and to make sure they have the training, education and the experience that they need to be successful on the battlefield,” said Dunford. - Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green speaks to Marines March 26 during a visit to Okinawa. The commandant, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, and the sergeant major traveled to the Marine bases on Okinawa from March 24-26 to talk with Marines about their expectations for the Marines and the Corps. “My priorities are to make sure we have the warfighting capabilities we need, to address the maturity of our leaders and to make sure they have the training, education and the experience that they need to be successful on the battlefield,” said Dunford.

Cpl. Jude Exantus, right smiles with a service member's daughter on top of an Assault Amphibious Vehicle April 4 during a United Service Organization Easter celebration on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa children and service members’ children came together to participate in Easter activities, such as egg dyeing, making rabbit masks and an egg hunt. The Camp Schwab USO plans to organize this Easter celebration annually. Exantus is a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and AAV crew chief with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Cpl. Jude Exantus, right smiles with a service member's daughter on top of an Assault Amphibious Vehicle April 4 during a United Service Organization Easter celebration on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa children and service members’ children came together to participate in Easter activities, such as egg dyeing, making rabbit masks and an egg hunt. The Camp Schwab USO plans to organize this Easter celebration annually. Exantus is a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and AAV crew chief with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Kin Town residents leave the bases exchange Jan. 17 during Camp Hansen’s Friendship Saturday. Friendship Saturday is an event where community members are allowed on the base, unescorted but with passes, and enjoy some of the facilities on the camp. They visited various facilities including the Exchange, The Palms and bowling alley. Free balloons were handed out for children to enjoy during the event. - Kin Town residents leave the bases exchange Jan. 17 during Camp Hansen’s Friendship Saturday. Friendship Saturday is an event where community members are allowed on the base, unescorted but with passes, and enjoy some of the facilities on the camp. They visited various facilities including the Exchange, The Palms and bowling alley. Free balloons were handed out for children to enjoy during the event.

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.

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.