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Marines

EXPLORE PHOTOS

III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Okinawa, Japan

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Satsuki Ashitomi eagerly waits for a piece of cake Dec. 19 at the Kin Town Social Welfare Center, Okinawa, Japan. Marines organized a toy drive through the Kin Town Single Parent Association to give back to their community by handing out gifts and cake to the children. The Marines are with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Ibarra/Released)

Satsuki Ashitomi eagerly waits for a piece of cake Dec. 19 at the Kin Town Social Welfare Center, Okinawa, Japan. Marines organized a toy drive through the Kin Town Single Parent Association to give back to their community by handing out gifts and cake to the children. The Marines are with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Ibarra/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Issac Ibarra

Cpl. Zachariah Mercer hands a present to a child Dec. 19 at the Kin Town Social Welfare Center, Okinawa, Japan. Marines organized a toy drive through the Kin Town Single Parent Association to give back to their community by handing out gifts and cake to the children. Mercer is a surveillance sensor operator with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Ibarra/Released)

Cpl. Zachariah Mercer hands a present to a child Dec. 19 at the Kin Town Social Welfare Center, Okinawa, Japan. Marines organized a toy drive through the Kin Town Single Parent Association to give back to their community by handing out gifts and cake to the children. Mercer is a surveillance sensor operator with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Ibarra/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Issac Ibarra

Satsuki Ashitomi plays with her new doll Dec. 19 at the Kin Town Social Welfare Center, Okinawa, Japan. Marines organized a toy drive through the Kin Town Single Parent Association to give back to their community by handing out gifts and cake to the children. The Marines are with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Ibarra/Released)

Satsuki Ashitomi plays with her new doll Dec. 19 at the Kin Town Social Welfare Center, Okinawa, Japan. Marines organized a toy drive through the Kin Town Single Parent Association to give back to their community by handing out gifts and cake to the children. The Marines are with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Ibarra/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Issac Ibarra

Junko Kurata, right, serves salad to Cpl. Jonathan Koren during a Christmas Party thrown by the Hikariga Oka Nursing Home in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The nursing home hosts the Christmas party annually to pay thanks for 7th Communication Battalion continuous contributions and community outreach projects. Since 1994, Marines with the battalion have regularly volunteered regularly by organizing routine cleanups and maintenance for the home and its surrounding area. Kurata is from Kin town and is a nurse at the nursing home. Koren is from Allentown, Pennsylvania and is a digital wideband repairer with 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle/Released)

Junko Kurata, right, serves salad to Cpl. Jonathan Koren during a Christmas Party thrown by the Hikariga Oka Nursing Home in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The nursing home hosts the Christmas party annually to pay thanks for 7th Communication Battalion continuous contributions and community outreach projects. Since 1994, Marines with the battalion have regularly volunteered regularly by organizing routine cleanups and maintenance for the home and its surrounding area. Kurata is from Kin town and is a nurse at the nursing home. Koren is from Allentown, Pennsylvania and is a digital wideband repairer with 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle

Marines with 7th Communication Battalion sing Christmas carols to the residents at Hikariga Oka Nursing Home during a Christmas Party thrown by the nursing home for the Marines at Hikariga Oka Nursing Home in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015.The nursing home hosts the Christmas party annually to pay thanks for the battalion’s continual community relations projects. Since 1994 Marines with the battalion regularly volunteers regularly to help maintain the home’s grounds of the home and conduct organize routine cleanups and maintenance. The Marines are with 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle/Released)

Marines with 7th Communication Battalion sing Christmas carols to the residents at Hikariga Oka Nursing Home during a Christmas Party thrown by the nursing home for the Marines at Hikariga Oka Nursing Home in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015.The nursing home hosts the Christmas party annually to pay thanks for the battalion’s continual community relations projects. Since 1994 Marines with the battalion regularly volunteers regularly to help maintain the home’s grounds of the home and conduct organize routine cleanups and maintenance. The Marines are with 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle

Marines with 7th Communication Battalion sing Christmas carols to residents of Hikariga Oka Nursing Home during a Christmas party at HikarigaOka Nursing Home in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The nursing home hosts the party annually as thanks for the Marines' continuous contributions to the home. Since 1994, Marines with the battalion have regularly volunteered to help maintain the home’s grounds of the home and spend time with the residents. The Marines are with various units under 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle/Released)

Marines with 7th Communication Battalion sing Christmas carols to residents of Hikariga Oka Nursing Home during a Christmas party at HikarigaOka Nursing Home in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The nursing home hosts the party annually as thanks for the Marines' continuous contributions to the home. Since 1994, Marines with the battalion have regularly volunteered to help maintain the home’s grounds of the home and spend time with the residents. The Marines are with various units under 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle

Lance Cpl. David Ryan from Tallahassee, Florida, fills his plate during a Christmas party thrown by the Hikariga Oka Nursing Home in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The nursing home hosts the party annually as thanks for 7th Communication Battalion’s continuous community outreach projects. Since 1994, Marines with the battalion have regularly volunteered to help maintain the home’s grounds and organized routine cleanups and maintenance. Ryan is a field radio operator with 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.(U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle/Released)

Lance Cpl. David Ryan from Tallahassee, Florida, fills his plate during a Christmas party thrown by the Hikariga Oka Nursing Home in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18, 2015. The nursing home hosts the party annually as thanks for 7th Communication Battalion’s continuous community outreach projects. Since 1994, Marines with the battalion have regularly volunteered to help maintain the home’s grounds and organized routine cleanups and maintenance. Ryan is a field radio operator with 7th Comm. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.(U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Devon Tindle

A Marine with the Criminal Investigation Division dusts for fingerprints on a prop on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Dec. 11, 2015. Marines with military police and CID, 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, participated in an elaborate week-long exercise to sharpen their tactical investigation skills and practice successfully merging two individual units. The goal of the exercise was to collect evidence at each crime scene to guide them to the next, ultimately resulting in the capture of a simulated terrorist.

A Marine with the Criminal Investigation Division dusts for fingerprints on a prop on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Dec. 11, 2015. Marines with military police and CID, 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, participated in an elaborate week-long exercise to sharpen their tactical investigation skills and practice successfully merging two individual units. The goal of the exercise was to collect evidence at each crime scene to guide them to the next, ultimately resulting in the capture of a simulated terrorist.

Photo by Courtesy photo

Marines with the 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion search a Marine posing as a terrorist during training at Kadena Marina, Okinawa, Dec. 10, 2015. Marines with military police and Criminal Investigation Division, 3rd LE, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, participated in an elaborate week-long exercise to sharpen their tactical investigation skills and practice successfully merging two individual units. The goal of the exercise was to collect evidence at each crime scene to guide them to the next, ultimately resulting in the capture of a simulated terrorist.

Marines with the 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion search a Marine posing as a terrorist during training at Kadena Marina, Okinawa, Dec. 10, 2015. Marines with military police and Criminal Investigation Division, 3rd LE, III Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, participated in an elaborate week-long exercise to sharpen their tactical investigation skills and practice successfully merging two individual units. The goal of the exercise was to collect evidence at each crime scene to guide them to the next, ultimately resulting in the capture of a simulated terrorist.

Photo by Courtesy photo

Santa Claus listens to what children want for Christmas and then gives out candy canes during the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus listens to what children want for Christmas and then gives out candy canes during the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

During the event, Santa’s Little Helper, Marines and children have snowball fights on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

During the event, Santa’s Little Helper, Marines and children have snowball fights on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

Santa Claus listens to what children want for Christmas during the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus listens to what children want for Christmas during the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

Santa Claus listens to what children want for Christmas during the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus listens to what children want for Christmas during the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

Santa Claus arrives for the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus arrives for the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

Santa Claus listens to what children want for Christmas during the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus listens to what children want for Christmas during the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

Santa Claus arrives in a Light Armored Vehicle for the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The LAV is with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus arrives in a Light Armored Vehicle for the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The LAV is with Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

Santa Claus hugs children when he arrives for the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Santa Claus hugs children when he arrives for the event, Santa’s Little Helper, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2015. The event also had Santa fast rope out of a helicopter, fake snow, a bouncy castle, face painting and food served. The event was hosted by Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Community Services. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

U.S. Navy Lt. Todd A. Trumble speaks to Marines and sailors about Elevate and the upcoming plans Dec. 11 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Elevate is a program created for service members to come together and enjoy an alcohol-free night, as well as to promote healthy behavioral choices. Trumble from Lynchburg, Virginia is a chaplain with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica N. Etheridge/Released)

U.S. Navy Lt. Todd A. Trumble speaks to Marines and sailors about Elevate and the upcoming plans Dec. 11 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Elevate is a program created for service members to come together and enjoy an alcohol-free night, as well as to promote healthy behavioral choices. Trumble from Lynchburg, Virginia is a chaplain with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica N. Etheridge/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica Etheridge

Marines and sailors participate in "cornhole" competitions during Elevate on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11. Elevate is a program created for service members to come together and enjoy an alcohol-free night, as well as to promote healthy behavioral choices. During the program the service members ate, played video games and other activities all leading up to the final event, bubble soccer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica N. Etheridge/Released)

Marines and sailors participate in "cornhole" competitions during Elevate on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11. Elevate is a program created for service members to come together and enjoy an alcohol-free night, as well as to promote healthy behavioral choices. During the program the service members ate, played video games and other activities all leading up to the final event, bubble soccer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica N. Etheridge/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica Etheridge

Marines and sailors participate in Elevate's main event, bubble soccer, on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11. Elevate is a program created for service members to come together and enjoy an alcohol-free night, as well as to promote healthy behavioral choices. The coordinator of the program, U.S. Navy Lt. Todd A. Trumble, put together bubble soccer so that service members can actively end their night. Trumble, from Lynchburg, Virginia, is a chaplin with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica N. Etheridge/Released)

Marines and sailors participate in Elevate's main event, bubble soccer, on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11. Elevate is a program created for service members to come together and enjoy an alcohol-free night, as well as to promote healthy behavioral choices. The coordinator of the program, U.S. Navy Lt. Todd A. Trumble, put together bubble soccer so that service members can actively end their night. Trumble, from Lynchburg, Virginia, is a chaplin with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica N. Etheridge/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica Etheridge

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III Marine Expeditionary Force