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Marines

EXPLORE PHOTOS

III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Okinawa, Japan

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Sergeant Chance Love, from Sturgis, South Dakota, paints a “bat symbol” on 11-year-old Yoshihama Ryuga’s face at the Trunk-or-Treat event on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, on Oct. 31. This was the first year a Halloween event was held on base for the members of the Henoko community. There was food, candy and face painting at the event. U.S. Marines are good neighbors who are engaged with and contribute to Okinawa communities. Love is a field radio operator with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Sergeant Chance Love, from Sturgis, South Dakota, paints a “bat symbol” on 11-year-old Yoshihama Ryuga’s face at the Trunk-or-Treat event on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, on Oct. 31. This was the first year a Halloween event was held on base for the members of the Henoko community. There was food, candy and face painting at the event. U.S. Marines are good neighbors who are engaged with and contribute to Okinawa communities. Love is a field radio operator with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Carl King Jr.

Former Marine Corps Sgt. William C. Stanley hands out pieces of cake to children from the Henoko community in front of the USO on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, on Oct. 31. This was the first year a Halloween event was held on base for the members of the Henoko community. There was food, candy and face painting at the event. U.S. Marines are good neighbors who are engaged with and contribute to Okinawa communities. Stanley, from Asheville, North Carolina, is the manager of the USO on Camp Schwab.

Former Marine Corps Sgt. William C. Stanley hands out pieces of cake to children from the Henoko community in front of the USO on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, on Oct. 31. This was the first year a Halloween event was held on base for the members of the Henoko community. There was food, candy and face painting at the event. U.S. Marines are good neighbors who are engaged with and contribute to Okinawa communities. Stanley, from Asheville, North Carolina, is the manager of the USO on Camp Schwab.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Carl King Jr.

Fumi Iha, right, and Lt. Col. Jim Sweeney, center, give opening remarks at the Trunk-or-Treat event on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, on Oct. 31. This was the first year a Halloween event was held on base for the members of the Okinawa community. There was food, candy and face painting at the event. U.S. Marines are good neighbors who are engaged with and contribute to Okinawa communities. Iha is the community relationship specialist for Camp Schwab. Sweeney, from Omaha, Nebraska, is the executive officer with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Fumi Iha, right, and Lt. Col. Jim Sweeney, center, give opening remarks at the Trunk-or-Treat event on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, on Oct. 31. This was the first year a Halloween event was held on base for the members of the Okinawa community. There was food, candy and face painting at the event. U.S. Marines are good neighbors who are engaged with and contribute to Okinawa communities. Iha is the community relationship specialist for Camp Schwab. Sweeney, from Omaha, Nebraska, is the executive officer with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Carl King Jr.

Marines work to complete a 15-bay Improved Ribbon Bridge in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Marines work to complete a 15-bay Improved Ribbon Bridge in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Marines work to complete a 15-bay Improved Ribbon Bridge as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter inserts bridge components into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thor Larson/Released)

Marines work to complete a 15-bay Improved Ribbon Bridge as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter inserts bridge components into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thor Larson/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Thor Larson

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter inserts components of the Improved Ribbon Bridge into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter inserts components of the Improved Ribbon Bridge into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter inserts components of the Improved Ribbon Bridge into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter inserts components of the Improved Ribbon Bridge into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Marines move a component of a 15-bay Improved Ribbon Bridge as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter descends to airlift more bridge components into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Marines move a component of a 15-bay Improved Ribbon Bridge as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter descends to airlift more bridge components into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Marines open a component of an Improved Ribbon Bridge in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Marines open a component of an Improved Ribbon Bridge in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Marines move a component of a 15-bay Improved Ribbon Bridge as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter inserts bridge components into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Marines move a component of a 15-bay Improved Ribbon Bridge as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter inserts bridge components into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter inserts a Bridge Erection Boat into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Bridge Erection Boats are the watercraft used to move and correctly position the components of the bridge. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter inserts a Bridge Erection Boat into the water in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during Blue Chromite 2016, Nov. 2, 2015. This was the first time that Improved Ribbon Bridges, flat modular-floating platforms that bridge wet gaps, were inserted by air on Okinawa. Bridge Erection Boats are the watercraft used to move and correctly position the components of the bridge. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Cpl. Tyler Willis, left, from Greenville, South Carolina; Lance Cpl. Adam Gentilin, center, from Troy, Pennsylvania; and Cpl. Michael B. Wheeler, from Buffalo, New York, ride in an MV-22B Osprey over Okinawa, Japan, while conducting a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Gentilin and Wheeler are machine gunners and Willis is an antitank missileman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Airwing, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Cpl. Tyler Willis, left, from Greenville, South Carolina; Lance Cpl. Adam Gentilin, center, from Troy, Pennsylvania; and Cpl. Michael B. Wheeler, from Buffalo, New York, ride in an MV-22B Osprey over Okinawa, Japan, while conducting a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Gentilin and Wheeler are machine gunners and Willis is an antitank missileman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Airwing, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Cpl. Michael B. Wheeler, from Buffalo, New York, kneels during a patrol halt in the Jungle Warfare Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, after landing for a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. The Okinawa jungle provided realistic training for Blue Chromite, a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Wheeler is a machine gunner with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Cpl. Michael B. Wheeler, from Buffalo, New York, kneels during a patrol halt in the Jungle Warfare Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, after landing for a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. The Okinawa jungle provided realistic training for Blue Chromite, a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Wheeler is a machine gunner with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Lance Cpl. Adam Gentilin, from Troy, Pennsylvania, stands security on a M2 .50-caliber Browning machine gun in the Jungle Warfare Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, as part of a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Gentilin is a machine gunner with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Lance Cpl. Adam Gentilin, from Troy, Pennsylvania, stands security on a M2 .50-caliber Browning machine gun in the Jungle Warfare Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, as part of a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Gentilin is a machine gunner with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, stands security behind a M240B medium machine gun in the Jungle Warfare Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, as part of a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines are part of 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, and are currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, stands security behind a M240B medium machine gun in the Jungle Warfare Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, as part of a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines are part of 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, and are currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Marines patrol through the Jungle Warfare Training Center on Okinawa, Japan, as part of a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Marines patrol through the Jungle Warfare Training Center on Okinawa, Japan, as part of a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Cpl. Michael B. Wheeler, from Buffalo, New York, applies camouflage paint on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, while preparing for a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015.
Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Wheeler is a machine gunner with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Cpl. Michael B. Wheeler, from Buffalo, New York, applies camouflage paint on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, while preparing for a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Wheeler is a machine gunner with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Lance Cpl. Andy Tam, from Brooklyn, New York, watches as a group of MV-22B Ospreys approach the landing zone on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, to pick up Marines for a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. The air assault displayed the Marine Corps ability to project force using the Osprey, transporting nearly an entire battalion of Marines into a notional combat zone where they set up a command and control center and defended it. The regimental air assault concluded Blue Chromite, a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Tam is a radio operator with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. The Ospreys are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Airwing, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Lance Cpl. Andy Tam, from Brooklyn, New York, watches as a group of MV-22B Ospreys approach the landing zone on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, to pick up Marines for a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. The air assault displayed the Marine Corps ability to project force using the Osprey, transporting nearly an entire battalion of Marines into a notional combat zone where they set up a command and control center and defended it. The regimental air assault concluded Blue Chromite, a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Tam is a radio operator with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. The Ospreys are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Airwing, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Marines board an MV-22B Osprey on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, to conduct a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. The Ospreys are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Airwing, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Marines board an MV-22B Osprey on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, to conduct a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. The Ospreys are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Airwing, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

Sgt. Jacob Browder, from Dacula, Georgia, rides in an MV-22B Osprey over Okinawa, Japan, while conducting a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. The Marines were picked up at a landing zone on Camp Hansen and inserted into the Jungle Warfare Training Area, where they set up a defense around their objective and built a command and control center. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Browder is an antitank missileman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Airwing, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Sgt. Jacob Browder, from Dacula, Georgia, rides in an MV-22B Osprey over Okinawa, Japan, while conducting a regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, Oct. 31, 2015. The Marines were picked up at a landing zone on Camp Hansen and inserted into the Jungle Warfare Training Area, where they set up a defense around their objective and built a command and control center. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train. Browder is an antitank missileman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, currently under the command of 4th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, III MEF. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Airwing, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Drew Tech/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech

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III Marine Expeditionary Force