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Republic of Korea military leader visits Okinawa

Lt. Gen. Sang Hoon Lee, commandant of the of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, right, greets Col. Erik B. Kraft, III Marine Expeditionary Force operations officer, left, before entering III MEF Headquarters to talk about strengthening plans, operations and relationships between the two militaries Dec. 11, at Camp Courtney. Lee was on Okinawa from Dec. 11 to increase awareness of senior leader collaboration and oneness of the Combined Marine Component Command. The CMCC is a focused combined force designed to protect the safety and security of the people of Korea.

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31st MEU Shallow Water Egress Training

An underwater egress training instructor prepares Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit on breathing through an emergency escape breathing device Nov. 17, 2015, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. Marines attended the Shallow Water Egress Training Course to prepare them in the event that their vehicle were to crash in water. SWET is just one example of unique training conducted by the 31st MEU Marines.

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Marines Use Improved Ribbon Bridge, Test Air Capabilities During Exercise Blue Chromite

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)

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Naval Vessels Push Marine Amphibious Capabilities During Blue Chromite

OKINAWA, Japan (Oct. 27, 2015) - A landing craft air cushion-class hovercraft approaches Kin Blue for a beach landing exercise during Blue Chromite 2016. Blue Chromite is a large-scale, cost effective on-island training event lead by 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

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PMO hosts local law enforcement

Police officers and officials with the Okinawa Prefectural Police observe a military working dog demonstration during a tour of the Provost Marshal's Office Oct. 23 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The visit was part of an effort by PMO and OPP to learn about one another's operations and build upon an already fruitful partnership between the two organizations, according to Sgt. Hiroki Ashitomi, an officer with the 2nd Criminal Investigation Section, OPP.

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Premier Marine Corps amphibious, aerial exercise underway in Okinawa

Flares from a C-130 Hercules transportation aircraft illuminate the landing zone for an incoming CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter during a fire support coordination exercise that kicked off Blue Chromite 2016, at Okinawa, Japan, today. Blue Chromite is large-scale air-ground training exercise that builds upon the Marine Corps’ sea-borne, rapid-reaction capabilities while maintaining the Corps’ strategic presence in the Pacific. The principle units involved in the ongoing exercise are 3rd Marine Division, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and 3rd Marine Logistics Group, all subordinate commands of III Marine Expeditionary Force.

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Elementary school hosts Marines at Ribbon cutting Ceremony during PHIBLEX 2015

U.S. and Philippine service members salute at the ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 8, during Amphibious Landing Exercise 2015. PHIBLEX is an annual, bilateral training exercise conducted by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines alongside U.S. Marine and Navy Forces. It focuses on strengthening the partnership and relationships between the two nations across a range of military operations, including disaster relief and complex expeditionary operations. The ribbon cutting ceremony signified the end of the Humanitarian Civic Assistance projects at the Concepcion and Binduyan Elementary schools.

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18th Wing participates in Okinawa disaster drill

In this photo, a Japan Coast Guard S-76D hovers as members lower a rescue swimmer during an annual Okinawa Prefectural Government bilateral disaster response exercise at Atta Port, Japan, Sept. 5, 2015. The scenario centered on the evacuation and rescue of Okinawa inhabitants following a deadly tsunami hitting the island’s eastern coast. A total of 82 separate entities from the U.S. military, Japan Self-Defense Force and local emergency responders worked together to ensure the success of the exercise.

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Nepal HADR

KATHMANDU, Nepal (May 5, 2015) - Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler meets with Alfonso Lenhardt and members of the United States Agency of International Development at Tribhuvan international airport before they depart to village Bhirkuna Deurali, Nepal. After Nepal was struck by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake Wissler and USAID members distribute supplies including tarps, sleeping systems and water purification solution. The Nepalese Government requested the U.S. Government's help after the earthquake. USAID is a U.S. Government agency that gives civilian foreign aid in time of natural disasters. Wissler is the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force.

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U.S. Marine aircraft arrive in Kathmandu to support Nepal earthquake relief

KATHMANDU, Nepal (May 3, 2015) - U.S. Marine V-22 Ospreys fly into Tribhuvan International Airport. U.S. Marines also brought an UH-1N Huey, tools and equipment to support the government of Nepal. The Nepalese Government requested the U.S. Government's help after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck their country, April 25. The Marines are with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group 12, I Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

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Balikatan 2015

In this photo file, U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit discuss pre-flight information while Philippine Air Force (PAF) air battle managers board a 961st AACS E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) during exercise Balikatan 2015 on Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 23. This exercise marks the first time in history that PAF air battle managers have controlled other aircraft while onboard the AWACS. Since the exercise began, April 20, the 961st AACS has integrated 20 PAF weapons controllers during their missions to provide them with first-hand experience using the aircraft’s systems. The 961st AACS is stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan.

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Good neighbor: Wisconsin ANG connects with community

In this file photo, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Timothy Dupke, Wisconsin Air National Guard 115th Maintenance Group ordnance technician, carries a child from the Midori Gakudo after-school care center on his shoulders in Okinawa City, Japan, March 27, 2015. Dupke and other members from the 115th MXG organized several games and Easter-themed activities for the children to play in an effort to interact with the local community during their time on island.

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U.S. Marines, airmen and Republic of Korea troops train for contamination

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea (Mar. 19, 20150) - Republic of Korea (ROK) airmen perform a decontamination operation. ROK airmen participated in a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear joint training exercise with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 CBRN and 51st Civil Engineer Squadron CBRN. The week-long bilateral training event enabled U.S. Marines and airmen, and ROK airmen to learn different tactics, techniques and procedures.

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Further, Faster with More: Special Forces Appreciates Osprey's Capabilities

TORII STATION, Okinawa (May 28, 2015) - One commonality of these professionals is a penchant for jumping out of a perfectly good airplane -or a helicopter - or both.

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U.S., ROK Marines train shoulder to shoulder during KMEP 15-17

POHANG, Republic of Korea (Feb. 13, 2015) - Republic of Korea (ROK) and U.S. Marines prepare to fire a shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon (SMAW) during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-17 at the Cham Sae Mi Close-Quarters Battle Training. The SMAW is a shoulder-launched rocket weapon with the primary function of being a portable assault weapon and a secondary anti-armor rocket launcher. From planning to execution, KMEP 15-17 has been a bilateral and collaborative effort between ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. The ROK Marines are with Company 5, 32nd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

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Rappel, Climb, Patrol, Repeat: ROK Marines, 3/3 Train Mountain Warfare

POHANG, South Korea (Feb. 8, 2015) - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew T. Joeckel, a Houston, Texas, native, prepares to rappel down the tower during Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) 15-17 at the Minam-ri Mountain Warfare Training Facility, Pohang. Training alongside the Republic of Korea (ROK) Marines gave the U.S. Marines the unique opportunity to revisit a familiar skill with a foreign force. The overarching goal of KMEP is to enhance and improve the interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces. Joeckel is a rifleman with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

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Survival, Spiders and Cobras in Thailand

BAN CHAN KREM, Thailand (Feb. 8, 2015) - Lance Cpl. James Hutsell, from Fayetteville, N.C., drinks coconut water during exercise Cobra Gold 2015. The Royal Thai Marines shared several of their native fruits found in the jungle with U.S. Marines. Hutsell is a radio operator with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment under the unit deployment program.

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ROK, US Marines exchange combat maneuver tactics

PYEONGCHANG, Republic of Korea (Feb. 4, 2015) - Republic of Korea (ROK) Marines demonstrate their combat tactics for U.S. Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-4 at the Pyeongchang Winter Training Facility. Sharing cultures is a significant factor in gaining a better understanding of the combat tactics of the two forces despite the language barrier, according to ROK Marine Capt. Moon Jung Hwan. KMEP is a regularly scheduled, bilateral, small-unit training exercise, which enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps’ forces. The ROK Marines are with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.

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US, ROK Marines ruck over mountains

In this file photo, U.S. and Republic of Korea Marines hike a 35- km path up a mountain Jan. 15 during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-3 in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. The U.S. Marines hiked side-by-side with their ROK Marine counterparts through snow and ice. The U.S. Marines are reconnaissance men with Alpha Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The ROK Marines are force reconnaissance men with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.

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Royal Cambodian Gendarmerie work with US Marines

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Jan. 12, 2015) - Cambodian Royal Gendarmerie Maj. Chheang Songmeng, left, discusses upcoming training goals with U.S. Marine Cpl. Jonathan Cabrera during a meeting prior to the opening of Royal Preah Khan. Royal Preah Khan is a simulated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise focused on enhancing response capabilities through staff training, crisis action planning, a command post exercise and enhancing Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Marine cooperation.

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