Marines, Sailors, Airmen banded together with Misawa City employees to participate in the beach cleanup. - A U.S. Marine and Sailor search for trash at Miss Veedol Beach, Misawa, Japan, August 19, 2017, during Exercise Northern Viper 2017. Marines, Sailors, Airmen banded together with Misawa City employees to participate in the beach cleanup. NV17 tests the interoperability and bilateral capability of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marine Corps forces to enhance regional cooperation between participating nations to collectively deter security threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez)
Capt. Justin Griffis is a current operations and training officer with Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, whom assisted in the rescue of a 7-year old Japanese boy who almost drowned at Maeda Flats, Okinawa, Japan, July 23, 2017. - Capt. Justin Griffis is a current operations and training officer with Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, whom assisted in the rescue of a 7-year old Japanese boy who almost drowned at Maeda Flats, Okinawa, Japan, July 23, 2017.
This exercise tests the interoperability and bilateral capability of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marine Corps forces to work together and provides the opportunity to conduct realistic training in an unfamiliar environment. - Pfc. James P. Gross, a radio and satellite communications operator, places barbed wire on the ground at Misawa Air Base, Japan, August 10, 2017, signifying the start of exercise Northern Viper 2017. This exercise tests the interoperability and bilateral capability of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marine Corps forces to work together and provides the opportunity to conduct realistic training in an unfamiliar environment. Gross, a Milwaukee native, is with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez)
. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Katie M. Yetter, a collateral duty inspector with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121’s seat shop, stabilizes a canopy while being moved at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 4, 2017. The squadron’s seat shop Marines are responsible for egress systems and environmental controls and oxygen systems within the F-35B Lighting II aircraft. Ensuring proper operating systems within their area of operation keeps aircraft in the air and has the potential of saving pilots’ lives. (U.S. Marine corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abrego)
Lance Cpl. Jeanette E. Fernando and other Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, hike towards the Iwo Jima memorial site on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan, July 26, 2017. - Lance Cpl. Jeanette E. Fernando and other Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, hike towards the Iwo Jima memorial site on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan, July 26, 2017. Fernando and other Marines in her squadron were given the opportunity to revisit the battlegrounds at which Fernando's grandfather, a Navajo Code Talker, fought during World War II. Fernando is an airframe mechanic assigned to HMLA-169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, currently on a unit deployment program with 1st MAW based in Okinawa, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Laura Gauna)
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cole Moore, a powerline mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, secures storage on an F/A-18C Hornet at JASDF Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, July 24, 2017. Maintenance keeps aircraft in a constant state of preparedness to enhance operational readiness and mission accomplishment. This is the first time that VMFA-232 has been to JASDF Hyakuri Air Base, which gave the local Japanese forces the ability to simulate air-to-air maneuvers with dissimilar aircraft. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cole Moore, a powerline mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, secures storage on an F/A-18C Hornet at JASDF Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, July 24, 2017. Maintenance keeps aircraft in a constant state of preparedness to enhance operational readiness and mission accomplishment. This is the first time that VMFA-232 has been to JASDF Hyakuri Air Base, which gave the local Japanese forces the ability to simulate air-to-air maneuvers with dissimilar aircraft. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Xavier Diaz, an airframes mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, waits before refilling the reservoirs of an F/A-18C Hornet at Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, July 12, 2017. VMFA-232 has been conducting exercises with the JASDF as part of the Aviation Training Relocation program, which is designed to increase operational readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces. The squadron plans to enhance proficiency in dissimilar basic fighter section engaged maneuvers, active air defense and air interdictions, as well as conduct fighter attack instructor work-ups, and weapons and tactics instructor prerequisites. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Xavier Diaz, an airframes mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, waits before refilling the reservoirs of an F/A-18C Hornet at Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, July 12, 2017. VMFA-232 has been conducting exercises with the JASDF as part of the Aviation Training Relocation program, which is designed to increase operational readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces. The squadron plans to enhance proficiency in dissimilar basic fighter section engaged maneuvers, active air defense and air interdictions, as well as conduct fighter attack instructor work-ups, and weapons and tactics instructor prerequisites. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)
A Japanese Ground Self-Defense service member picks up a neutralized threat on a contaminated airstrip during a simulated joint study with U.S. Marine chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialists from Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, July 13, 2017. The joint study tests Marines' and JGSDF CBRN response capabilities. The JGSDF service member is with 15th Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defense Unit (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kelsey Dornfeld). - A Japanese Ground Self-Defense service member picks up a neutralized threat on a contaminated airstrip during a simulated joint study with U.S. Marine chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialists from Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, July 13, 2017. The joint study tests Marines' and JGSDF CBRN response capabilities. The JGSDF service member is with 15th Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defense Unit (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kelsey Dornfeld).
U.S. Marines and Airmen conduct a hot pit refuel on the F-35B Lightning II aircraft at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, June 27, 2017. The Marines are with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and the Airmen are with 18th Logistics and Readiness Squadron, 353 Special Operations Group, 18th Wing. The two-day exercise enabled the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps to improve interoperability and develop tactics, techniques and procedures involving the new aircraft for future joint FARP operations throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific Theater. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Deseree Kamm) - U.S. Marines and Airmen conduct a hot pit refuel on the F-35B Lightning II aircraft at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, June 27, 2017. The Marines are with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and the Airmen are with 18th Logistics and Readiness Squadron, 353 Special Operations Group, 18th Wing. The two-day exercise enabled the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps to improve interoperability and develop tactics, techniques and procedures involving the new aircraft for future joint FARP operations throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific Theater. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Deseree Kamm)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted a training flight from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, June 26, 2017. The Marines with VMFA- 121 worked alongside Airmen with the 18th Wing. This event marked the first time an F-35B Lightning II landed in Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Charles Plouffe) - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, conducted a training flight from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, June 26, 2017. The Marines with VMFA- 121 worked alongside Airmen with the 18th Wing. This event marked the first time an F-35B Lightning II landed in Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Charles Plouffe)