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A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 watches other Marines load ordnance on a F-35B Lightning II while conducting a hotload during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 1-18 in Yuma, AZ, on Sept. 21, 2017. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1)-1 cadre which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. - A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 watches other Marines load ordnance on a F-35B Lightning II while conducting a hotload during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 1-18 in Yuma, AZ, on Sept. 21, 2017. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1)-1 cadre which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel study the F-35B Lightning II during an educational tour and class led by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 13, 2017. Several classes were conducted for JASDF personnel regarding maintenance, serviceability, operability and more. Afterwards, they briefly toured VMFA-121’s facility, taking a peek into different departments and visiting the hangar to see, touch and study the aircraft up close. This is the first time VMFA-121 has conducted an exchange like this. - Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel study the F-35B Lightning II during an educational tour and class led by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 13, 2017. Several classes were conducted for JASDF personnel regarding maintenance, serviceability, operability and more. Afterwards, they briefly toured VMFA-121’s facility, taking a peek into different departments and visiting the hangar to see, touch and study the aircraft up close. This is the first time VMFA-121 has conducted an exchange like this.

The “Red Dragons” supported the Australian Defence Force as the aviation combat element for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D), Australia. These are the first Trans-Pacific flights the MV-22 Ospreys have conducted from Hawaii to Australia. This movement demonstrates that the unfueled range of our MV-22s combined with our refueling capabilities allow us to reach across the entire Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Marine Corps can get it's aircraft and personnel to a crisis on the other side of the world in a matter of days. - Capt. Joseph Raines, a pilot training officer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, nicknamed the “Red Dragons,” poses for a photo with his wife, Kelcie, after completing a trans-Pacific flight from Australia, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Sept. 19, 2017. The “Red Dragons” supported the Australian Defence Force as the aviation combat element for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D), Australia. These are the first Trans-Pacific flights the MV-22 Ospreys have conducted from Hawaii to Australia. This movement demonstrates that the unfueled range of our MV-22s combined with our refueling capabilities allow us to reach across the entire Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Marine Corps can get it's aircraft and personnel to a crisis on the other side of the world in a matter of days. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jesus Sepulveda Torres)

Two MV-22 Ospreys arrive at Misawa Air Base, Japan, August 11, 2017, in support of exercise Northern Viper 17. The 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. The aircraft are assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez) - Two MV-22 Ospreys arrive at Misawa Air Base, Japan, August 11, 2017, in support of exercise Northern Viper 17. The 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. The aircraft are assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez)

Marines conduct external lift training at Draughon Range near Misawa Air Base, Japan, August 21, 2017, in support of exercise Northern Viper 17. - Pfc. Tyler J. Nye (left) and Cpl. Tyler D. Reed (right), both landing support specialist, prepare to attach a container to a CH-53E Super Stallion during external lifts training at Draughon Range near Misawa Air Base, Japan, August 21, 2017, in support of exercise Northern Viper 17. This combined-joint exercise is held to enhance regional cooperation between participating nations to collectively deter security threats. Nye, a Lincoln, Nebraska native, and Reed, a Waukesha, Wisconsin native, are assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistic Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez)

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)