LEADERS - Page 11

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.

VMFA-121 helps prepare JASDF for F-35A

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 hosted members of Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Third Air Wing for an educational tour and class centered around the F-35A Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 13, 2017.

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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)

Hawaii Marines with VMM-268 come home from deployment

From the land down under, where kangaroos and koalas call home, MV-22B Osprey aircraft with their crews arrived back in Hawaii from their deployment with Marine Rotational Force, Darwin (MRF-D), Australia.

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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)

Northern Viper 17 comes to an end

For the past three weeks, Misawa Air Base, Japan, hosted U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing during Northern Viper 2017, an annual joint contingency exercise that tests the interoperability and bilateral capability of the Japan Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marine Corps forces. The exercise took place at Misawa AB and on the nearby island of Hokkaido, August 10-28, 2017.

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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)

Heavy Haulers, Helicopter Support Team flex their muscles during Northern Viper

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 “Heavy Haulers” and Combat Logistics Battalion 4 utilized a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter for external-lift training at Draughon Range near Misawa Air Base, Japan, August 21, 2017, during exercise Northern Viper 2017.

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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)

1st MAW Marines strengthen relationship with Misawa community

More than 20 Marines, Sailors and Airmen banded together with Misawa City employees to conduct a beach cleanup at Miss Veedol Beach in Misawa, Japan, August 19, 2017, during Exercise Northern Viper 2017.

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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.

Marine aids in rescue of 7-year old Japanese boy, inspired to make a difference

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Cries of a desperate mother and the sight of a child’s limp body on the beach alarmed Capt. Justin Griffis, who up until that point was spending a normal day snorkeling with his family at Maeda Flats in Okinawa, Japan, July 23, 2017.

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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)

Northern Viper kicks off for the first time ever

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – For the first time, more than 2,000 U.S. Marines joined with approximately 1,500 service members with the Japan Self-Defense Force to support the first iteration of Exercise Northern Viper 2017, at Misawa Air Base and the island of Hokkaido, Japan, August 10-28, 2017.

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. - 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)

VMFA-121’s seat shop embodies attention to detail

Turning wrenches, checking operating systems, safety inspections and ensuring a last line of defense are all part of daily life as a seat shop Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121. Safeguarding pilots on everyday flights through hard work, dedication and meticulous attention to detail earned the seat shop Outstanding Work Center of the Month for July 2017 within the squadron

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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)

Marine visits battleground where grandfather served as a Navajo Code Talker

More than 70 years ago, during World War II, a group of Native-American Marines known as Navajo Code Talkers used their native tongue, Navajo, to transmit secret strategic messages via radios.

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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)