News Stories Archive

Republic of Korea Marines demonstrate their combat tactics for U.S. Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-4 Feb. 4 at the Pyeongchang Winter Training Facility, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Cedric R. Haller II/Released) - Republic of Korea Marines demonstrate their combat tactics for U.S. Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-4 Feb. 4 at the Pyeongchang Winter Training Facility, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Cedric R. Haller II/Released)

Lance Cpl. Christian J. Hernandez (left) and Lance Cpl. Giovonni Mejia fire the M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Jan. 31 to support units engaged in the mechanized assault course at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. “Fighting with combined arms is on of the most important parts of the (Marine Air-Ground Task Force),” said Lt. Col. Neil J. Owens. Giovonni, a Dallas, Texas native and Hernandez, a Buford, Georgia, native are both cannoneers with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for ITX 2-15, as part of the ground combat element for SPMAGTF-4. Owens, a Medford, Massechusetts, native, is the commanding officer for 3rd Bn., 12th Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William Hester/ Released) - Lance Cpl. Christian J. Hernandez (left) and Lance Cpl. Giovonni Mejia fire the M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Jan. 31 to support units engaged in the mechanized assault course at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. “Fighting with combined arms is on of the most important parts of the (Marine Air-Ground Task Force),” said Lt. Col. Neil J. Owens. Giovonni, a Dallas, Texas native and Hernandez, a Buford, Georgia, native are both cannoneers with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for ITX 2-15, as part of the ground combat element for SPMAGTF-4. Owens, a Medford, Massechusetts, native, is the commanding officer for 3rd Bn., 12th Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William Hester/ Released)

A Philippine Marine posts security after fast-roping out of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft Jan. 22 at Basa Air Field. Fast-roping is just one of the multiple training events conducted during Aviation Assault Support Exercise 15.1. AASE expands and promotes cooperative training opportunities with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to enhance core skill proficiency and to increase operational readiness. The Philippine Marines are with various units and the U.S. Marines are with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment currently assigned to 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released). - A Philippine Marine posts security after fast-roping out of an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft Jan. 22 at Basa Air Field. Fast-roping is just one of the multiple training events conducted during Aviation Assault Support Exercise 15.1. AASE expands and promotes cooperative training opportunities with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to enhance core skill proficiency and to increase operational readiness. The Philippine Marines are with various units and the U.S. Marines are with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment currently assigned to 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released).

Lance Cpl. Ronald Summerlin prepares to reset equipment following the landing of an FA-18D Hornet Jan. 9 during arrested landing safety training on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Arrested landings are the use of equipment, such as a safety barrier or an arresting wire, to rapidly slow down aircraft and ensure the landing path is straight and clear. During the training, Marines demonstrated proficiency in the use of arresting equipment while ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment on the airstrip. Summerlin is a Virginia Beach, Virginia, native and an expeditionary airfield systems technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. - Lance Cpl. Ronald Summerlin prepares to reset equipment following the landing of an FA-18D Hornet Jan. 9 during arrested landing safety training on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Arrested landings are the use of equipment, such as a safety barrier or an arresting wire, to rapidly slow down aircraft and ensure the landing path is straight and clear. During the training, Marines demonstrated proficiency in the use of arresting equipment while ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment on the airstrip. Summerlin is a Virginia Beach, Virginia, native and an expeditionary airfield systems technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan.

Marines with Headquarters Regiment stand with their maintenance readiness awards from all four quarters and the overall 2014 fiscal year on Camp Kinser, Dec. 31. Headquarters Regiment, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force maintained an overall maintenance readiness of 90% or higher throughout the entire year of 2014. “My success comes from the success of my Marines,” said Col. Edmund J. Bowen, the regiment’s commanding officer, from Staten Island, New York. - Marines with Headquarters Regiment stand with their maintenance readiness awards from all four quarters and the overall 2014 fiscal year on Camp Kinser, Dec. 31. Headquarters Regiment, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force maintained an overall maintenance readiness of 90% or higher throughout the entire year of 2014. “My success comes from the success of my Marines,” said Col. Edmund J. Bowen, the regiment’s commanding officer, from Staten Island, New York.

Marines evacuate a simulated casualty Jan. 10 on Camp Courtney in Okinawa, Japan. The Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force took part in a night raid as the first of three situational training events that make up the Realistic Urban Training Exercise. Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF designed the training to test the MRF’s ability to respond to any contingency or crisis in the United States Pacific Command’s area of responsibility. - Marines evacuate a simulated casualty Jan. 10 on Camp Courtney in Okinawa, Japan. The Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force took part in a night raid as the first of three situational training events that make up the Realistic Urban Training Exercise. Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF designed the training to test the MRF’s ability to respond to any contingency or crisis in the United States Pacific Command’s area of responsibility.

Pfc. William Baker, a prospect for the Special Reaction Team, holds a shield during close-quarters battle training Jan. 8 at Camp Hansen. Baker is a San Antonio, Texas, native. The special reaction team is with the Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. The team is the military equivalent of Special Weapons and Tactics teams. - Pfc. William Baker, a prospect for the Special Reaction Team, holds a shield during close-quarters battle training Jan. 8 at Camp Hansen. Baker is a San Antonio, Texas, native. The special reaction team is with the Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. The team is the military equivalent of Special Weapons and Tactics teams.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Alex C. Cabero Jr., center, explains an upcoming event Dec. 9 to a group of Marines at Camp Kinser during a Truck Rodeo. The rodeo increased camaraderie and refreshed basic motor transportation skills for Marines stationed across Okinawa. Cabero, from Vista, California, is the unit movement control chief with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Master Gunnery Sgt. Alex C. Cabero Jr., center, explains an upcoming event Dec. 9 to a group of Marines at Camp Kinser during a Truck Rodeo. The rodeo increased camaraderie and refreshed basic motor transportation skills for Marines stationed across Okinawa. Cabero, from Vista, California, is the unit movement control chief with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Urasoe Police Department Officers search a suspect before taking him into custody Dec. 24 during an anti-terrorism force protection exercise at Camp Kinser. The police officers, with the Urasoe Police Department, and the Marines and Japanese security guards with Camp Kinser Provost Marshal’s Office coordinated during a mock scenario in which they worked together to apprehend suspicious persons and vehicles attempting to access Camp Kinser. - Urasoe Police Department Officers search a suspect before taking him into custody Dec. 24 during an anti-terrorism force protection exercise at Camp Kinser. The police officers, with the Urasoe Police Department, and the Marines and Japanese security guards with Camp Kinser Provost Marshal’s Office coordinated during a mock scenario in which they worked together to apprehend suspicious persons and vehicles attempting to access Camp Kinser.