News Stories Archive

Powerliners assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 perform maintenance on an F/A-18D Hornet after a flight mission during Exercise Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 18, 2016. Powerliners, airframes mechanics, communication navigation, and ordnance technicians, work around the clock to ensure flight schedules are met for aviation operations during the exercise. During this U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise, F/A-18D Hornets flew in a plethora of missions that emphasize joint integration, interoperability and expeditionary readiness. - Powerliners assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 perform maintenance on an F/A-18D Hornet after a flight mission during Exercise Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 18, 2016. Powerliners, airframes mechanics, communication navigation, and ordnance technicians, work around the clock to ensure flight schedules are met for aviation operations during the exercise. During this U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise, F/A-18D Hornets flew in a plethora of missions that emphasize joint integration, interoperability and expeditionary readiness.

U.S. Navy sailors of Patrol Squadron 46 load a P-3 Orion aircraft with AGM-65F MAVERICKS Air to Surface Missiles prior to a sinking exercise Sept. 13, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Valiant Shield 2016. SINKEX provided service members the opportunity to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting, and live firing against a surface target at sea. Valiant Shield is a biennial, U.S. -only field-training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces. - U.S. Navy sailors of Patrol Squadron 46 load a P-3 Orion aircraft with AGM-65F MAVERICKS Air to Surface Missiles prior to a sinking exercise Sept. 13, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Valiant Shield 2016. SINKEX provided service members the opportunity to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting, and live firing against a surface target at sea. Valiant Shield is a biennial, U.S. -only field-training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces.

A combat controller from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron clears a UH-60 Blackhawk for takeoff during a humanitarian assistance and disaster response as part of Rim of the Pacific 2016, at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, July 10, 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971. - A combat controller from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron clears a UH-60 Blackhawk for takeoff during a humanitarian assistance and disaster response as part of Rim of the Pacific 2016, at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, July 10, 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

U.S. Marine Col. Eric M. Mellinger, right, receives a certificate of appreciation and a Defense Cooperation Medal from Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Shusei Hotta on behalf of Gen. Kiyofumi Iwata, June 13, 2016, at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. Mellinger was awarded for significantly contributing to increased training opportunities for the JGSDF by advancing co-use of Marine Corps training facilities on Okinawa and expanding III Marine Expeditionary Force efforts to participate in alliance/bilateral exercises. Hotta is the deputy chief of Policy and Programs Division, Ground Staff Office, JGSDF. Iwata is JGSDF chief of staff. Mellinger is III MEF chief of staff. - U.S. Marine Col. Eric M. Mellinger, right, receives a certificate of appreciation and a Defense Cooperation Medal from Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Shusei Hotta on behalf of Gen. Kiyofumi Iwata, June 13, 2016, at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. Mellinger was awarded for significantly contributing to increased training opportunities for the JGSDF by advancing co-use of Marine Corps training facilities on Okinawa and expanding III Marine Expeditionary Force efforts to participate in alliance/bilateral exercises. Hotta is the deputy chief of Policy and Programs Division, Ground Staff Office, JGSDF. Iwata is JGSDF chief of staff. Mellinger is III MEF chief of staff.

Pvt. Hermenegildo Martins attends the non-lethal weapons course held by U.S. Marines with Task Force Koa Moana during Exercise Crocodilo 16, June 7, 2016, at Metinaro, Timor Leste, as part of the task force’s deployment to nations in the Asia-Pacific region. The course gives Timorese the opportunity to learn less-than-lethal techniques from their U.S. counterparts. Crocodilo is a multi-national, bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and relations with participating nations. Martins is an infantryman with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, Timor Leste Defense Force, stationed in Baucau, Timor Leste. - Pvt. Hermenegildo Martins attends the non-lethal weapons course held by U.S. Marines with Task Force Koa Moana during Exercise Crocodilo 16, June 7, 2016, at Metinaro, Timor Leste, as part of the task force’s deployment to nations in the Asia-Pacific region. The course gives Timorese the opportunity to learn less-than-lethal techniques from their U.S. counterparts. Crocodilo is a multi-national, bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and relations with participating nations. Martins is an infantryman with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, Timor Leste Defense Force, stationed in Baucau, Timor Leste.

U.S. Marines from 3rd Marine Division, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense platoon, Headquarters Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare to enter a room suspected of hazardous materials during exercise Habu Sentinel 16 at Disaster Village, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 7, 2016. As the annual capstone exercise for the division’s response element, this event encompasses multiple objectives specific to CBRN response and validates unit standard operating procedures in an unfamiliar training environment. - U.S. Marines from 3rd Marine Division, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense platoon, Headquarters Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare to enter a room suspected of hazardous materials during exercise Habu Sentinel 16 at Disaster Village, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 7, 2016. As the annual capstone exercise for the division’s response element, this event encompasses multiple objectives specific to CBRN response and validates unit standard operating procedures in an unfamiliar training environment.

Master Sgt. Leroy A. Forbes reads off names for accountability for Task Force Koa Moana at Tengan Pier, Okinawa, Japan on May 18, 2016. The task force is responsible for conducting a series of bilateral, multi-national exercises involving a company-sized element of Marines and Sailors from different units within III Marine Expeditionary Force. They will be traveling to countries in the Asia-Pacific region aboard the USNS Sacagawea, a Marine Prepositioning Force ship. The ship is normally a mobile warehouse for Marines’ supplies; however, during this exercise, it will serve to transport personnel to multiple nations, where they will conduct basic military training and cultural exchange to increase relations and interoperability between participating nations. Forbes, from Hartford, Conn., is a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and is the task force’s senior enlisted in charge for the series of exercises. - Master Sgt. Leroy A. Forbes reads off names for accountability for Task Force Koa Moana at Tengan Pier, Okinawa, Japan on May 18, 2016. The task force is responsible for conducting a series of bilateral, multi-national exercises involving a company-sized element of Marines and Sailors from different units within III Marine Expeditionary Force. They will be traveling to countries in the Asia-Pacific region aboard the USNS Sacagawea, a Marine Prepositioning Force ship. The ship is normally a mobile warehouse for Marines’ supplies; however, during this exercise, it will serve to transport personnel to multiple nations, where they will conduct basic military training and cultural exchange to increase relations and interoperability between participating nations. Forbes, from Hartford, Conn., is a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and is the task force’s senior enlisted in charge for the series of exercises.

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member visiting the annual Training Expo at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan tests out the Instrumental Tactical Evaluation Simulated System on Friday, April 29, 2016. This recently updated system works almost like the popular game, "laser tag," where a laptop traces the marksmanship of the shooter. This training can be recorded and handed back to the unit on a CD to evaluate performance. - A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member visiting the annual Training Expo at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan tests out the Instrumental Tactical Evaluation Simulated System on Friday, April 29, 2016. This recently updated system works almost like the popular game, "laser tag," where a laptop traces the marksmanship of the shooter. This training can be recorded and handed back to the unit on a CD to evaluate performance.

Marines fire an illumination round from an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm during live-fire artillery training Sept. 1 at the Yausubetsu Maneuver Area in Hokkaido as part of Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-2. The illumination round is able to light a 1-by-1-kilometer grid square for two minutes. The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines fire an illumination round from an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm during live-fire artillery training Sept. 1 at the Yausubetsu Maneuver Area in Hokkaido as part of Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-2. The illumination round is able to light a 1-by-1-kilometer grid square for two minutes. The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Sgt. Jeffrey L. Allen scopes out the terrain from his seat in a UH-1Y Huey at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, April 8, 2016,. Allen, along with other crew chiefs and aircraft maintainers, may work up to 16 hours a day performing maintenance and checks on aircraft to ensure safe missions. Allen, from Ennis, Texas, is with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, currently supporting Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - Sgt. Jeffrey L. Allen scopes out the terrain from his seat in a UH-1Y Huey at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, April 8, 2016,. Allen, along with other crew chiefs and aircraft maintainers, may work up to 16 hours a day performing maintenance and checks on aircraft to ensure safe missions. Allen, from Ennis, Texas, is with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, currently supporting Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.