News Stories Archive

Ken Asato, a corporal with the Uruma City Police Department, exits his vehicle as an “intruder” on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, June 11, 2015 during bilateral training between service members and the UCPD. The training ensured the camp guard, and the Provost Marshal’s Office are proficient in communicating with the UCPD to mitigate security threats involving service members and Okinawa residents. During the training event, Asato posed as an Okinawa resident entering the base without authorization. Camp guard Marines patrolling the perimeter of the base apprehended the intruder and rehearsed turnover procedures with PMO Marines. - Ken Asato, a corporal with the Uruma City Police Department, exits his vehicle as an “intruder” on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, June 11, 2015 during bilateral training between service members and the UCPD. The training ensured the camp guard, and the Provost Marshal’s Office are proficient in communicating with the UCPD to mitigate security threats involving service members and Okinawa residents. During the training event, Asato posed as an Okinawa resident entering the base without authorization. Camp guard Marines patrolling the perimeter of the base apprehended the intruder and rehearsed turnover procedures with PMO Marines.

An explosive ordnance disposal technician undergoes the decontamination process after leak, seal, package and decontamination training April 21 at the gas chamber on Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Explosive ordnance disposal technicians and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense specialists placed a leaking ordnance package in the gas chamber, using chlorobenzylidene malonitrile, also known as tear gas, to simulate the emission of harmful gases. - An explosive ordnance disposal technician undergoes the decontamination process after leak, seal, package and decontamination training April 21 at the gas chamber on Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Explosive ordnance disposal technicians and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense specialists placed a leaking ordnance package in the gas chamber, using chlorobenzylidene malonitrile, also known as tear gas, to simulate the emission of harmful gases.

Lance Corporal Brandon Renteria fires simulation rounds from a M32A1 multi-shot grenade launcher during a live-fire training event alongside Australian soldiers with 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Army, Australian Defence Force, May 15 at Kangaroo Flats Training Area, Victoria, Northern Territory, Australia. The Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, and Australian soldiers brushed up on squad attack tactics, basic point man skills and explosives to refine basic infantry skills. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines affords an unprecedented combined training opportunity with their Australian allies and improves interoperability between the two forces. Renteria is a rifleman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, MRF-D. - Lance Corporal Brandon Renteria fires simulation rounds from a M32A1 multi-shot grenade launcher during a live-fire training event alongside Australian soldiers with 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Army, Australian Defence Force, May 15 at Kangaroo Flats Training Area, Victoria, Northern Territory, Australia. The Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, and Australian soldiers brushed up on squad attack tactics, basic point man skills and explosives to refine basic infantry skills. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines affords an unprecedented combined training opportunity with their Australian allies and improves interoperability between the two forces. Renteria is a rifleman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, MRF-D.

U.S. Marine Corps vehicles are lined up for inspection May 9, 2015, at the port of Agadir, Morocco, following a Maritime Prepositioning Force offload in preparation for Exercise African Lion 15. An MPF is a strategic capability that provides commanders with a forward presence and rapid crisis response by offloading combat equipment and supplies from U.S. Military Sealift Command ships to support various units, and will be used to sustain the Marines and service members operating throughout the mission rehearsal. For the offload, Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, were joined with Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 453, Combat Logistics Regiment 4, 4th Marine Logistics Group, as well as sailors with NMCB 11. Exercise African Lion 15 is a combined joint task force exercise conducted in accordance with UN-mandated peace operations with humanitarian assistance themes and emphasizes the strong military bond between U.S. and Moroccan Armed Forces. It creates a foundation for slated inter-military cooperation in the future and improves interoperability between nations, building relationships with this key strategic region within the AFRICOM area of responsibility. - U.S. Marine Corps vehicles are lined up for inspection May 9, 2015, at the port of Agadir, Morocco, following a Maritime Prepositioning Force offload in preparation for Exercise African Lion 15. An MPF is a strategic capability that provides commanders with a forward presence and rapid crisis response by offloading combat equipment and supplies from U.S. Military Sealift Command ships to support various units, and will be used to sustain the Marines and service members operating throughout the mission rehearsal. For the offload, Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, were joined with Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 453, Combat Logistics Regiment 4, 4th Marine Logistics Group, as well as sailors with NMCB 11. Exercise African Lion 15 is a combined joint task force exercise conducted in accordance with UN-mandated peace operations with humanitarian assistance themes and emphasizes the strong military bond between U.S. and Moroccan Armed Forces. It creates a foundation for slated inter-military cooperation in the future and improves interoperability between nations, building relationships with this key strategic region within the AFRICOM area of responsibility.

A critical skills operator with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command searches the horizon for the objective zone from the ramp of a KC-130J Super Hercules during parachute training above Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 6, 2015. CSOs were supported by Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Aerial deliveries are one of the mission essential skills VMGR-252 provides in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. - A critical skills operator with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command searches the horizon for the objective zone from the ramp of a KC-130J Super Hercules during parachute training above Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 6, 2015. CSOs were supported by Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Aerial deliveries are one of the mission essential skills VMGR-252 provides in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Two chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense specialists ensure gas masks are properly fitted prior to leak, seal, package and decontamination training April 21 at the gas chamber on Camp Hansen, Okinawa. The CBRN defense specialists assisted in familiarizing explosive ordnance disposal technicians with decontamination procedures following the leak, seal, package process used to mitigate CBRN-related hazards. The EOD technicians and CBRN defense specialists used protective equipment to perform general decontamination of the affected area and prepare the leaking ordnance for safe containment and transport before completing the decontamination process. The training instilled the Marines’ confidence in their safety equipment and procedures used to mitigate CBRN-related hazards. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, and Marine Logistics Group Headquarters Regiment, 3rd MLG, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Two chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense specialists ensure gas masks are properly fitted prior to leak, seal, package and decontamination training April 21 at the gas chamber on Camp Hansen, Okinawa. The CBRN defense specialists assisted in familiarizing explosive ordnance disposal technicians with decontamination procedures following the leak, seal, package process used to mitigate CBRN-related hazards. The EOD technicians and CBRN defense specialists used protective equipment to perform general decontamination of the affected area and prepare the leaking ordnance for safe containment and transport before completing the decontamination process. The training instilled the Marines’ confidence in their safety equipment and procedures used to mitigate CBRN-related hazards. The Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, and Marine Logistics Group Headquarters Regiment, 3rd MLG, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean M. Stephenson poses for a photo in front of his AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) March 17, 2015. Stephenson started out his career as an enlisted band member and then persued his dream of becoming a pilot. Stehenson is a Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean M. Stephenson poses for a photo in front of his AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) March 17, 2015. Stephenson started out his career as an enlisted band member and then persued his dream of becoming a pilot. Stehenson is a Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

A U.S. Marine F/A-18 Hornet provides close air support March 28 at Pilsung Range in South Korea. U.S. Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, completed a week of fire support coordination training with Republic of Korea Marines, coordinating close air support with both ROK and U.S. aircraft for the training. The training is part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-14.2, a small-unit training exercise, which enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK-U.S. forces. - A U.S. Marine F/A-18 Hornet provides close air support March 28 at Pilsung Range in South Korea. U.S. Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, completed a week of fire support coordination training with Republic of Korea Marines, coordinating close air support with both ROK and U.S. aircraft for the training. The training is part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-14.2, a small-unit training exercise, which enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK-U.S. forces.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Thomas Harding shows a Republic of Korea Marine his M27 infantry automatic rifle during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15 in the vicinity of Pohang, South Korea, March 29, 2015. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in KMEP 15. The overall objective of KMEPs are to enhance amphibious operations between ROK and U.S. forces that contributes to security and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as the entire Asia-Pacific region. The ROK Marines are with 33rd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division, and the U.S. Marines are with Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st MEU. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Thomas Harding shows a Republic of Korea Marine his M27 infantry automatic rifle during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15 in the vicinity of Pohang, South Korea, March 29, 2015. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in KMEP 15. The overall objective of KMEPs are to enhance amphibious operations between ROK and U.S. forces that contributes to security and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as the entire Asia-Pacific region. The ROK Marines are with 33rd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division, and the U.S. Marines are with Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st MEU.

A U.S. Marine fast-ropes out of an MV-22B Osprey during an exercise on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard, at sea, Feb. 18, 2015. Each Marine had a chance to go down the rope multiple times. After fast-roping, the Marines practiced rappelling from the Osprey. The Marines are with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Osprey is from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262. The Marines are currently participating in the MEU’s annually-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. - A U.S. Marine fast-ropes out of an MV-22B Osprey during an exercise on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard, at sea, Feb. 18, 2015. Each Marine had a chance to go down the rope multiple times. After fast-roping, the Marines practiced rappelling from the Osprey. The Marines are with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Osprey is from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262. The Marines are currently participating in the MEU’s annually-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region.