Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Lt. Col. Peter L. McArdle, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 commanding officer, records his 237th birthday message for family members of the "Fighting Bengals" in Beaufort, S.C. The Bengals are currently taking part in a Unit Deployment Program, which will require the squadron to spend six months in Iwakuni, Japan, and participate in various exercises in Guam and Thailand. - Lt. Col. Peter L. McArdle, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 commanding officer, records his 237th birthday message for family members of the "Fighting Bengals" in Beaufort, S.C. The Bengals are currently taking part in a Unit Deployment Program, which will require the squadron to spend six months in Iwakuni, Japan, and participate in various exercises in Guam and Thailand.

An inverted place setting along with a barracks cover, noncommissioned officer's sword and gloves rest upon the fallen comrades table at the IronWorks Gym here Nov. 8,2012. During Marine Corps ceremonies it is a tradition to set an empty place for fallen Marines in recognition of their ultimate sacrifice. - An inverted place setting along with a barracks cover, noncommissioned officer's sword and gloves rest upon the fallen comrades table at the IronWorks Gym here Nov. 8,2012. During Marine Corps ceremonies it is a tradition to set an empty place for fallen Marines in recognition of their ultimate sacrifice.

A Japanese man dressed in ceremonial attire performs for a crowd during the Kintai Art Festival near the Kintai Bridge Nov. 3, 2012. When the dance finished, the same location was later used to display a congratulatory monument to the completion of the Iwakuni Kintai-kyo Airport. - A Japanese man dressed in ceremonial attire performs for a crowd during the Kintai Art Festival near the Kintai Bridge Nov. 3, 2012. When the dance finished, the same location was later used to display a congratulatory monument to the completion of the Iwakuni Kintai-kyo Airport.

(Left to right) Lance Cpl. Gustavo Moreno, Marine Aircraft Group 12 aviation operations specialist, Sgt. Ryan Harris, MAG-12 intelligence specialist and Sgt. Cristhian Santana, MAG-12 administration specialist, set up concertina wire around the perimeter of an expeditionary command operations center aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Oct. 17, 2012. The COC was built to ensure the Marines could deploy a system in an efficient and timely manner. - (Left to right) Lance Cpl. Gustavo Moreno, Marine Aircraft Group 12 aviation operations specialist, Sgt. Ryan Harris, MAG-12 intelligence specialist and Sgt. Cristhian Santana, MAG-12 administration specialist, set up concertina wire around the perimeter of an expeditionary command operations center aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Oct. 17, 2012. The COC was built to ensure the Marines could deploy a system in an efficient and timely manner.

Cpl. Holly Andrews, Corporals Course class leader, maintains bearing while practicing sword manual on the parade deck across from Building One here Oct. 9, 2012. Marines are taught a variety of things throughout the course such as the importance of public speaking and how to lead physical training. - Cpl. Holly Andrews, Corporals Course class leader, maintains bearing while practicing sword manual on the parade deck across from Building One here Oct. 9, 2012. Marines are taught a variety of things throughout the course such as the importance of public speaking and how to lead physical training.