Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cody Braunscheidel, an aviation logistics information management systems specialist assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, explains multiplication to students at MacFarlane Primary School in Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 1, 2016. Marines are invited to mentor and teach students every iteration of Southern Frontier, a three week unit level training conducted by U.S. Marines at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal. The primary school’s student population is 92 percent indigenous and is very transient. Classes are designed to provide students structure and a consolidated education in literacy, numeracy, respect and behavior management. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cody Braunscheidel, an aviation logistics information management systems specialist assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, explains multiplication to students at MacFarlane Primary School in Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 1, 2016. Marines are invited to mentor and teach students every iteration of Southern Frontier, a three week unit level training conducted by U.S. Marines at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal. The primary school’s student population is 92 percent indigenous and is very transient. Classes are designed to provide students structure and a consolidated education in literacy, numeracy, respect and behavior management. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

A crowd gathers to walk through a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 Open Day at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, Aug. 13, 2016. For over 70 years, VMGR-152, also known as the “Sumos,” has successfully carried out support missions by providing aerial refueling and assault support during expeditionary, joint and combined operations like Exercise Pitch Black 2016. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - A crowd gathers to walk through a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 Open Day at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, Aug. 13, 2016. For over 70 years, VMGR-152, also known as the “Sumos,” has successfully carried out support missions by providing aerial refueling and assault support during expeditionary, joint and combined operations like Exercise Pitch Black 2016. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 performs a vertical landing while using the lights on the mobile Expeditionary Hover Position Indicator to adjust its position at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 9, 2016. VMA-542 is home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the unit deployment program. The Harrier pilots used the mobile EHPI in coordination with Aircraft Recovery assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron to recertify on boat-deck landings to prepare for other future operations in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin) - A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 performs a vertical landing while using the lights on the mobile Expeditionary Hover Position Indicator to adjust its position at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 9, 2016. VMA-542 is home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the unit deployment program. The Harrier pilots used the mobile EHPI in coordination with Aircraft Recovery assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron to recertify on boat-deck landings to prepare for other future operations in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donato Maffin)

An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 moves in to catch the basket during an aerial refueling mission with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia during Exercise Pitch Black 2016, Aug. 9, 2016. VMGR-152 provides aerial refueling and assault support during expeditionary and joint or combined operations like Pitch Black. This exercise is a biennial, three week, multinational, large-force training exercise hosted by RAAF Tindal. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 moves in to catch the basket during an aerial refueling mission with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia during Exercise Pitch Black 2016, Aug. 9, 2016. VMGR-152 provides aerial refueling and assault support during expeditionary and joint or combined operations like Pitch Black. This exercise is a biennial, three week, multinational, large-force training exercise hosted by RAAF Tindal. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Alexander Goodno, Marine exchange pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force No. 75 Squadron, taxis to the runway in an F/A-18 Hornet during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 5, 2016. Goodno has been stationed with No. 75 Squadron for two and a half years with the Marine Corps Foreign Personnel Exchange Program. This program enhances worldwide security cooperation by continuing long-term presence and association among military counterparts. During Pitch Black, Goodno serves as a liaison officer to the participating U.S. units, explaining foreign jargon and procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Alexander Goodno, Marine exchange pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force No. 75 Squadron, taxis to the runway in an F/A-18 Hornet during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 5, 2016. Goodno has been stationed with No. 75 Squadron for two and a half years with the Marine Corps Foreign Personnel Exchange Program. This program enhances worldwide security cooperation by continuing long-term presence and association among military counterparts. During Pitch Black, Goodno serves as a liaison officer to the participating U.S. units, explaining foreign jargon and procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

F/A-18C Hornets with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA)122, conduct air operations during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 ata Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 25, 2016. Pitch Black 16 is a biennial, three week, multinational, large-force training exercise hosted by RAAF Tindal. The allied nation squadrons will execute day and night flights from Tindal to Darwin, while performing large force offensive counter-air and offensive air support operations throughout the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo) - F/A-18C Hornets with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA)122, conduct air operations during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 ata Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 25, 2016. Pitch Black 16 is a biennial, three week, multinational, large-force training exercise hosted by RAAF Tindal. The allied nation squadrons will execute day and night flights from Tindal to Darwin, while performing large force offensive counter-air and offensive air support operations throughout the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo)

Cpl. Javon Franklin, an aviation ordnance technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, assists in loading high explosive ordnance on an F/A-18C Hornet during exercise Southern Frontier at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 28, 2016. Southern Frontier is three weeks of unit level training helping the squadron gain experience and qualifications in low altitude, air-ground, high explosive ordnance delivery at the unit level. VMFA-122 is home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and are currently assigned to MAG-12 at MCAS Iwakuni under the Unit Deployment Program. Australia is the last stop on the squadron’s deployment before heading back home. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - Cpl. Javon Franklin, an aviation ordnance technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, assists in loading high explosive ordnance on an F/A-18C Hornet during exercise Southern Frontier at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 28, 2016. Southern Frontier is three weeks of unit level training helping the squadron gain experience and qualifications in low altitude, air-ground, high explosive ordnance delivery at the unit level. VMFA-122 is home based out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina and are currently assigned to MAG-12 at MCAS Iwakuni under the Unit Deployment Program. Australia is the last stop on the squadron’s deployment before heading back home. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, forward deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, taxis into an ordnance loading area after landing at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 21, 2016. VMFA-122 traveled to RAAF Base Tindal for the first time to participate in Pitch Black 2016 and unit level training known as Southern Frontier. Pitch Black affords Marines with VMFA-122 the opportunity to integrate and increase interoperability with regional joint and coalition partners, while developing operational concepts for conducting sustained combat operations. Southern Frontier will help the squadron gain experience and qualifications in low altitude, air-ground, high explosive ordnance delivery at the unit level. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg) - An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, forward deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, taxis into an ordnance loading area after landing at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 21, 2016. VMFA-122 traveled to RAAF Base Tindal for the first time to participate in Pitch Black 2016 and unit level training known as Southern Frontier. Pitch Black affords Marines with VMFA-122 the opportunity to integrate and increase interoperability with regional joint and coalition partners, while developing operational concepts for conducting sustained combat operations. Southern Frontier will help the squadron gain experience and qualifications in low altitude, air-ground, high explosive ordnance delivery at the unit level. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force aviation officer cadets from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Ozuki Aviation Training Squadron observe an F/A-18C static display during a Japanese Officer Exchange Program tour at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 17, 2016. Hosted by Marine Aircraft Group 12, the exchange program aims to better the understanding and working relationships between U.S. and Japanese pilots. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released) - Japan Air Self-Defense Force aviation officer cadets from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Ozuki Aviation Training Squadron observe an F/A-18C static display during a Japanese Officer Exchange Program tour at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 17, 2016. Hosted by Marine Aircraft Group 12, the exchange program aims to better the understanding and working relationships between U.S. and Japanese pilots. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)