Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Cpl. Eduardo Bahena, a semitrailer refueler operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, retracts a hose after refueling an HH-60 Pave Hawk during the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 20, 2014, on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program’s goals are to increase the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improve its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhance joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focuses on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and MWSS-171. - Cpl. Eduardo Bahena, a semitrailer refueler operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, retracts a hose after refueling an HH-60 Pave Hawk during the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 20, 2014, on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program’s goals are to increase the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improve its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhance joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focuses on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and MWSS-171.

Gunnery Sgt. Osvaldo Rincon, powerline division chief with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, guides an F-18/A Hornet aboard Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to participate in the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 9, 2014, to increase the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improve its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhance joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focuses on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting units include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. - Gunnery Sgt. Osvaldo Rincon, powerline division chief with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, guides an F-18/A Hornet aboard Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to participate in the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 9, 2014, to increase the combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improve its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhance joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focuses on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting units include, but are not limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.

A heavy equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 utilizes an All-Terrain Crane to lift a Humvee on to the deck of a barge at the harbor aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 16, 2014. In preparation for Exercise Forager Fury III, Marines with MWSS-171 loaded nearly 300 pieces of heavy equipment slated to be used for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat flight training, as well as combat support training. - A heavy equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 utilizes an All-Terrain Crane to lift a Humvee on to the deck of a barge at the harbor aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 16, 2014. In preparation for Exercise Forager Fury III, Marines with MWSS-171 loaded nearly 300 pieces of heavy equipment slated to be used for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat flight training, as well as combat support training.

From left to right, Lance Cpl. Jorge Meza, Lance Cpl. Shaqueal Coote, and Pfc. Kervens Beauplan recite the Oath of Allegiance aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 17, 2014. Before the oath, the Marines were interviewed about U. S. history by Walter Haith, the field office director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Attaché, Republic of Korea and Japan. - From left to right, Lance Cpl. Jorge Meza, Lance Cpl. Shaqueal Coote, and Pfc. Kervens Beauplan recite the Oath of Allegiance aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, July 17, 2014. Before the oath, the Marines were interviewed about U. S. history by Walter Haith, the field office director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Attaché, Republic of Korea and Japan.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Dakotah Williams, a religious program specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, grinds down a door for a recreational center in the Beswick Community in the Northern Territory of Australia, June 21, 2014. Marines and sailors volunteered their time to assist in the building of the recreational center and help clean a local primary school. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Dakotah Williams, a religious program specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, grinds down a door for a recreational center in the Beswick Community in the Northern Territory of Australia, June 21, 2014. Marines and sailors volunteered their time to assist in the building of the recreational center and help clean a local primary school.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Damien Farinha, left, a hospital corpsman with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, performs the counter to a bear hug during an integrated Marine Corps Martial Arts Program course as part Exercise Southern Frontier 2014 aboard Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, June 18. Farinha is one of approximately 40 service members taking part in the course during SF14. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Damien Farinha, left, a hospital corpsman with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, performs the counter to a bear hug during an integrated Marine Corps Martial Arts Program course as part Exercise Southern Frontier 2014 aboard Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, June 18. Farinha is one of approximately 40 service members taking part in the course during SF14.

A Sikorsky S-76 search-and-rescue helicopter lowers medical personnel during a SAR training exercise onto Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, during Exercise Southern Frontier 2014, June 11. Southern Frontier is an annual bilateral training exercise between the RAAF and the United States Marine Corps with a primary focus on offensive air support and enhancing military interoperability. - A Sikorsky S-76 search-and-rescue helicopter lowers medical personnel during a SAR training exercise onto Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, during Exercise Southern Frontier 2014, June 11. Southern Frontier is an annual bilateral training exercise between the RAAF and the United States Marine Corps with a primary focus on offensive air support and enhancing military interoperability.

Lt. Col. Howard Eyth, right, passes the Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 colors to Lt. Col. James Whiteker during a change-of-command ceremony, June 9, 2014, at Hangar 6030 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The passing of colors signifies the passing of command from one commanding officer to another. - Lt. Col. Howard Eyth, right, passes the Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 colors to Lt. Col. James Whiteker during a change-of-command ceremony, June 9, 2014, at Hangar 6030 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. The passing of colors signifies the passing of command from one commanding officer to another.

Lt Col. Shawn Basco, commanding officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, left, shakes hands with wing commander Mark Larter, the senior Australian defense officer for Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, June 6, 2014, upon arrival aboard base. Marine with VMFA(AW)-242 arrived in Australia as part of Exercise Southern Frontier 14, an annual bilateral training exercise between the RAAF and the United States Marine Corps with a primary focus on offensive air support. - Lt Col. Shawn Basco, commanding officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, left, shakes hands with wing commander Mark Larter, the senior Australian defense officer for Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, June 6, 2014, upon arrival aboard base. Marine with VMFA(AW)-242 arrived in Australia as part of Exercise Southern Frontier 14, an annual bilateral training exercise between the RAAF and the United States Marine Corps with a primary focus on offensive air support.

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 take a moment to catch their breath and hydrate after reaching the halfway point of their six-mile conditioning hike aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 16, 2014. The hike purpose is to build camaraderie and unit cohesion, as well as establish a combat mindset in the Marines. - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 take a moment to catch their breath and hydrate after reaching the halfway point of their six-mile conditioning hike aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 16, 2014. The hike purpose is to build camaraderie and unit cohesion, as well as establish a combat mindset in the Marines.