Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Christopher Melling, the pilot training officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., enters and F/A-18C Hornet while wearing Joint Protective Aircrew Ensemble (JPACE) and Respirator equipment at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 29, 2017. VMFA-251 has intensified training on familiarizing aircrew members with the JPACE, a pilot’s Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense equipment, while still maintaining focus on the squadron’s mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abrego)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 completed the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 25 2014, when their F/A-18 Hornets flew out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program increased combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improved its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhanced joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focused on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets included, but weren’t limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. - Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 completed the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 25 2014, when their F/A-18 Hornets flew out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program increased combat readiness of Marine Aircraft Group 12, improved its operating skills as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhanced joint and combined integration with the U.S. Air Force and ROK Marine Corps. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that focused on the integration of aviation and ground assets within the construct of a traditional Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. Supporting assets included, but weren’t limited to, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 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. - 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.

Lance Cpl. Bobby Tyler, a plane captain with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, signals to an F/A-18 Hornet during the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 13, 2014, on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that will focus 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. - Lance Cpl. Bobby Tyler, a plane captain with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, signals to an F/A-18 Hornet during the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-13, Oct. 13, 2014, on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. KMEP 14-13 is a multinational exercise that will focus 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.