Lt. Gen. Lewis Craparotta, commanding general 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, takes charge of the formation during an awards ceremony, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 15, 2016. Col. Anthony Henderson received More
Lt. Col. Louis Simon, executive officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, acts as the commander of troops during the 13th MEU change of command ceremony Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 16, 2016. The chang More
Col. Anthony Henderson, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, passes the unit colors to Col. Chandler Nelms, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 16, 2016. The change of command ceremony formall More
U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers stand side-by-side in their respective color guards during the opening ceremony commemorating the beginning of Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Co More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. William Rivera, an Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) crewman with Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, helps Japan Ground-Self Defense Force soldiers with an More
U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Mark Skaggs, center, a corpsman with Marine Aircraft Group 39 Headquarters, helps Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldier, 2nd Lt. Yuichi Umeda, left, and Sgt. First Class More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, draw ammunition prior to a live fire training event as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Cal More
Japanese Ground Self Defense Force soldier, 1st Lt. Masayuki Narazaki, a platoon commander with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, speaks to troops before fire and maneuver drills during of Exercise Iron Fist More
U.S. Marine Corps Assault Amphibious Vehicles, manned by Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers land on Red Beach Training Area, during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers conduct Military Operations in Urban Terrain training during Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 26, 2017. MOUT drills allow the Ja More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. William Slade, sergeant major of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Sgt. Maj. Brian Priester, stand in front of Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th MEU, for the More
U.S. Marines with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct a sustainment hike, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 21, 2017. The purpose of the hike was to build camaraderie with the Marine More
Col. Anthony Henderson, commanding officer 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives the Legion of Merit award on Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 15, 2016. Col. Henderson is receiving the award for his exceptio More
U.S. Marines with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit give honors to the commanding general, Lt. Gen. Lewis Craparotta, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, during the 13th MEU change of command ceremony on Camp Pend More
U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Louis Simon, executive officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, acts as the commander of troops during the opening ceremony of Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp P More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. William Rivera, an Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) crewman with Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, rides alongside Japan Ground-Self Defense Force soldier More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Kaya Winchester, center, translates for Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldier, 1st Lt. Naoki Matsuda, left, to U.S. Navy Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Radiah Brooks, right, the medical chief More
A Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier with the Western Army Infantry Regiment loads ammunition into a magazine prior to a live fire training event as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Ca More
Japanese Ground Self Defense Force soldier 1st Lt. Masayuki Narazaki, a platoon commander with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, fires a Howa Type 89 Assault Rifle during fire and maneuver drills during Exerc More
U.S. Marine Corps Assault Amphibious Vehicles, manned by Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers come ashore on Red Beach Training Area, during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, More
A U.S. Marine with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, fires blanks from his M4 Carbine Rifle while acting as an opposing force to the Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers during Military Operations in Urba More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. William Slade, sergeant major of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts the passing of the sword with Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th MEU, during a relief a More
U.S. Marines with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit stop and perform a gear check during a sustainment hike, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 21, 2017. The purpose of the hike was to buil More
A U.S. Marine with the 1st Marine Division Band, performs during the opening ceremony of Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 6, 2017. Iron Fist is an annual, bilat More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Michael Windes, an Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) maintenance chief with Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, goes through an at halt check with Japan Ground-Sel More
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, transport a simulated casualty to a MV-22 Osprey during a cherry picker training event as part of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Mar More
Japan Ground SelfDefense Force soldiers with the Western Army Infantry Regiment load ammunition into magazines prior to a live fire training event as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp P More
Japanese Ground Self Defense Force soldiers with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, wait for further orders during fire and maneuver drills during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendlet More
A Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier dismounts an Assault Amphibious Vehicle, after issuing orders to a fellow soldier, during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. More
A Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier peaks out of a building during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 26, 2 More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Brian Priester, newly appointed sergeant major of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts the receiving of the sword with Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th MEU More
U.S. Marine Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, right, and Sgt. Maj. Brian Priester, sergeant major of the 13th MEU, center, lead their Marines and Sailors in a sustai More
Col. Anthony Henderson, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, relinquishes command to Col. Chandler Nelms, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 16, 2016. The change of command ceremony formally More
U.S. Marines and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers salute both nations’ anthems during the opening ceremony of Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 6, 201 More
U.S. Marine Pfc. Keith Miller, an Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) crewman with Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, goes through an at halt check with a Japan Ground-Self Defense More
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers Sgt. First Class Hiroshi Kozono, front, and 2nd Lt. Yuichi Umeda, back, with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, transport a simulated casualty into a MV-22 Osprey durin More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers with the Western Army Infantry Regiment conduct a squad movement during a live fire training event as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleto More
Japanese Ground Self Defense Force soldiers with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, run toward an objective during fire and maneuver drills as part of Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pen More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers bound after exiting an Assault Amphibious Vehicle, during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 25, 2017. Marines and JGSDF sold More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers conduct Military Operations in Urban Terrain training while U.S. Marines acted as an opposing force as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendlet More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. William Slade stands in front of the formation awaiting the receiving of an award, during a relief and appointment ceremony at the Del Mar parade deck aboard Marine Corps Base Camp P More
Lt. Gen. Lewis Craparotta, commanding general, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, gives his remarks during the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit change of command ceremony, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 16, 2016. More
U.S. Marine Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, addresses U.S. Marines and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers during the opening ceremony of Iron Fist 2017, a More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Sheffield, an Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) mechanic with Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, goes through an at halt check with a Japan Ground More
A Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier with the Western Army Infantry Regiment fires his Howa Type 89 Assault Rifle during a live fire training event as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base More
Japanese Ground Self Defense Force soldier Sgt. 1st Class Hiroaki Nishioka with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, fires a Howa Type 89 Assault Rifle during fire and maneuver drills during Exercise Iron Fist 2 More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers establish security after exiting an Assault Amphibian Vehicle, during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 25, 2017. Marines an More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers aim their Howa Type 89 Assault Rifle during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. William Slade receives the Legion of Merit award, during a relief and appointment ceremony at the Del Mar parade deck aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 10, 2017. More
U.S. Marine Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to his Marines and Sailors after a sustainment hike, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 21, More
Col. Anthony Henderson, former commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, gives his remarks during the 13th MEU change of command ceremony, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 16, 2016. The change o More
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, and Japan Ground-Self Defense Force soldiers prepare for movement during an Assault Amphibious Vehicle land driving training More
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, sit inside of a MV-22 Osprey during a cherry picker training event as part of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers with the Western Army Infantry Regiment fire their Howa Type 89 Assault Rifle during a live fire training event as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base More
Japanese Ground Self Defense Force soldier 1st Lt. Masayuki Narazaki, a platoon commander with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, yells orders to his troops during fire and maneuver drills as a part of Exercis More
A Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier gives orders to bound after exiting an Assault Amphibious Vehicle, during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 25, 2017. Marin More
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, gives his remarks during a relief and appointment ceremony at the Del Mar parade deck aboard Marine Corps Base Ca More
Col. Chandler Nelms, the new commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, gives his remarks during the 13th MEU change of command ceremony, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 16, 2016. The change of More
Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Ryuji Toyota, commanding officer of the Western Army Infantry Regiment, addresses U.S. Marines and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers during the opening ceremony More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Michael Windes, an Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) maintenance chief with Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, shows Japan Ground-Self Defense Force soldiers some More
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers Sgt. First Class Takashi Nakashima, front, and Sgt. Takahiki Iino, back, with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, transport a simulated casualty from a MV-22 Osprey to a More
U.S. Marine Pfc. Omar Salgado, a rifleman with 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, begins bounding during a live fire training event as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pe More
Japanese Ground Self Defense Force soldiers with the Western Army Infantry Regiment, fire Howa Type 89 Assault Rifles at various targets during fire and maneuver drills as part of Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboar More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers set security after an amphibious landing, during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 25, 2017. Marines and JGSDF soldiers cond More
A Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier scans the area in Military Operations in Urban Terrain training as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 26, 2017. MOUT is More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Brian Priester, sergeant major of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, gives his remarks during a relief and appointment ceremony at the Del Mar parade deck aboard Marine Corps Base C More
Col. Chandler Nelms, the new commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, gives his first command during the change of command ceremony, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 16, 2016. The change of com More
U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers stand side-by-side in their respective formations during the opening ceremony commemorating the beginning of Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corp More
U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Support Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, and Japan Ground-Self Defense Force soldiers drive through difficult terrain during an Assault Amphibious Vehicle land drivin More
U.S. Navy corpsman identify the injuries of simulated casualties inside of a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) during a cherry picker training event as part of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps B More
U.S. Marine Pfc. Erik Brigham, a rifleman with 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, bounds during a live fire training event as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, More
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher Thibault, a platoon sergeant with Company "C", 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, gives a safety brief to his Marines prior to fire and maneuver drills during Exercise Iron F More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force Maj. Gen. Shigeo Kaida, deputy chief of operations with the Western Army 1st Infantry Regiment, gives his remarks about Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleto More
A Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldier sights into a Howa Type 89 Assault Rifle during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, C More
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. William Slade gives his remarks during a relief and appointment ceremony at the Del Mar parade deck aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 10, 2017. The ceremony was More
Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Ryuji Toyota, commanding officer of the Western Army Infantry Regiment, left, and U.S. Marine Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Uni More
U.S. Marines Lance Cpl. Tyler Degraw, left, and Pfc. Erik Brigham, right, riflemen with 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, conduct an ammunition, casualties, and equipment report during a live fir More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Samuel Koontz, a fire team leader in Company "C", 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, patrols through the woods during fire and maneuver drills as a part of Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboar More
U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. David Coffman, deputy commanding general for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, gives his remarks about Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 25, 2017. More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers run to the next building during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 26, 2 More
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Song Hwang, chaplain for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, left, speaks with a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldier and a U.S. Marine linguist following the opening ceremony for Exer More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Matthew Wagner, a squad leader with 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, gives an after action report during a live fire training event as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Samuel Koontz, a fire team leader in Company "C", 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, tracks his team's movement during fire and maneuver drills as part of Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force Maj. Gen. Shigeo Kaida, deputy chief of operations for the Western Army Infantry Regiment, left, and U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. David Coffman, deputy commanding general for the 1st Ma More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers tend to a simulated casualty during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training as apart of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 2 More
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Song Hwang, chaplain for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, left, shakes hands with a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force soldier following the opening ceremony for Exercise Iron Fist 2017, More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Tyler Degraw, a fire team leader with 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, lays in the prone position while aiming his M4 Carbine Rifle down range during a live fire training More
U.S. Marine Pfc. Bryan Vazquez, a rifleman in Company "C", 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, yells while bounding during fire and maneuver drills as a part of Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base More
Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers carry a simulated casualty to safety during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training as a part of Exercise Iron Fist, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif More