Sgt. Joseph T. Mahoney disassembles an M240B medium

Sgt. Joseph T. Mahoney disassembles an M240B medium machine gun at Misawa Air Base, Japan, August 13, 2017, during exercise Northern Viper 2017. This exercise tests the interoperability and bilateral capability of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marine Corps forces to work together and provides the opportunity to conduct realistic training in an unfamiliar environment. Exercises such as NV17 promote the U.S.-Japan alliance and partnership, demonstrating the alliance’s capabilities in supporting regional security and the defense of Japan. Mahoney, a Hingham, Massachusetts native, is an airframe mechanic with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, currently forward deployed under the Unit Deployment Program with MAG-36, 1st MAW, based on Okinawa, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez)