A UH-1Y Huey helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 slowly lowers 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Marines onto the flight line aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Sept. 29. The Ma More
Marines serving with Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, paddle down a river in rubber reconnaissance crafts, also known as Zodiacs, during a reconnaissance patrol here, June 26, 2013. The Zodiac, whic More
A Marine serving with Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, posts security during a night raid for a mission rehearsal exercise here, Aug. 19, 2013. The Marines landed under the cover of darkness as they More
A Marine serving with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and member of the counter-reconnaissance team searches through tall foliage for any signs of Marines operating here, Aug. 14, 2013. The team consists of Marine More
A Marine serving with Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, posts security outside a cleared compound during a mission rehearsal exercise here, Aug. 19, 2013. During the exercise, Marines performed a nig More
A Marine serving with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion responds to simulated small-arms fire during a combat readiness exercise here, Aug. 20, 2013. During the exercise, Marines performed a night raid on a combat t More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force plot coordinate points prior to land navigation training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 22, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious More
An egress instructor inspects a soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, as he practices bracing for impact while conducting Underwater Egress training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendle More
A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducts helocast training with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 23, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphi More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force listen to Marines from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 23, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an a More
U.S. Marines and sailors and Japanese soldiers render salutes during the American and Japanese national anthems at the opening ceremony of Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 23, 2014. I More
U.S. Marines from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force run along the beach during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 24, 2014. Iro More
A U.S. Marine, pre-scout sniper instructor, Division Schools, demonstrates stalking techniques to soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., More
U.S. Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, demonstrate how to execute an amphibious insertion using a combat rubber reconnaissance craft to soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense More
U.S. Marine Lt. Col. William E. Blanchard, commanding officer, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, welcomes soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, C More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Abigail V. Reynolds, right, an interpreter assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, greets a Japanese interpreter with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, at helocast training during Ex More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force make their way to a CH-46E Sea Knight while conducting Helocast training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 27, More
A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force makes final adjustments to a Zodiac boat before departing on a navigation drill during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., J More
Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force prepare their weapons for sniper training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 27, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercise More
U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force hike uphill during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 28, 2014. Iron Fist 2 More
Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fire a High-Explosive Rocket-Assisted Projectile from a M120 120 mm Mortar System during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 28, 2014. More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force carry a combat rubber reconnaissance craft out of the surf during amphibious-insertion training from the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific during Exe More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force performs shooting drills while conducting scout sniper training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 29, 2014. Iron Fist is an am More
Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct land navigation with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 30, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 i More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force carry a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft into the ocean to conduct surf passages as part of reconnaissance training with the Expeditionary Warfare Training Gr More
A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force aims at his target from the 300 yard-line while conducting scout sniper training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 31, 2014. I More
Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force unhitch a 120mm mortar system from a vehicle during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 3, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercis More
U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company eat lunch with soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 3, 2014. Iron Fist 201 More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct surf passages on a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft as part of reconnaissance training with the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific during Ex More
A 120mm mortar system waits to be fired during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and Sailors from the 15t More
U.S. Marine Sgt. David Johnson, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, moves to his next firing position while conducting immediate-action drills with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exer More
Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit set up radios during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4, 2014. Iron Fist 201 More
A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force descends from a 30-foot tower while performing fast-rope insertion training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 5, 2014. Iron Fi More
I Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General, Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, visits soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iro More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fast ropes down a 30-foot tower while conducting fast-rope training with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboa More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducts a radio check with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 5, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is More
A U.S. Marine, pre-scout sniper instructor, Division Schools, explains sniper-shooting techniques to soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif More
Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force point out targets while training with U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 7 More
U.S. Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fast rope from a CH-46E Sea Knight while conducting raid training during Exercise Iron More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force performs a weasel-walk as a stalking technique during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 10, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force clips vegetation to camouflage his ghillie suit while conducting a stalk exercise with 1st Marine Division Schools during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp P More
Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryan Dingess, boatswain's mate, Beach Master Unit 1, guides a Landing Craft Air Cushion onto the beach during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 12, 2014. Iron More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Miguel DelCampo, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, provides security while conducting helicopter assault training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 12, 2014. More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Kale L. Karlen, field artillery cannoneer, Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, adjusts the sights on an M120 120mm Mortar System during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clement More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force look at targets while training with U.S. Marines from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., F More
U.S. Marine Maj. Paul Bartok, middle, Marine liaison to the Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, speaks with officials of the JGSDF during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clemente More
U.S. Marines from Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, load M120 120mm Mortar System during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., Feb. 14, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious ex More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company look at their targets during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., Feb. 14, 20 More
U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, center commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, meets with Lt. Gen. Hirotaka Yamashita, left, vice chief of staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and other officer More
Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force load a combat rubber reconnaissance craft into a CH-46E Sea Knight while conducting helocast training with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, du More
U.S. Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force load a combat rubber reconnaissance craft into a CH46-E Sea Knight while conducting rec More
Officials from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force observe and learn about AAV-7 Assault Amphibious Vehicles during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 16, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibio More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Philip Phetsavanh, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, sits in an MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 while conducting a helo insertion to a nighttime urban terrain r More
An AAV-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle performs an amphibious landing during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 19, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines a More
U.S. Marine Lt. Col. John R. O’Neal, commanding officer, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, addresses a crowd of Marines and sailors and soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at the closing ceremony fo More
Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion conducted breaching training at range 211A aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., September 22, 2014. The goal of the training was to reinforce the recon Mari More
Venessa Hardy and John Romero, referees with the United States Fight League, demonstrate all the rules and moves that acquire points for the Commanding General’s Cup Grappling Tournament on Camp Pendleton, Cali More
U.S. Marines with Air Delivery Platoon, Landing Support Company, 3rd Transportation Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, cut honeycomb cardboard to use for simulated training bund More
Crew members aboard a UH-1Y Huey helicopter from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 look on as Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion hook onto a rope attached to the aircraft at the flight line abo More
Marines serving with Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, beach their rubber reconnaissance crafts, also known as Zodiacs, during a reconnaissance patrol here, June 26, 2013. The Zodiac, which is often More
Marines serving with Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, move under the cover of darkness during a mission rehearsal exercise here, Aug. 19, 2013. The exercise allowed the Marines’ command element to a More
A Marine serving with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and member of the counter-reconnaissance team, hikes through the forest during a mission rehearsal exercise here, Aug. 14, 2013. The team tracked Marines opera More
Marines serving with Alpha Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, identify possible enemy combatant role-players during a mission rehearsal exercise here, Aug. 20, 2013. The Marines landed by helicopter at nigh More
A Marine serving with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion scans a mock combat town for possible enemy combatants during a combat readiness exercise here, Aug. 20, 2013. During the exercise, Marines performed a night r More
A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force prepares to go through a land navigation course during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 22, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercis More
A soldier with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force familiarizes himself with emergency exit handles from an MV-22 Osprey while conducting Underwater Egress training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendle More
U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company listen to the introduction of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 23, 2014. Iron Fist 2 More
A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force takes a breath before being turned upside down in a Shallow Water Egress Trainer while conducting Underwater Egress training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 abo More
U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Carl E. Mundy III, left, deputy commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, addresses U.S. Marines and sailors and Japanese soldiers during the opening ceremony of Exercise Iron Fis More
A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force crawls through a pond in a ghillie suit during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 24, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that b More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force practice rigging rope on a combat rubber reconnaissance craft while conducting Helo Cast training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., More
U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Shawn C. Souders, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, explains the tactical advantages of the AAV-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle to soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during E More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct a final inspection on a Zodiac boat before departing on a navigation drill during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., More
A U.S. Marine with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine division, gives the all clear sign after soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force helocast out of a CH-46E Sea Knight during Exercise Iron Fi More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force takes notes for sniper training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 27, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercise that brin More
Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force prepare High-Explosive Rocket-Assisted Projectiles during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 28, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibiou More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force engage targets in a shooting drill while conducting scout sniper training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 29, 2014. Iron Fist More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force provide security for the landing team during amphibious insertion training from the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Shawn Brakey, fire-support man, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, helps a soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force locate points on his map during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Ca More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force log their shots from the 100 yard-line while conducting scout sniper training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 31, 2014. Iron More
U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Justin Seignemartin, right, Japanese translator, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sits with a soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Penld More
U.S. Navy Capt. Martin L. Pompeo, center, commanding officer, Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific, speaks with officials of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, while visiting a training site during Ex More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force plots grid coordinates for placing a 120mm mortar system during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 3, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amph More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force aims at a target while conducting immediate-action drills with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pe More
A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit set up radios during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4, 2014. Iron Fist 20 More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force identifies targets while conducting call-for-fire exercises with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Ca More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, fast ropes down a 30-foot tower while conducting fast-rope training with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 abo More
A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force listens to Division Schools instructors while conducting an unknown distance drill during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 6, 2014. More
U.S. Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force begin their assault while conducting raid training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboar More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force cleans an 84mm Carl Gustav recoilless rifle while training with U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Cam More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force uses low-crawl as a stalking technique during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 10, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that br More
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force uses vegetation to camouflage his ghillie suit while conducting a stalk exercise with 1st Marine Division Schools during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pe More
A 7-ton Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement gets loaded onto a Landing Craft Air Cushion to be transported to San Clemente Island during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 12, 2014. Iro More
Soldiers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fire a 120mm mortar system during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., Feb. 13, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercise that bring More