United States Marine Corps Sgt. Mason Wilhelmy, scout

United States Marine Corps Sgt. Mason Wilhelmy, scout sniper instructor, 1st Marine Division Schools, assists a soldier of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army Infantry Regiment’s Scout Sniper program with proper pistol grip during an abbreviated scout sniper course, instructed by Marine Corps scout sniper instructors, during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 1. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral amphibious training exercise designed to improve the Marine Corps and JGSDF’s ability to plan, communicate and conduct combined amphibious operations. Operating in small teams, scout snipers can be used to conduct reconnaissance and eliminate targets prior to an amphibious assault. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)