Photo Of U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Adrian Zavala, a command and control picture client (C2PC) operator with the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and a native of California, gets pinned to the rank of corporal by those who positively impacted him during his promotion and reenlistment ceremony at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, August 19, 2024. The ceremony marked Cpl. Zavala’s entrance into the noncommissioned officer (NCO) ranks while also ensuring, through reenlistment, his commitment to the Marine Corps. With this promotion comes greater responsibilities and expectations as NCOs serve as the backbone of the Marine Corps and as a vital link between officers and enlisted Marines.

3d MEB Corporal Zavala promotion and reenlistment ceremony at Camp Courtney

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Adrian Zavala gets pinned to the rank of corporal by those who positively impacted him during his promotion and reenlistment ceremony at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, August 19, 2024.

Photo Of U.S. Marine Corps Darwin Gutierrezmarte, a logistics specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, directs fuel into the motor of a light weight purification system during a combat support service area exercise, at Kin Blue Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 10, 2024. The CSSA exercise utilized CLB-31 to create fresh water, maintain radio communications, and provide food, fuel, and fire support to sustain Battalion Landing Team 1/4 as the 31st MEU’s ground combat element. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. Gutierrezmarte is a native of New York.

CLB-31 sets up combat support service area at Kin Blue Training Area, Okinawa

USMC Darwin Gutierrezmarte, a logistics specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 31 directs fuel into the motor of a light weight purification system during a combat support service area exercise, at Kin Blue Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 10, 2024.

Photo Of U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Adam Chalkley, right, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rd MLG), Cpl. Ashton Wilson, middle, a metalworker with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd MLG, and Sgt. Maj. Dennis Turner, left, the sergeant major of 3rd MLG, pose for a photo on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, August 2, 2024. Wilson was recognized as the non-commissioned officer of the quarter for performing above and beyond the expectations set by his unit. Wilson is a native of Virginia.

Brigadier General Chalkley congratulates the NCO of the Quarter on Camp Kinser

Cpl. Ashton Wilson was recognized as the non-commissioned officer of the quarter for performing above and beyond the expectations set by his unit. Wilson is a native of Virginia.

Photo Of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Emanuel Hudson, the sergeant major of 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, gives a speech during an appointment ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 25, 2024.

5th ANGLICO: Sergeant Major Appointment Ceremony at Camp Hansen

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Emanuel Hudson, the sergeant major of 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, gives a speech during an appointment ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 25, 2024.

Photo Of U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ty Tipton, a fixed wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, looks at the camera before directing an F-35B Lightning II aircraft as it returns to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, July 26, 2024.

Cloudy with a Chance of Lightning: VMFA-242 returns to Kadena

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ty Tipton, a fixed wing aircraft mechanic with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, looks at the camera before directing an F-35B Lightning II aircraft as it returns to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, July 26, 2024.

Photo Of U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, 18th Wing commander, gives remarks during the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 26, 2024.

Kadena hosts SNCO Induction Ceremony

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, 18th Wing commander, gives remarks during the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 26, 2024.

Photo Of Michael H. Oliwek

USO Okinawa Staff Spotlight - Meet Michael!

Michael, “Mike,” is the Center Operations Coordinator at USO Futenma and enjoys the exciting and fast paced tempo working at USO Futenma provides

Photo Of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Timothy Weiss, a musician with III Marine Expeditionary Force Band performs during the US-Japan Joint Concert at the Naha Cultural Arts Theater NAHArt, Naha, Okinawa, Japan, July 27, 2024. The joint concert celebrated the long-enduring friendship and spirit of camaraderie between the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and Southwestern Air Defense Force Band.

III MEF, JASDF perform joint concert in Naha, Okinawa

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Timothy Weiss, a musician with III Marine Expeditionary Force Band performs during the US-Japan Joint Concert at the Naha Cultural Arts Theater NAHArt, Naha, Okinawa, Japan, July 27, 2024.

Photo Of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Angel Caldero, a fire support Marine with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, posts security during Certification Exercise 24.3 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 17, 2024.

5th ANGLICO CERTEX 24.3 Patrols at Camp Hansen

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Angel Caldero, a fire support Marine with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, posts security during Certification Exercise 24.3 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 17, 2024.

Photo Of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cody Usher, 33rd Rescue Squadron special missions aviator, takes a break after performing preflight inspections on an HH-60W Jolly Green II at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 17, 2024.

Kadena AB: Range day for the 33rd RQS

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cody Usher, 33rd Rescue Squadron special missions aviator, takes a break after performing preflight inspections on an HH-60W Jolly Green II at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 17, 2024.