Marine Corps Air Station Futenma

Marine Corps Air Station Futenma

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Col. Peter Lee poses for a photo with master labor contractors during the 241st Marine Corps Birthday celebration at the mess hall Nov. 9 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The celebration was one of many held on installations across Okinawa to uphold the tradition of celebrating the Marine Corps’ birthday, which dates back to Nov. 10, 1775. The event featured a mouthwatering steak and lobster meal, a uniform pageant by Kubasaki High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and a live performance by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and was open to service members, civilian contractors, master labor contractors, and their families to celebrate together. Lee is the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/Released)

An actor dressed as a clown waits to scare guests of the Okinawa Haunted Labyrinth Oct. 29 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The labyrinth is held annually to bring Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement personnel to enjoy on-base family fun. The labyrinth was designed and hosted by the Okinawa Single Marine Program and is the largest SMP event held on Okinawa. During the event, creeped their way through the twisting maze and enjoyed food, candy and pumpkin-painting.

A volunteer haunts a graveyard scene in the Okinawa Haunted Labyrinth Oct. 29 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The open-gate event welcomes Okinawa residents to join Status of Forces Agreement members for a Halloween haunted house experience, food and festivities. The labyrinth was built, designed and hosted by members of the Okinawa Single Marine Program from units across the southern military installations on Okinawa. Guests of the event decorated pumpkins, posed for photos with actors in costumes and creeped through the sharply twisting hallways of the maze.

A United States Military Working Dog Services Award rests on retired military working dog, Patti’s neck after her award ceremony Oct. 24 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The U.S. War Dogs Association promotes the recognition and honor of military working dogs nationwide and presents awards to handlers and dogs who have remained committed to excellence in their work over the years. Patti received the award for her actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Patti served as a combat tracking dog, and though injured in the line of duty, returned to recertification several months of rehabilitation later. Today, she lives happily with her former handler and current owner, James Altman, the installation chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense protection agent on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, who hails from Sebring, Florida.

Patrick Adams congratulates retired military working dog, Patti after her award ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 24, 2016. Patti received an award for bravely serving as a combat tracking dog during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa Pon)

James Altman delivers a speech about the unbreakable bond between dogs and their handlers following an award ceremony for Patti, a retired military working dog, Oct. 24 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Patti and Altman served together during Operation Iraqi Freedom while Altman served as military working dog handler. Patti was injured in the line of duty while serving as a combat tracking dog. “The bond between a handler and his military working dog is indescribable,” said Altman. “When she was injured, she suffered spinal embolism which paralyzed her completely. I fed her, I chewed her food and passed water to her … they said she should have died, but she didn’t. She wanted to stay with me. It took about six months of rehabilitation, but we worked together so she could walk again and when she was recertified as a tracking dog, I put in her retirement papers and here she is today.” Altman is the installation chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense officer on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, and is a Sebring, Florida, native.

Patti sports a medal presented during an award ceremony in her honor Oct. 24 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The ceremony was held on behalf of U.S. War Dogs Association to honor her service in 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During her deployment, Patti served as a combat tracking dog, and suffered grave injuries in the line of duty. Patti’s handler, James Altman, stayed by her side through more than six months of rehabilitation before retiring her and adopting her into his own home. Officers and other Marine officials attended the ceremony to honor Patti and Altman’s accomplishments during their time in service. Today, Patti lives happily with Altman, a Sebring, Florida, native, who serves as the installation chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense protection officer on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

Lt. Col. Robert T. Sweginnis reads a citation honoring retired military working dog, Patti during an award ceremony Oct. 24 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The award ceremony honored Patti, who served as a combat tracking dog during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007. Patti served alongside her handler, James Altman, who was a staff sergeant at the time, and was injured in the line of duty. Her injuries left her paralyzed and the two worked together through her six-month rehabilitation period and have been inseparable ever since. Altman permanently adopted Patti in 2008, continuing their partnership even after the mission was complete. Patti received a medal and a citation from the U.S. War Dogs Association, stating, “The United States War Dogs Association presents this award to military canines who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America with honor, courage and loyalty in time of conflict, so that we may live in freedom.”

Retired military working dog Patti poses for a photo before her award ceremony Oct. 24 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Patti received an award from the U.S. War Dogs Association for her service in 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During her time overseas, Patti served as a combat tracking dog, and while bravely serving alongside the deployed troops, suffered injuries in the line of duty. Patti’s handler, James Altman, who was at the time, a Marine staff sergeant, stayed by Patti’s side through more than six months of rehabilitation before retiring her and adopting her into his own home. Today, Patti still resides with Altman, a Sebring, Florida, native, who serves as the installation chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense officer on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

U.S. Marine Corps military working dog, Patti is presented a U.S. Military Working Dog Services Award during an award ceremony in her honor on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 24, 2016. During her deployment, Patti served as a combat tracking dog, and suffered grave injuries in the line of duty. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa Pon)

U.S. Marines mount Japan Ground Self-Defense Force tactical vehicles before executing the patrolling portion of the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event, Oct. 6 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The exchange provided U.S. and JGSDF service members with the opportunity to observe each other’s operation procedures in order to sharpen their defense skill sets and strengthen their bilateral relationship. During the patrolling portion of the exchange, service members formed integrated teams and practiced hand and arm signals and proper methods of patrolling areas with varying terrain features.

Patrick Adams, left, discusses the training scheduled to take place during the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Tomofusa Hanada Oct. 7 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The three-day exchange allowed U.S. and JGSDF service members to sharpen their defense skill sets and strengthen their bilateral relationship by allowing them to observe and exchange each other’s tactical procedures. The event covered methods of troop movement, rules of engagement, and vehicle search and seizure. Hanada is the commanding general of the JGSDF 15th Brigade. Adams is the installation protection director of MCAS Futenma.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force officials greet JGSDF Maj. Gen. Tomofusa Hanada as he arrives at a site during the annual Guard and Protect, observe and exchange event Oct. 7 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The three-day exchange allowed U.S. and JGSDF service members to sharpen their defense skill sets and strengthen their bilateral relationship by allowing them to observe and exchange each other’s tactical procedures. During the event, participating service members discussed and practiced troop movement, rules of engagement, and vehicle search and seizure. Hanada is the commanding general of the JGSDF 15th Brigade.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Imato translates instructions prior to a patrolling exercise during the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event, Oct. 7 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The three-day event sharpened U.S. and JGSDF service members’ abilities to defend installations through the observation and exchange of tactical procedures and operational concepts. The training included patrolling, rules of engagement and vehicle search and seizure procedures.

U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members mount Japanese tactical vehicles in preparation for the patrolling portion of the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event, Oct. 6 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The three-day exchange allowed U.S. service members and JGSDF service members to sharpen their tactical skills through observation of each other’s operational procedures. The event covered troop movement, communication, and vehicle search and seizure skills.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force tactical vehicles stand staged during the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event, Oct. 6 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The event was a three-day training evolution that allowed U.S. service members and JGSDF service members to observe each other’s tactical procedures and operations. The training covered troop movement, communications, and vehicle search and seizure.

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force set up tents during the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event, Oct. 6 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The event allowed U.S. and JGSDF service members to observe each other’s operation procedures in order to sharpen their defense skill sets and strengthen their bilateral relationship. The observation and exchange included troop movement, escalation of force, and vehicle search and seizure.

U.S. Marines mount Japan Ground Self-Defense Force tactical vehicles before executing the patrolling portion of the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event, Oct. 6 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The exchange provided U.S. and JGSDF service members with the opportunity to observe each other’s operation procedures in order to sharpen their defense skill sets and strengthen their bilateral relationship. During the patrolling portion of the exchange, service members formed integrated teams and practiced hand and arm signals and proper methods of patrolling areas with varying terrain features.

– Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members and U.S. Marines introduce themselves during the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event Oct. 7 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The event was a three-day training evolution that allowed U.S. service members and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members to observe each other’s tactical procedures and operations while building the bilateral relationship between U.S. service members and its host nation. The exchange included reinforcing troop movement, vehicle inspections, and the escalation of force.

Kimberly Perry, the lead vocalist of The Band Perry, sings onstage Sept. 24 during the Flight Line Fair at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. MCAS Futenma opened its flight line to Status of Forces Agreement Personnel and Okinawa residents as they enjoyed local vendors, games and a performance by The Band Perry. The Band Perry is an American country group featuring siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry. Perry thanked the audience for their sacrifices overseas and said she felt honored to be able to perform for them.