Cpl. Joseph Howell, a tactical switching operator with Combat Logistics Regiment 4, 4th Marine Logistics Group, kneels down and takes account of his surroundings on a patrol during the Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 22, 2015. Howell was part of the acting guard force during the exercise with I MEF. The exercise enabled Marines to improve interoperability between the active and Reserve component, while preparing them with a realistic training environment at the force level. - Cpl. Joseph Howell, a tactical switching operator with Combat Logistics Regiment 4, 4th Marine Logistics Group, kneels down and takes account of his surroundings on a patrol during the Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 22, 2015. Howell was part of the acting guard force during the exercise with I MEF. The exercise enabled Marines to improve interoperability between the active and Reserve component, while preparing them with a realistic training environment at the force level.

Marines check the GPS coordinates of their M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzers Oct. 30 during a command post exercise for Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. “Camp Fuji provides that cold weather training environment that artillery units need to be familiar with,” said Sgt. Maj. Marvin M. Magcale, the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. “The Marines and sailors in this battalion will be better prepared to accomplish the mission involving cold weather. Austere conditions obviously affect not only the Marines and sailors, but their equipment as well.” The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and are currently assigned to 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. - Marines check the GPS coordinates of their M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzers Oct. 30 during a command post exercise for Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. “Camp Fuji provides that cold weather training environment that artillery units need to be familiar with,” said Sgt. Maj. Marvin M. Magcale, the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. “The Marines and sailors in this battalion will be better prepared to accomplish the mission involving cold weather. Austere conditions obviously affect not only the Marines and sailors, but their equipment as well.” The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and are currently assigned to 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program.