Explore Photos

Lance Cpl. Christian J. Hernandez (left) and Lance Cpl. Giovonni Mejia fire the M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Jan. 31 to support units engaged in the mechanized assault course at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. “Fighting with combined arms is on of the most important parts of the (Marine Air-Ground Task Force),” said Lt. Col. Neil J. Owens. Giovonni, a Dallas, Texas native and Hernandez, a Buford, Georgia, native are both cannoneers with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for ITX 2-15, as part of the ground combat element for SPMAGTF-4. Owens, a Medford, Massechusetts, native, is the commanding officer for 3rd Bn., 12th Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William Hester/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. William Hester

Cpl. Armontey D. Parks carries charges for the M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Jan. 31 at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms during Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Different charges are used to adjust the distance the round will travel. Parks, a Saginaw, Michigan, native, is a cannoneer with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force as part of the ground combal element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 4 for ITX 2-15. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William Hester/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. William Hester

Lance Cpl. Jacob T. Madar prepares to insert a powder casing into the breach of an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Nov. 7 at the during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that strengthens combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces, and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Madar is from Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, and is a field artillery cannoneer with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based out of Twentynine Palms, California, and is currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Martinez

Marines fire an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Nov. 7 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that increases and maintains combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The Marines are with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based out of Twentynine Palms, California, and is currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Martinez

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division fire M240B medium machine guns, Nov. 3, at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that increases and maintains combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The Marines are with various units assigned to 3rd Bn. 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the Unit Deployment Program.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Martinez

Sgt. Johnathan F. Alcantar, left, Lance Cpl. Axel R. Lozano, right, and Staff Sgt. Rodney P. Agustin determine the GPS location of an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer during an exercise for Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3 Oct. 30 at Camp Fuji. ARTP was established to provide artillery units the opportunity to train with live ammunition and sustain combat readiness. The Marines are with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based out of Twentynine Palms, California, and currently assigned to 3rd Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Martinez

Marines unload a 7-ton truck Oct. 30 during a command post exercise for Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3 at Camp Fuji. The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 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.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Martinez

Lance Cpl. Johnathan Dowden, from Wichita Falls, cleans a spindle from an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer during a command post exercise Oct. 30 for Artillery Training Relocation Program 14-3 at Camp Fuji. The exercise focused on communications between the fire direction center and teams manning the howitzers. ARTP prepared artillery batteries for a smooth execution of training in the North Fuji Maneuver Area by affording teams a chance to troubleshoot any problems with their weapons before moving to the live-fire training. Dowden is an artilleryman with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, based out of Twentynine Palms, Calif., and is currently assigned to 3rd Bn., 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Martinez

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.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Martinez

Marines load an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Nov. 4 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that strengthens combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces, and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and are currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the Unit Deployment Program.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Martinez

Cpl. Thomas G. Martinez prepares a howitzer range card before artillery fire commences Nov. 4 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that increases combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces, and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Martinez is from Los Angeles, California, and is a field artillery cannoneer with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, currently assigned to 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the Unit Deployment Program.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Martinez

Marines fire an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Nov. 4 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that increases and maintains combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The Marines are with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and are currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the Unit Deployment Program.

Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Martinez

Lance Cpl. Dylan Johnson, a cannon crewman with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, preps a 120 mm high explosive round prior to it being fired from a M327 Expeditionary Fire Support System Oct. 7 during a training and readiness evaluation. The artillerymen from 1st Bn., 12th Marines, spent two days out on the range for their final evaluation prior to leaving to Okinawa.

Photo by Cpl. Erik Estrada

Marines with Battery O, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, simulate firing an M240G medium machine gun during a demonstration for local government officials at East Fuji Maneuver Area on mainland Japan Sept. 14. Battery O is currently deployed to Okinawa, Japan as a part of the Unit Deployment Program, a program designed to increase the training level and unit continuity of Marine Corps units stationed in the continental United States. Units with Marine Forces Reserve have honed their skills in the UDP since 2003, and continue to do so, as two squadrons from the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing are set to mobilize for their UDP deployment in 2013.

Photo by Pfc. Terence G. Brady