A US Marines MV-22 Osprey takes part in the joint military exercise Forest Light 15-1 with the 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the US and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills in a bilateral training environment, according to marines.mil.

Members of the US 9th Marine Regiment discuss tactics during the joint military exercise in Yamato. Forest Light 15-1 consists of a command post exercise and field training events, including functional skills training, mortar training, helicopter-borne skills and combined arms procedures scheduled for December 1 to 12, 2014.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces board a CH-47J Chinook during the joint military exercise Forest Light 15-1 with the US 9th Marine Regiment at the Oyanohara Training Area. Photos: IC