AFN Pacific Update

Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 executed a spider forward arming and refueling point mission in Okinawa, Japan, October 28, 2015. The FARP mission facilitates small aircraft to operate longer, resupply in a shorter time frame and provide close air support more frequently. The event was part of Blue Chromite 2016. Because Blue Chromite is an amphibious training exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force's training resources in Okinawa, participating units maintain a forward-deployed posture while eliminating travel costs. VMM-262 is with Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. HMLA-269 is with MAG 36 under the Unit Deployment Program.

MV-22 Osprey piolts with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Air Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, obtain

carrier qualification in conjunction with Blue Chromite 2016, a large-scale amphibious exercise in Okinawa, Japan. Units participating in Blue Chromite benefit from naval training resources in the area while maintaining a forward-deployed posture. Also available in high definition.

Marines embarked on the USS Germantown October 27, 2015, at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines and the Navy worked together on the Germantown to conduct carrier qualifications with an MV-22B Osprey and an amphibious assault with amphibious assault vehicles. Blue Chromite is an amphibious training exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. Participating units maintain a forward-deployed posture while eliminating travel costs.

A five-bay, two-story, medium girder bridge sits completely built after a day of hard work from the Marines of 9th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, during Blue Chromite 16 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 30, 2015. According to Cpl. Cole G. White, the 9th ESB bridge master, this bridge will be the first five-bay bridge to ever be lifted on Okinawa, and the second in Marine Corps history. Blue Chromite is a large-scale amphibious exercise that draws primarily from III Marine Expeditionary Force’s training resources on Okinawa. The location of the training allows participating units to maintain a forward-deployed posture and eliminates the cost of traveling to train.

Using the MV-22 Osprey, infantry Marines rapidly inserted into the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 31, 2015, in a massive, regimental air assault during Blue Chromite 2016, which builds cohesion among elements of the Marines Air Ground Task Force. Blue Chromite is a large-scale, cost-effective on-island exercise led by 4th Marine regiment. The Marines, from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Regiment, are currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Cpl. Andrew Tech, Pfc. Jorge A. Rosales/Released)

U.S. and Okinawan children face off on the basketball court and then integrate as mixed teams during a youth basketball tournament on Camp Schwab, Jan. 16, 2016. The even fosters the importance of teamwork with different nationalities and cultures through sportsmanship and friendly competition.

U.S., ROK and Royal Thai Navy Underwater Construction Teams conduct pier inspections on the Thung Prong Pier on the Thung Prong Bay, Sattahip Naval Base, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 14, 2018. Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 is an annual exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Thailand held from Feb. 13-23 with seven full participating nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erickson B. Magno)

U.S., Royal Thai, Malasyian and Japanese Armed Forces conduct a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation and Rescue of Japnese Nationals Overseas Exercise as a part of Cobra Gold 18 at the Utapao International Airport in Rayong, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 17, 2018. Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 is an annual exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Thailand held from Feb. 13-23 with seven full participating nations. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erickson B. Magno)

Sailors assigned to Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2, partner with Republic of Korea Navy and Royal Thai Navy UCT for Exercise Cobra Gold in Sattahip, Thailand Feb. 12-23, 2018. This 37th iteration of Cobra Gold is the first multilateral UCT exercise between U.S., RTN, and Republic of Korea UCT, and is an important element of the United States and participating nations seeking to maintain readiness, develop capabilities, and enhance security and stability. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alfred A. Coffield)

The United States Forces Korea command team went on American Forces Network radio to discuss the COVID-19 virus.