U.S. Marines, Japanese Self-Defense Forces Participate in Exercise Iron Fist 2013 on California Base

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Vince Perez, left, and Lance Cpl. Aaron Lende rush toward an obstacle during Exercise Iron Fist 2013 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. During the training exercise, U.S. Marines and Japanese ground self-defense forces work together to improve interoperability, enhance military-to-military relations and develop skills. Perez and Lende are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Morgan
  • Marines shoot shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapons during Exercise Iron Fist 2013 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Morgan
  • Marine Corps Cpl. Tahachee Appodaca, left, orders his Marines to push forward during Exercise Iron Fist 2013 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher O’Quin
  • Marine Corps Pfc. Michael S. Jones provides fire during assault training at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher O’Quin
  • Marine Corps Sgt. Paul J. Sonico launches a M41A1 saber tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided anti-armor missile during a mechanized training assault at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher O’Quin
  • Members of the Japanese ground self-defense forces provide fire as part of movement-to-contact training during Exercise Iron Fist 2013 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lonzo-Grei Thornton
  • Marines provide supportive fire with the AT-4 shoulder-fired rocket launcher as part of movement-to-contact training during Exercise Iron Fist 2013 at aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lonzo-Grei Thornton
  • Marines maneuver through trenches during Exercise Iron Fist 2013 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lonzo-Grei Thornton
  • Marines maintain a low profile while moving to their target during Exercise Iron Fist 2013 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Gonzalez
  • Members of the Japanese ground self-defense forces move toward their objective point as part of movement-to-contact training at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lonzo-Grei Thornton
  • Marine Corps Pfc. Austin B. Jasper-Martinez provides fire during assault training at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher O’Quin
  • Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nathan Hugel, right, finishes clearing concertina wire as Marines push forward during Exercise Iron Fist 2013 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher O’Quin
  • Marines prepare to assault their targets during Exercise Iron Fist 2013 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Gonzalez
  • Marines complete daily training during Exercise Iron Fist 2013 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan.31, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lonzo-Grei Thornton