Sergeant Levi J. Slife, a joint terminal air controller, gives a class on reads a map in preparation of calling close-air support at Afghanistan 2010. The JTAC is the chief designator of artillery or close-air support ordinance and has the final say with the pilot or gunner before they commit to the attack. Slife is with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Bn., 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Littleton, Colorado.(Courtesy photo provided by Sgt. Levi J. Slife during his second tour in Afghanistan) - Sergeant Levi J. Slife, a joint terminal air controller, gives a class on reads a map in preparation of calling close-air support at Afghanistan 2010. The JTAC is the chief designator of artillery or close-air support ordinance and has the final say with the pilot or gunner before they commit to the attack. Slife is with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Bn., 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Littleton, Colorado.(Courtesy photo provided by Sgt. Levi J. Slife during his second tour in Afghanistan)

Sapporo Okadama Airport, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan – A posted sign helps spectators understand the capabilities of the MV-22 Osprey in front of a static display during the Sapporo Air Show at Sapporo Okadama Airport, July 20. More than 50,000 spectators viewed U.S. and Japan military and commercial aircraft that were either on static display or showcased flying over the airport. “It is a great opportunity, not only for the United States military, but also for the Japan military to showcase their aircraft. We want to show the Japanese public what we do and why our alliance is so important,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew W. O’Donnell Jr., the deputy commander of United States Forces, Japan. This is the first time the Osprey has flown to Sapporo. The pilots and crew of the Osprey are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Photo by Cpl. Henry Antenor) - Sapporo Okadama Airport, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan – A posted sign helps spectators understand the capabilities of the MV-22 Osprey in front of a static display during the Sapporo Air Show at Sapporo Okadama Airport, July 20. More than 50,000 spectators viewed U.S. and Japan military and commercial aircraft that were either on static display or showcased flying over the airport. “It is a great opportunity, not only for the United States military, but also for the Japan military to showcase their aircraft. We want to show the Japanese public what we do and why our alliance is so important,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew W. O’Donnell Jr., the deputy commander of United States Forces, Japan. This is the first time the Osprey has flown to Sapporo. The pilots and crew of the Osprey are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Photo by Cpl. Henry Antenor)

Marines fast-rope from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter July 18 at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during a Marine Expeditionary Unit exercise. The training scenario called for the 31st MEU’s Battalion Landing Team to insert via aircraft into a landing zone near a simulated hostile village to seize and capture high-value individuals. The Marines are with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU. The aircraft is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, which is part of the MEU’s air combat element. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released) - Marines fast-rope from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter July 18 at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during a Marine Expeditionary Unit exercise. The training scenario called for the 31st MEU’s Battalion Landing Team to insert via aircraft into a landing zone near a simulated hostile village to seize and capture high-value individuals. The Marines are with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU. The aircraft is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, which is part of the MEU’s air combat element. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released)