U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker expresses his appreciation after receiving the Honorary Marine title at the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters, July 22. Crocker received the Honorary Marine title in recognition of his service with and alongside Marines throughout his 41-year career as a U.S. foreign service officer. ISAF and United States Forces – Afghanistan Commander Gen. John R. Allen presided over the ceremony where members of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul Marine Security Detachment, who nominated the outgoing ambassador for the title, presented his Honorary Marine certificate and pinned him with an Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Approved only by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the honor recognizes individuals in the civilian community who have made extraordinary contributions to the Corps. Crocker is the 75th person to receive the title. - U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker expresses his appreciation after receiving the Honorary Marine title at the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters, July 22. Crocker received the Honorary Marine title in recognition of his service with and alongside Marines throughout his 41-year career as a U.S. foreign service officer. ISAF and United States Forces – Afghanistan Commander Gen. John R. Allen presided over the ceremony where members of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul Marine Security Detachment, who nominated the outgoing ambassador for the title, presented his Honorary Marine certificate and pinned him with an Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Approved only by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the honor recognizes individuals in the civilian community who have made extraordinary contributions to the Corps. Crocker is the 75th person to receive the title.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft sit on the flight line after being moved to a from the cargo ship Green Ridge, July 23, 2012. This marks the first MV-22 Osprey aircraft deployment to Japan and a milestone in the Marine Corps' process of replacing CH-46E helicopters with the MV-22 Osprey, a highly-capable, tilt-rotor aircraft which combines the vertical capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. - Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft sit on the flight line after being moved to a from the cargo ship Green Ridge, July 23, 2012. This marks the first MV-22 Osprey aircraft deployment to Japan and a milestone in the Marine Corps' process of replacing CH-46E helicopters with the MV-22 Osprey, a highly-capable, tilt-rotor aircraft which combines the vertical capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft.

Staff Sgt. Paul Worley, infantry platoon sergeant with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, wears his Silver Star Medal just after it was pinned on him during his award ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 17. Worley received the medal for actions while 1st squad leader Combined Anti-Armor Team 1, Weapons Company 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat team 7, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, on 12 July 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. - Staff Sgt. Paul Worley, infantry platoon sergeant with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, wears his Silver Star Medal just after it was pinned on him during his award ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 17. Worley received the medal for actions while 1st squad leader Combined Anti-Armor Team 1, Weapons Company 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat team 7, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, on 12 July 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Marine test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk begins his last scheduled F-35 test flight June 26 in BF-4 at Patuxent River, Md. Schenk concluded his tour as government flight test director June 29 and was the first pilot to land the short takeoff and vertical landing version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter on USS Wasp (LHD 1) in October 2011. The F-35B for the U.S. Marine Corps and international partners is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet. - Marine test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk begins his last scheduled F-35 test flight June 26 in BF-4 at Patuxent River, Md. Schenk concluded his tour as government flight test director June 29 and was the first pilot to land the short takeoff and vertical landing version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter on USS Wasp (LHD 1) in October 2011. The F-35B for the U.S. Marine Corps and international partners is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.