U.S. Marine Maj. Paul Bartok, middle, Marine liaison

U.S. Marine Maj. Paul Bartok, middle, Marine liaison to the Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, speaks with officials of the JGSDF during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard San Clemente Island, Calif., Feb. 13, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, other I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers from the JGSDF, to promote military interoperability and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ricardo Hurtado/Released)