We are in Japan in this Photo Of The Day. Above you see a U.S. Marine Corps scout sniper, from the Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as he fires an M40 A6 sniper system during a bilateral sniper live-fire exercise with soldiers from 1st Regimental Landing Team, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is the land-based component of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), which is responsible for the defense of Japan. The JGSDF was established in 1954, following the end of World War II and the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan.

Below: U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Logan Roos, an infantry Marine, from Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, demonstrates how to clear an M110 semi-automatic sniper system.

Soldiers with the 1st Regimental Landing Team, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, calibrate the sights on their rifles  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Vincent Pham)

Below: Sketching the terrain and targets for a bilateral live-fire exercise.

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Vincent Pham)

This all happened during Iron Fist 23 at Hijudai, Japan, Feb. 21, 2023. The bilateral live-fire exercise was conducted to establish an understanding of allied weapon systems during Iron Fist 23. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the JGSDF, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Images and captions: U.S. Marine Corps, Cpl. Vincent Pham, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.