U.S. and Japanese leaders attend a ceremony where the U.S. returned almost 10,000 acres of land held by U.S. forces on Okinawa to Japan. Officials say it will reduce the U.S. footprint on Okinawa by 20 percent.
Marines prepare a 155 mm howitzer during a helicopter support team exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 13, 2016. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony Quintanilla
Toys for Tots was established in 1947 as a way for Marines to give back to their local communities by collecting and distributing Christmas gifts to less fortunate children.
Defense Department employees worldwide have the opportunity to give to their favorite charities until Dec. 31 through the annual Combined Federal Campaign.

More Top News

U.S., Russian Officials Discuss Flight Safety in Syria Story | Special Report

Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, flanked by Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Michael Rhodes, deputy of administration, Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer, arrive for the opening of a Pentagon exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Dec. 20, 2016. DoD photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr
Pentagon’s Newest Exhibit Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Vietnam War Story | Statement | Flickr Album

Operation Inherent Resolve - Targeted Operations Against ISIL Terrorists
Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq Story | Special Report

From left, Lee Johnson, Navy senior language authority and director of the Navy Language, Regional Expertise and Culture Office; Diana Banks, deputy assistant secretary of defense for force education and training and the Defense Department’s senior language authority; Daniel P.C. Feehan, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for readiness; and Michael Nugent, director  of the Defense Language and National Education Office, cut the ribbon to dedicate the foreign area officer heritage wall display at the Pentagon, Dec. 12, 2016. DoD photo
Pentagon Heritage Display Honors Foreign Area Officers Story

An Air Force F-22 Raptor aircraft assigned to Langley Air Force Base transits after refueling during exercise Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 18, 2016. This iteration of Red Flag specifically focused on multi-domain operations in air, space and cyberspace -- one of the future-war challenges areas that spurred the department to launch the recent Operational Challenges Crowdsourcing Initiative. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. David Salanitri
DoD Crowdsourcing Effort Produces Innovative Operational Approaches Story | Special Report

An AH-1W Super Cobra from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit lands aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio in the Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 18, 2016. The 22nd MEU conducted precision airstrikes in support of the Libyan Government of National Accord-aligned forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets in Sirte, Libya, as part of Operation Odyssey Lightning. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ryan Young
Liberation of Libyan City Highlights Latest Counter-ISIL Efforts Story | Transcript | Special Report

Blogs

SITREP: Army Tackles Nationwide Cleanup, Marines Take Leap of Faith & More
Transect lanes were laid out during an investigation of unexploded ordnance in 2003 at Camp Claiborne, La., a World War II training site. The U.S. Forest Service now manages the land, which is to be cleaned up by the Army Corps of Engineers under the Formerly Used Defense Sites program. Photo by Army Corps of Engineers
From the military services and around the DoD, here's your SITREP for Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016.
'New Ship Smell' and Cutting-Edge Tech Aboard the Research Vessel Sally Ride
The research vessel Sally Ride is prepared for a christening ceremony at Dakota Creek Industries, Inc. shipyard in Anacortes, Wash. Sally Ride is the second in the Neil Armstrong-class of research vessels and features a modern suite of oceanographic and acoustic ocean mapping equipment. Navy photo by John F. Williams
The Office of Naval Research gives us a peek inside the Navy's sophisticated new research ship Sally Ride.

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