Pacific Unity 12-6 Builds Philippine Partnership by Building a School

ANGELES CITY, Philippines - The driver pulls down a small side street busy with activity and I realize my finger is already set on the shutter release button of my camera. I am unsure of what I am about to see, but ready to capture whatever is in store.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, Iwakuni (Sept. 27, 2012) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs guests and Japanese officials tour the MV-22B Osprey aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to learn about the safety and capabilities of the aircraft. The aircraft is part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265. VMM-265 aircraft are based at, and will operate out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Basing the Osprey in Okinawa will significantly strengthen the United States' ability to provide for the defense of Japan, perform humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations and fulfill other Alliance roles. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Charles E. McKelvey)

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 24, 2012) - The bow of the forward deployed Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) plows through a wave while underway in rough seas. Cowpens is part of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan and is currently conducting a routine Western Pacific patrol. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Paul Kelly)

ANGELES CITY, Philippines (Sept. 26, 2012) - Staff Sgt. Derek York, 647th CES water and fuels systems maintenance craftsman and a plumber for Pacific Unity 12-6 gets a high five from one of the students of Cacatud Elementary School in Malabacat. The more than 400 students who attend the school now have renovated classrooms and a new schoolhouse as a result of Airmen from the U.S. Air Force, Philippine Air Force and local contractors who spent the past month working in support of Pacific Unity 12-6. Pacific Unity is a bilateral Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) conducted in the Asia-Pacific region in collaboration with host nation civil authorities and military personnel under the direction and coordination of 13th Air Force, Joint-Based Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 27, 2012) - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Carlaldrin Milana clears the launching area as an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Tophatters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 prepares to launch off the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is returning to the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility four months ahead of schedule in order to maintain combatant commander requirements and Navy assets in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Kenneth Abbate)

SAIPAN (Sept. 24, 2012) - Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Aaron Bonds, assigned to the Warlords of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51, dances with students of the Mount Carmel School during a community service project. The forward deployed Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens is part of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan and is currently conducting a routine Western Pacific patrol. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Paul Kelly)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 26, 2012) - A CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter assigned to the 'Purple Foxes' of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 364 (Reinforced) approaches amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47). Rushmore is a part of the Peleliu Amphibious Group currently underway for a Western Pacific deployment with amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20). (U.S Navy Photo by MC3 Shawnte Bryan)

NAHA MILITARY PORT, Japan (Sept. 23, 2012) - A Marine drives a humvee aboard the integrated tug and barge vessel Thunder/Lightning. Marines with various III Marine Expeditionary Force units worked with contractors from Okinawa Marine Services and Foss International to load equipment for the upcoming bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise 2013 in the Republic of the Philippines. (Photo b6y Lance Cpl. Matthew Manning)