131204-N-VN372-006 OKINAWA, Japan – (Dec. 4, 2013) Engineering Aide 1st Class Willie Blanding assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 chats with Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa Capt. Michael Michel during a cultural exchange at the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force base. The 3rd annual event allowed Seabees to join Navy personnel from Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa and the JMSDF herald in the Holiday Season. NMCB 3 is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy, providing details deployed to Okinawa, Atsugi and Yokosuka, Japan; Chinhae, Republic of Korea; China Lake and San Clemente Island, Calif; Timor-Leste, Tonga, Cambodia and the Republic of the Philippines each capable of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chris Fahey/RELEASED).