An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Marines

III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
III MEF Logo
FORWARD. FAITHFUL. FOCUSED.

Mission

III MEF provides the United States with a forward-deployed force in readiness in the Pacific Theater, as a globally responsive, expeditionary, and fully scalable Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), capable of generating, deploying, and employing forces for crisis response, forward presence, major combat operations, and campaigns.

 

  • Death From Below | Thailand's Fight Against Landmines

    U.S. Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians with 3rd EOD Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, teach students with the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) an EOD level 3 course at Ta Mor Roi training area in Surin Province, Thailand, June 21, 2023. Royal Thai and U.S. Armed Forces train TMAC students in EOD level 3 to advance TMAC’s mission of becoming landmine free. This partnership is aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Mine Action Program, which assists partnered nations affected by landmines, explosive remnants of war and the hazardous effects of unexploded ordnance. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Moises Rodriguez)

    MORE
  • Helicopter rope suspension techniques teach Marines proper knots, rappelling techniques and build confidence for maneuvering from air to ground. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews)

    HMLA-169 | SPIE Rigging, Fast Rope, and Rappel Training

    U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force rappel from a UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 during special patrol insertion and extraction training at Landing Zone Starling, Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 21, 2023. Helicopter rope suspension techniques teach Marines proper knots, rappelling techniques and build confidence for maneuvering from air to ground. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews)

    MORE

  • VMU-3 Milestone Video

    The U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A MUX/MALE is unveiled during a ceremony for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, on Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Aug. 2, 2023. The MQ-9A is a remotely piloted aircraft capable of supporting a wide range of operations such as coastal and border surveillance, weapons tracking, embargo enforcement, humanitarian and disaster assistance, peacekeeping, and counter-narcotic operations. VMU-3 can support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force by providing multi-surveillance and reconnaissance, data gateway and relay capabilities, and enabling or conducting the detection and cross cueing of targets and facilitating their engagement during expeditionary, joint and combined operations. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo)

    MORE
  • The purpose of this training is to sharpen the LCT’s weapons handling skills and increase their readiness for future exercises and operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eric Huynh)

    230822-M-VW647-1339

    U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, conduct a Multi-Purpose Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapons Systems range at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, August 21, 2023. The purpose of this training is to sharpen the LCT’s weapons handling skills and increase their readiness for future exercises and operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eric Huynh)

    MORE
  • MASA is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination focused on aviation-related capabilities. During MASA 23, Filipino and U.S. Marines conduct different training evolutions, including live-fire, air assaults, and subject matter expert exchanges across aviation, ground, and logistics capabilities. Perez is a Los Angeles native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sean A. Potter)

    3rd Marine Aircraft Wing supports MASA 23

    U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Emilio Perez, an CH-53E flight line mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, waits as the CH-53E Super Stallions prepare to take off from Antonio Bautista Air Base in support of Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 23 events in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, July 12, 2023. MASA is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination focused on aviation-related capabilities. During MASA 23, Filipino and U.S. Marines conduct different training evolutions, including live-fire, air assaults, and subject matter expert exchanges across aviation, ground, and logistics capabilities. Perez is a Los Angeles native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sean A. Potter)

    MORE
  • The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elijah Murphy)

    Airfield Assault Exercise

    U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/1, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct fire and maneuver drills during an airfield assault exercise at the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area, Australia, July 6, 2023. BLT 2/1 was tasked with capturing an airfield in support of the Air Combat Element’s forward arming and refueling point. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elijah Murphy)

    MORE
  • U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly in formation during a trans-Pacific flight en route to Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 23, at sea, July 8, 2023. MASA is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination focused on aviation-related capabilities.

    MASA 23: Hornets Across the Pacific

    U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly in formation during a trans-Pacific flight en route to Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 23, at sea, July 8, 2023. MASA is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination focused on aviation-related capabilities.

    MORE

  • Jungle Crab 22

    U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordnance technicians with 3rd EOD Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, operate and survive in a jungle environment during Jungle Crab 22 at Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, June 30, 2022. During Jungle Crab 22 EOD Marines prepared to support Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations by practicing survival methods in areas where logistical support may not be available. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Force’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Moises Rodriguez)

    MORE

  • 3d Reconnaissance Parachute Operations

    U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion execute Military Free Fall and Low-Level Static Line parachute operations over Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, May 16-18, 2023. The training sustains operational readiness while ensuring Marines are prepared to rapidly insert into austere environments through multiple methods. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Israel Sheber)

    MORE
  • U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Bierman, center right, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, shakes hands with Lt. Gen. Yamane Toshikazu, center, commanding general of Western Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

    III MEF welcomes JGSDF Western Army Commanding General

    U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Bierman, center right, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, shakes hands with Lt. Gen. Yamane Toshikazu, center, commanding general of Western Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, during a III MEF facilities tour on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, May 17, 2023. During the inaugural tour, Toshikazu spoke to key III MEF leadership and discussed topics pertaining to strengthening the partnership between III MEF and JGSDF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Megan Roses)

    MORE

  • Korea Flying Training 2023

    U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, VMFA-115, U.S. Air Force 8th Fighter Wing, USAF 25th Fighter Squadron, and various Republic of Korea Air Force units participate in Fiscal Year 2023 Korea Flying Training at Gwanju Air Base, ROK, April 27, 2023. KFT 23 is a combined training event focused on tactical execution of combat missions to maintain military readiness and is part of the ROK-U.S. alliance’s routine, annual training program. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Ryan Ulibarri)

    MORE

 

III MEF Press Release

 

III MEF Unit News