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III MEF is the nucleus of a joint and coalition Stand-In Force within the First Island Chain. In competition, III MEF assures and expands access for the joint force across the Indo-Pacific. In crisis, it provides in-place response forces to secure allies and partners while deterring adversary aggression. In conflict, III MEF fights from advanced naval bases as part of a naval expeditionary force and enables Joint Force objectives in the Indo-Pacific.
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U.S. Marines with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load simulated casualties onto a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to...
Marines Corps MV-22B Ospreys descend to land during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America, in the Coral Sea, June 26, 2025.
U.S. Marine Corps UH-Y1 Venom helicopter assigned to VMM 265, prepares to take off during flight operations aboard USS San Diego, June 6, 2025.
A U.S. Navy Sailor aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America guides a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B lightning II in the Philippine Sea, May 31, 2025.
U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment load the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System into a KC-130J Super Hercules May 25, 2025.
Marine with MASS-2 changes an M240B machine gun barrel in the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, May 13, 2025.
COMBINED ARMS TRAINING CENTER, CAMP FUJI, Japan – U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division conducted High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) dry-fire training at Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) Camp Fuji from June 11-13, 2025. This training represents a significant enhancement of Camp Fuji’s capability to support long-range fires and reflects our commitment to maintaining readiness and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific alongside our Japanese partners.
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii - On 18 June 2025, 3d Radio Battalion bid fair winds and following seas to Lieutenant Colonel Gary A. Keefer, and welcomed Lieutenant Colonel Sean F. X. Barrett to the family. Lieutenant Colonel Keefer was the Battalion Commander of 3d Radio Battalion for three years and will be retiring after 23 years of faithful service. Lieutenant Colonel Barrett is assuming command of 3d Radio Battalion after serving consecutive assignments at I Marine Expeditionary Force G-2.
OKINAWA, Japan- U.S. Space Force Maj. Ben Pearce and Capt. Hannah Garcia-Park, both with Mission Delta-11 (Space Ranges, Aggressors, Tactics and Exercises), conducted tactical level space operations for the first time in history June 9, 2025, at III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), Okinawa, Japan. The Guardians injected critical tactical subject matter expertise directly supporting III MEF's mission, while also delivering realistic and challenging space aggressor training enhancing the lethality and combat power of the entire joint force.
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii – Gunnery Sergeant Ryan M. Schwartz, company gunnery sergeant of Communications company, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, was awarded the United States Marine Corps Sergeant Harry D. Myers Award for his significant contribution to the combat readiness of 3d MLR.
BATANES ISLANDS, Philippines – Strategically positioned on an island in the Luzon Strait, U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, established a Fires Expeditionary Advanced Base (EAB) with the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and conducted simulated maritime interdiction as a part of Exercise KAMANDAG 9, June 1, 2025. The event was tied to a larger Maritime Key Terrain Security Operation (MKTSO), during which U.S. Marines with 3d LCT and Philippine Marines with Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 rehearsed securing and defending key maritime terrain in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.