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III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

III MEF Logo
FORWARD. FAITHFUL. FOCUSED.
Okinawa, Japan

Who we are

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.


 

01

RD 25| Exercise Concludes

U.S. Marines from across the III Marine Expeditionary Force trained alongside Japan Self-Defense Force personnel during exercise Resolute Dragon 25.

02

RD 25| 12th LCT Force on Force

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tyler Pacheco, a rifleman with 12th Littoral Combat Team, maneuvers through wooded terrain during Resolute Dragon 25.

03

Resolute Dragon 25

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger Turner and Lt. Gen. Seiji Toriumi shake hands to commemorate the opening ceremony of Resolute Dragon 25.

04

31st MEU | Loading HIMARS

U.S. Marines with Hotel Battery, 31st MEU, ready an M142 HIMARS during a loading exercise at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Aug 27, 2025.

05

MWSS 174 | Toxic Swell 25

U.S. Marine Corps PFC. Noah Carver with MWSS-174, scans an aircraft for contaminates during exercise Toxic Swell 25.

06

31st MEU | VMFA 242

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, fly over the USS America with 31st MEU.

 

Featured News

Our Capabilities | 3rd Medical Battalion showcase their capabilities during the exercise KAMANDAG 3
3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Oct. 15, 2019 | 2:39
Our Capabilities | 3rd Medical Battalion showcase their capabilities during the exercise KAMANDAG 3
3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Oct. 15, 2019 | 2:39
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Our Capabilities | 3rd Medical Battalion showcase their capabilities during the exercise KAMANDAG 3
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Sailors teach Philippine children preventive health measures during PHIBLEX 2015
 
III Marine Expeditionary Force