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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.
U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 navigate into a wedge formation during a small boat raid as part of MEU Exercise on Dec. 3, 2025.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Louis Demps, relays orders while executing platoon attack drills at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii.
A U.S. Marine maneuvers through a muddy creak during Operation Odyssey Stormbreaker III at Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan.
U.S. Marines with the 31st MEU conduct live-fire training at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Sept. 26-Oct. 15, 2025.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dario Astuhuaman fires an M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle during a live fire range at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan.
U.S. Marines from across the III Marine Expeditionary Force trained alongside Japan Self-Defense Force personnel during exercise Resolute Dragon 25.
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii – U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Daniel J. Pacheco, a CH-53 Super Stallion pilot and the air officer with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal after helping save a fellow Marine's life following a motorcycle crash on the Pali Highway, Oahu, Hawaii, on Oct. 26, 2025.
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CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan – Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, completed a weeklong field communications exercise at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, strengthening their ability to install, operate and maintain tactical networks in austere terrain while sharpening basic infantry tactics and skills.
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan — U.S. Marines with Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force integrated advanced drone technology into III MEF operations Nov. 6 at Camp Hansen, marking a significant step forward in unmanned systems employment in the Indo-Pacific region.