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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

COMMSTRAT FTX | 12K HIKE

A U.S. Marine with 3rd Marine Division conducts a hike during the COMMSTRAT Field Training Exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 8, 2026.

02

KMEP 26.1 | Platoon Attacks

Republic of Korea Marine Corps tanks fire after rehearsing squad attacks during the Korean Marine Exchange Program 26.1

03

VMFA-242 | Flight Operations

U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, performs a pre-flight inspection on an F-35B at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Japan

04

U.S. Marines & JGSDF Landing

U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members conduct a beach landing during exercise Iron Fist 26 in Tanegashima, Japan, March 2, 2026.

05

Marines, Rangers & Berets

U.S. Marines, Rangers, and Berets deploy from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft during a simulated raid on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 19, 2026.

06

Opportunity in the Indo-Pacific

U.S. Marines with III MEF share their perspectives on the professional, personal, and family benefits of serving in the Indo-Pacific.

 

Featured News

Drone Competition Reel
3d Marine Division
Dec. 18, 2025 | 0:34
Drone Competition Reel
3d Marine Division
Dec. 18, 2025 | 0:34
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Drone Competition Reel
Expeditionary Operations Training Group | Combat Medic Course
III Marine Expeditionary Force Chaplain Services
III Marine Expeditionary Force: Forward, Faithful, Focused
31 Seconds with 31st MEU | VMFA-242 82nd Birthday
Martial Arts Instructor Course 64-25
3rd MLG Conducts Joint, Combined Instream Offload during Freedom Banner 25
3d MLR | Pohakuloa Training Exercise
MWHS-1 CO and SgtMaj. address Marines
MWHS-1 CO and SgtMaj. address Marines
Stand-In Force Exercise 24
SIFEX 24
Always Beside You
Cobra Gold 23: MWSS-171 Completes Cobra Gold 2023(Package/Pkg)
VMFA-312 in Cope North 23!
 
III Marine Expeditionary Force