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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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A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, departs the...
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ethan Cox, right, a UH-1Y Venom crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter 169, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Air...
UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, fly off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 19, 2025.
3d Reconnaissance Battalion Marines dive during a search and recovery drill on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, July 15, 2025.
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.
On Aug. 8, 2025, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), supported an operational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission utilizing the MV-22B Osprey teamed with two Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters to distribute sonobuoys. This iteration of anti-submarine operations represents the first time a forward-deployed MV-22B assigned to the 31st MEU has operated in an ASW role within the Indo-Pacific theater, significantly enhancing the 31st MEU’s capabilities and contributing to regional maritime security.
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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.