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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. 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.
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.
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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