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The 3rd MEB established a new headquarters company to enhance their lethality by centralizing command and synchronizing readiness efforts across warfighting functions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Cledera) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Codi Mullen, center right, company commander of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, dismisses the formation during an activation ceremony for 3rd MEB at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 13, 2026.

McCullar was selected for a lateral move from master sergeant to first sergeant under the new E-8 transfer pilot initiative. McCullar will take over as the senior enlisted advisor for Communications Company, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jeremiah Barksdale) - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Christopher McCullar poses for a photo during his redesignation ceremony on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 9, 2026.

Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Evelyn Doherty) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Adams, far left, the sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force, stands while Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, left, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Seiji Toriumi, the commanding general of Western Army, speak about the capabilities of the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System at a press conference during Resolute Dragon 25 at JGSDF Camp Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 17, 2025.

During a two-week period, the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team trained and certified 3rd Marine Division Marines as attack drone operators, attack drone instructor, and payload specialist instructors, increasing the Division’s lethality and capacity of trained and certified attack drone operators and instructors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre) - U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force prepare to receive a drone during the Marine Corps Attack Drone Competition on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 9, 2025.

Maj. Daniel J. Pacheco, an assistant air officer with 3d MLR, was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal after helping save a fellow Marine's life following a motorcycle crash on the Pali highway. Reynolds is a native of Pennsylvania and Pacheco is a native of California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Iyer Ramakrishna) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt Maj. Donald Reynolds, right, sergeant major, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, reads a promotion warrant during an award ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Nov. 26, 2025.

The exercise enhanced Marines’ ability to install, operate, and maintain tactical communications architecture while strengthening leadership, teamwork, and expeditionary readiness in support of III MEF operations across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Meshaq Hylton) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon Aguilar, a native of California and a satellite communications operator maintainer with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, crosses a rope line on an obstacle course during Operation Odyssey Stormbreaker III at Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 4, 2025.

The course instructed Marines on analyzing system capabilities and designing drone configurations for various operational scenarios. The UAS are designed for both remote piloting and autonomous flight, enhancing the Marines' ability to adapt to evolving battlefield requirements. Samarin is a native of California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Cledera) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Greg Samarin, a radio operator with Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, flies a drone equipped with an M67 training grenade during an Unmanned Aircraft Systems course demonstration at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 6, 2025.

The joint training demonstrated 3rd LCT's ability to conduct equipment recovery operations utilizing the capabilities of the U.S. Army's MSV(L) in a littoral environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Malia Sparks) - U.S. Marines with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, and U.S. soldiers with 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), offload a Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System from a Maneuver Support Vessel (Light) (MSV(L)) on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 17, 2025.

U.S. Marines with the III Marine Expeditionary Force clean their weapons outside the combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel) - U.S. Marines with the III Marine Expeditionary Force clean their weapons outside the combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

KMEP is conducted regularly between the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps to increase their combined capabilities through realistic training geared towards deterrence and maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific. Patris is a native of Oklahoma. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kanoa Thomas) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Patris, an infantry infantry unit leader with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, forward deployed with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program, collects expended brass with a Republic of Korea Marine with 1st Marine Division, ROK Marine Corps, during the Korean Marine Exercise Program 25.2 in Pohang, South Korea, July 29, 2025.