NEWS

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.

The Marines conducted the training utilizing buoys to detect underwater acoustics for ships and submarines in order to increase U.S. naval forces capabilities to detect and deter in the undersea domain. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Workman is a native of Indiana. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Mason Workman, an aerial observer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets parameters for the directional command activated sonobuoy system buoy during anti-submarine warfare training, in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 8, 2025.

The training demonstrates 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment’s ability to rapidly deploy long-range fire throughout the Indo-Pacific. The Marines are with 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rodney Frye) - U.S. Marines execute M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System dry-fire missions during a training exercise at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, June 8, 2025.

On 18 June 2025, 3d Radio Battalion bid fair winds and following seas to Lieutenant Colonel Gary A. Keefer, and welcomed Lieutenant Colonel Sean F. X. Barrett to the family. Lieutenant Colonel Keefer was the Battalion Commander of 3d Radio Battalion for three years and will be retiring after this post. Lieutenant Colonel Barrett is taking command of 3d Radio Battalion after serving consecutive assignments at I Marine Expeditionary Force G-2. - On 18 June 2025, 3d Radio Battalion bid fair winds and following seas to Lieutenant Colonel Gary A. Keefer, and welcomed Lieutenant Colonel Sean F. X. Barrett to the family. Lieutenant Colonel Keefer was the Battalion Commander of 3d Radio Battalion for three years and will be retiring after this post. Lieutenant Colonel Barrett is taking command of 3d Radio Battalion after serving consecutive assignments at I Marine Expeditionary Force G-2.

Pearce and Garcia-Park received challenge coins for their efforts during training with III MEF. The Guardians provided subject-matter expertise directly supporting III MEF training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexander Canal) - U.S. Space Force Maj. Ben Pearce, left, and Capt. Hannah Garcia-Park, right, with Space Training and Readiness Command, Mission Delta-11, pose for a photo with U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen Roger B. Turner, left-center, commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sgt Maj. Christopher J. Adams, right-center, sergeant major of III MEF, on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, June 10, 2025.

Schwartz was awarded the United States Marine Corps Sergeant Harry D. Myers Award for his significant contribution to the combat readiness of 3d MLR. The Sergeant Harry D. Myers Award recognizes the very best in Marine Corps leadership. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jonathan Beauchamp) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Ryan M. Schwartz, the company gunnery sergeant of Communications Company, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, poses for a photo on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 6, 2025.

The MKTSO involved elements of 3d MLR, U.S. Soldiers with 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, and Philippine Marines with Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 inserting via air and sea into various islands in the Batanes and Babuyan Island chains in order to rehearse securing and defending key maritime terrain with the NMESIS, Marine Air Defense Integrated System, and High Mobility Rocket Artillery System. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Malia Sparks) - U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, stage the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System during the Maritime Key Terrain Security Operation as a part of Exercise KAMANDAG 9 in the Philippines, May 25, 2025.

The ACM exercise is a simulated crisis response drill that must be executed within 24 hours to prepare Marines to mitigate emergencies, provide humanitarian aid, or counter threats to U.S. national interests within the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Sotodavila) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division board a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 during an Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force (ACM) drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, May 8, 2025.

Exercise Kaiju Rain 25 enhances III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group’s ability to conduct command and control, employ sensor capabilities and integrate multi-domain operations to enable III MEF, the joint force, and allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Hodgkins, a transmissions system operator with A Company, 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group is a native of Minnesota. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kira Ducato) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David Hodgkins tightens a rope to set up a Long-Range Radio System during Exercise Triad Thunder as part of Kaiju Rain on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 5, 2025.