NEWS

U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Donald O. Leppert, a native of Binghamton, New York salutes U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman, born in Camp Lejeune, as part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force change of office ceremony on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, May 4, 2023. U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Curtis D. Blunt, the outgoing command master chief of III MEF, relinquishes his duties to Command Master Chief Donald O. Leppert. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colton Nicks) - U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Donald O. Leppert, a native of Binghamton, New York salutes U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman, born in Camp Lejeune, as part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force change of office ceremony on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, May 4, 2023. U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Curtis D. Blunt, the outgoing command master chief of III MEF, relinquishes his duties to Command Master Chief Donald O. Leppert. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Colton Nicks)

U.S. and Philippine senior military leaders furl the exercise flag at the closing ceremony to conclude Balikatan 23 at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, April 28, 2023. Over the last three weeks, more than 17,600 personnel trained shoulder-to-shoulder across the Philippines’ northern Luzon and Palawan, increasing proficiency in maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operation, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - U.S. and Philippine senior military leaders furl the exercise flag at the closing ceremony to conclude Balikatan 23 at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, April 28, 2023. Over the last three weeks, more than 17,600 personnel trained shoulder-to-shoulder across the Philippines’ northern Luzon and Palawan, increasing proficiency in maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operation, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews)

Balikatan 2023 is the 38th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military. The exercise includes three weeks of training focused on amphibious operations, command and control, humanitarian assistance, urban operations and counterterrorism skills throughout northern and western Luzon. Coastal defense training figures prominently in the Balikatan 23 training schedule. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher) - A U.S. Army High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fires during a littoral live fire event during Balikatan 23 at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippines, April 26, 2023. Balikatan 2023 is the 38th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military. The exercise includes three weeks of training focused on amphibious operations, command and control, humanitarian assistance, urban operations and counterterrorism skills throughout northern and western Luzon. Coastal defense training figures prominently in the Balikatan 23 training schedule. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher)

Service members from the Royal Thai Marine Corps, Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, and the U.S. Marine Corps finish the reconstruction of a new roof for Miss Bunnam Inprom’s home during Exercise Cobra Gold 23 (CG23) at Chanthaburi, Kingdom of Thailand, March 2, 2023. - Service members from the Royal Thai Marine Corps, Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, and the U.S. Marine Corps finish the reconstruction of a new roof for Miss Bunnam Inprom’s home during Exercise Cobra Gold 23 (CG23) at Chanthaburi, Kingdom of Thailand, March 2, 2023. U.S. Marines and partner nations teamed up to build a new roof for Inprom’s home, which was destroyed by termites. Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171 and MWSS-172 participated in the 42nd iteration of the Cobra Gold series of exercises, where they lended their engineering expertise to multilateral humanitarian efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Rodriguez)

The ceremony honors three fallen World War II U.S. Navy airmen, whom died shortly after crash landing on the island. The memorial was developed by the people of Ishigaki and U.S. Service members as a symbol of peace and friendship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Megan Roses) - U.S. service members and distinguished guests pose for a photo during the Ishigaki Memorial Ceremony on Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan, April 15, 2023. The ceremony honors three fallen World War II U.S. Navy airmen, whom died shortly after crash landing on the island. The memorial was developed by the people of Ishigaki and U.S. Service members as a symbol of peace and friendship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Megan Roses)

Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, improve capabilities, and reinforce the shared security relationship built over decades of training and cooperation. More than 17,600 troops are participating in Balikatan 23, the 38th iteration of the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert - Philippine and U.S. military representatives conduct the unfurling of the flag during the opening ceremony to commence Balikatan 23 at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, April 11, 2023. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, improve capabilities, and reinforce the shared security relationship built over decades of training and cooperation. More than 17,600 troops are participating in Balikatan 23, the 38th iteration of the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sadie Colbert)

HWAJIN-RI BEACH, Republic of South Korea (March. 29, 2023) –Republic of Korea Marines and U.S. Marines assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a simulated amphibious assault during Ssang Young 23. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK Alliance, Ssang Young 2023 strengthens the Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward the ROK’s combined defense of the Korean Peninsula and increasing the readiness of the U.S.-ROK Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nicolas Atehortua) - HWAJIN-RI BEACH, Republic of South Korea (March. 29, 2023) –Republic of Korea Marines and U.S. Marines assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a simulated amphibious assault during Ssang Young 23. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK Alliance, Ssang Young 2023 strengthens the Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward the ROK’s combined defense of the Korean Peninsula and increasing the readiness of the U.S.-ROK Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nicolas Atehortua)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines were enjoying recreational skiing and snowboarding before providing first aide to an injured Japanese teen in Nagano, Japan Feb. 11, 2023. (Courtesy Photo) - U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines were enjoying recreational skiing and snowboarding before providing first aide to an injured Japanese teen in Nagano, Japan Feb. 11, 2023. (Courtesy Photo)

3rd Intelligence Battalion was recognized for pushing new concepts and going above and beyond what is typically expected of similar units in the performance of their duties. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alora J. Finigan) - U.S. Marines with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, receive the Intelligence Unit of the Year Award on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 13, 2023. 3rd Intelligence Battalion was recognized for pushing new concepts and going above and beyond what is typically expected of similar units in the performance of their duties. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alora J. Finigan)

The commander’s conference room was named in honor of ROK Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Shin Hyun-Joon, the first commandant and founder of the ROK Marine Corps. The dedication ceremony represents the strength and brotherhood of the ROK-U.S. Marine Corps alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - Republic of Korea Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-Hwan, Commandant of the ROK Marine Corps, left, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman, Jr., commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, right, U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Brian N. Wolford, commander of Marine Corps Forces Korea, center, display a formal declaration during a naming ceremony at Marine Air Ground Task Force Operations Center, Marine Corps Base Camp Mujuk, Republic of Korea, March 16, 2023. The commander’s conference room was named in honor of ROK Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Shin Hyun-Joon, the first commandant and founder of the ROK Marine Corps. The dedication ceremony represents the strength and brotherhood of the ROK-U.S. Marine Corps alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews)