News

Graphic illustration created on May 22, 2020, at Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans. This graphic was created to emphasize remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic illustration created by Lance Cpl. Colby Bundy) - Graphic illustration created on May 22, 2020, at Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans. This graphic was created to emphasize remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic illustration created by Lance Cpl. Colby Bundy)

MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE 2023

Marines, Sailors, civilians, and families of III MEF, Another Memorial Day is upon us. In the process of enjoying the first long weekend of the summer, it’s important that each of us takes the time to reflect on the meaning and purpose of this very special day.

Read More

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment conduct a retirement ceremony for Maj. Dennis Nichols on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Mar. 11, 2020. Maj. Nichols retired after 28 years of honorable service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eric Tso) - U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment conduct a retirement ceremony for Maj. Dennis Nichols on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Mar. 11, 2020. Maj. Nichols retired after 28 years of honorable service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eric Tso)

Deactivation of 1st Battalion, 12th Marines

In short order, the colors of 1st Battalion, 12th Marines will be cased. 1/12 is one of the most famous and storied artillery battalions currently serving in our Corps. From the early days of the Pacific Campaign, the battalion has always given a good account of itself. 1/12 has seen action in every clime and place, contributing to victory in many tough fights.

Read More

Vertical replenishments enable naval vessels to quickly receive critical resources without disrupting maritime security operations while underway. III MEF is postured to enable naval expeditionary operations within the first island chain as part of a Stand-in-Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emily Weiss) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Joseph McDonnell, a crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, lowers a package to the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) in the Philippine Sea, May 9, 2023. Vertical replenishments enable naval vessels to quickly receive critical resources without disrupting maritime security operations while underway. III MEF is postured to enable naval expeditionary operations within the first island chain as part of a Stand-in-Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emily Weiss)

U.S. Marines Resupply Ballistic Missile Submarine in Philippine Sea

U.S. Marines from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, provided a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) operation for a U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarine in the Philippine Sea, last week. Two U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallions from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462, 1st MAW, carried mission-essential equipment to the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) during its regularly scheduled patrol. Vertical replenishments enable naval vessels to quickly receive critical resources without disrupting maritime security operations while underway.

Read More

ACMEX confirms the III MEF Marines' crisis response capability as part of a Stand-in-Force within the First Island Chain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sav Ford) - U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) board a KC-130J Super Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 during an Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force Exercise (ACMEX) at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, May 19, 2023. ACMEX confirms the III MEF Marines' crisis response capability as part of a Stand-in-Force within the First Island Chain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sav Ford)

Alert Contingency MAGTF: Our most ready force

It is 3:00am on a Sunday morning. III Marine Expeditionary Force receives indications and warnings that a crisis is brewing. The order is given without hesitation, and the Marines and Sailors of the Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force (ACM) are geared up and ready to deploy with a full combat load within just a couple hours.

Read More

A member of the III MEF band coaches students on point during a sectional lesson for each instrument.楽器ごとに分かれてのレッスンで、生徒らにポイントポイントで指導する第三海兵遠征軍音楽隊員。 - A member of the III MEF band coaches students on point during a sectional lesson for each instrument. 楽器ごとに分かれてのレッスンで、生徒らにポイントポイントで指導する第三海兵遠征軍音楽隊員。

MARINE BAND INSTRUCTS LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BAND

At Jonan Elementary School in Shuri, Naha, the former seat of the Ryukyu Dynasty, 19 members of the brass band were practicing for their upcoming concert, Saturday, Feb. 25. It is not unusual to see club activities on weekends in Japan, but for these students, the day took on a different meaning.

Read More

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)

III MEF Change of Office

U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy Sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force participate in the III MEF 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. Blunt will retire from the United States Navy after 36 years of honorable service.

Read More

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)

Shoulder-to-shoulder, Philippines and United States conclude largest Balikatan exercise

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines hosted the closing ceremony of Exercise Balikatan 2023, marking the successful conclusion of the largest combined-joint military exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America.

Read More

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)

U.S.-Philippine Forces Sink Target Ship for First Time in Balikatan Exercise

A combined force of U.S. and Philippine service members participated in a combined joint littoral live-fire exercise today, the culminating field training event for Balikatan 2023.

Read More

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)

Humanitarian Efforts Make a Difference

“This has been my home for almost 35 years, and I grew too scared to live in it anymore when the roof started to collapse eight years ago from termites,” said Miss Bunnam Inprom, a 61-year-old Chanthaburi native. With Inprom’s roof being destroyed by termites, the multinational team of service members from Thailand, South Korea and U.S. offered their hand to restore her home. It was full of dirt and debris since it didn’t have a roof anymore. Royal Thai Marines, Republic of Korea Marines and Sailors, and U.S. Marines got to work and swept out the leaves and dust from Inprom’s living room, then moved on to metal construction to install the new support beams and the roof frame.

Read More

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)