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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)

Kicking Off the Largest Balikatan Ever

The Philippines and United States formally opened the largest Exercise Balikatan yet, on Tuesday, April 11 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters. With over 17,500 combined troops from the AFP and the U.S. military, the 38th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise will highlight four major events: Command Post Exercise, Cyber Defense Exercise, Field Training Exercise, and Humanitarian Civic Assistance.

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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)

13th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducts Ssang Yong 2023

The Alliance between the United States and Republic of Korea has endured the test of time for 70 years. From unforgiving conditions of Inchon and sub-zero temperatures of the Chosin Reservoir to brutal combat in the jungles of Vietnam, the U.S.-ROK Alliance has been forged through shared struggles of war and a common vision of freedom. Fast forward to present day, the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group celebrate this Alliance through executing Ssang Yong 2023.

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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)

U.S. Marines Treat Japanese Teen's Injury from Snowboarding Accident

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeants Ryan Cartwright, Tyler Rallo, and Scott Dike were enjoying the thrills of skiing and snowboarding in Nagano during some well-earned time off, but their day changed dramatically when they found an injured Japanese teen on Feb. 11, 2023.

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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)

Dominating the Gray Zone: 3rd Intelligence Battalion Battles to Top Intelligence Unit in Marine Corps

No greater place exists for maneuver warfare than the gray zone, where operations take place below the threshold of armed conflict. In this environment, intelligence battalions can leverage the ability to win without fighting and help the Marine Corps gain the advantage.

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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)

U.S. Marines, ROK dedicate a room to legendary ROK Marine

U.S. Marines and Republic of Korea Marines attend a conference room dedication in honor Lt. Gen. Shin Hyun-Joon, the first commandant of the ROK Marine Corps and the father of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps on Camp Mujuk, South Korea, March 16, 2023.

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U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, conduct Range 400, a company-level combined arms training event, during Marine Littoral Regiment Training Exercise (MLR-TE) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 9, 2023. MLR-TE is a large-scale, service-level exercise designed to train, develop, and experiment with the 3d MLR as part of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force, led by 3d Marine Division, operating as a Stand-in Force across a contested and distributed maritime environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Patrick King) - U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, conduct Range 400, a company-level combined arms training event, during Marine Littoral Regiment Training Exercise (MLR-TE) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 9, 2023. MLR-TE is a large-scale, service-level exercise designed to train, develop, and experiment with the 3d MLR as part of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force, led by 3d Marine Division, operating as a Stand-in Force across a contested and distributed maritime environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Patrick King)

Marine Littoral Regiment concludes historic exercise, set to join Stand-in Forces: ‘From this point forward, we are integrating them into our operations’

MLR-TE marked the first field training exercise featuring a MLR with all of its subordinate battalions integrated into a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) operating as a Stand-in-Force (SiF).

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U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen James W. Bierman, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, center-left, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-Hwan, center-right, stand with their combined staff at the ROK Marine Corps Headquarters, Baran, Republic of Korea, March 9, 2023. The two Marine Corps leaders met to discuss the expansion of combined-joint training on the Korean peninsula and promote mutual commitment between the two forces. The ROK-U.S. alliance is vital to the collective defense and security of the Korean Peninsula and the region, and the lynchpin of U.S. joint force posture in Northeast Asia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen James W. Bierman, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, center-left, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-Hwan, center-right, stand with their combined staff at the ROK Marine Corps Headquarters, Baran, Republic of Korea, March 9, 2023. The two Marine Corps leaders met to discuss the expansion of combined-joint training on the Korean peninsula and promote mutual commitment between the two forces. The ROK-U.S. alliance is vital to the collective defense and security of the Korean Peninsula and the region, and the lynchpin of U.S. joint force posture in Northeast Asia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews)

Senior U.S. and ROK Marine Corps generals meet in Republic of Korea

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP MUJUK, Republic of Korea – Marine Corps leaders from the Republic of Korea and United States met here, ahead of an annual theater-level exercise.

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The high-speed transport vessel USNS Guam (T-HST 1) departs Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, March 3, 2023. The USNS Guam will transport the Marines to the Republic of Korea for exercise Freedom Shield 23. Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - The high-speed transport vessel USNS Guam (T-HST 1) departs Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, March 3, 2023. The USNS Guam will transport the Marines to the Republic of Korea for exercise Freedom Shield 23. Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews)

U.S. Marines join Republic of Korea Marine Corps Allies for Exercise Freedom Shield 23

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP MUJUK, South Korea – U.S. Marines deployed from Japan and the United States ahead of large-scale combined exercise with their Republic of Korea Marine Corps counterparts, here.

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U.S. Marines conduct a pass and review during a relief and appointment ceremony on Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, March 7, 2023. Sgt. Maj. Eric D. Cook relinquished his duties as sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and sergeant major of Marine Forces Japan to Sgt. Maj. Joy M. Kitashima. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Diana Jimenez) - U.S. Marines conduct a pass and review during a relief and appointment ceremony on Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, March 7, 2023. Sgt. Maj. Eric D. Cook relinquished his duties as sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and sergeant major of Marine Forces Japan to Sgt. Maj. Joy M. Kitashima. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Diana Jimenez)

III MEF Sergeant Major Relief and Appointment

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Eric D. Cook, the outgoing sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Forces Japan, relinquished his duties at a relief and appointment ceremony on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, March 7, 2023.

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U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force embark the high-speed transport vessel USNS Guam (T-HST 1) at Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, March 3, 2023. The USNS Guam will transport Marines to the Republic of Korea for exercise Freedom Shield 23. Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force embark the high-speed transport vessel USNS Guam (T-HST 1) at Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, March 3, 2023. The USNS Guam will transport Marines to the Republic of Korea for exercise Freedom Shield 23. Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews)