News

Marines with III MSB, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group and Army Soldiers with the 630th Clearance Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, worked in a joint environment to provide different elements of support. Marines provided a secure border around the training area, while Soldiers supplied manpower and machinery to create advantageous fighting positions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abigail Godinez) - U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion patrol during a joint training event at Dagmar North Training Area, Republic of Korea, Feb. 6, 2025.

Breaking the Ice, Breaking up Ground: III MSB Marines conduct joint training event with Army 11th Engineer Battalion Soldiers

Early on the morning of February 6, 2025, the Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III MEF Information Group joined Soldiers from 63rd Clearance Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at the frozen grounds of Dagmar North Training Area, South Korea to conduct a joint training event.

Read More

Collins met and toured logistics commands and installations of the JGSDF’s Western Army to better understand their capabilities and to discuss better integration with 3rd MLG for upcoming bilateral exercises and preparedness training for any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. 3rd MLG is focused on enhancing cooperation with partner nations, strengthening partnerships and demonstrating its role as a critical element in maintaining a ready and capable force to deter adversary actions and support a free and open Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kevin Collins, commanding general of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, center, and members of his command staff tour an ammunition supply warehouse with members of the Western Army Logistics Support Unit at the Kyushu District Depot on Camp Metabaru, Japan, Jan. 27, 2025.

3rd MLG CG Completes JGSDF, ROK Visits Ahead of Bilateral Exercises

Brigadier General Kevin Collins, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, completed today a multinational visit of U.S., Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea self-defense and military commands ahead of scheduled bilateral exercises in Japan and Korea, Jan. 27 through Feb. 4, 2025.

Read More

The purpose of these operations are to ensure that all necessary gear and personnel are embarked on ship prior to each patrol. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews) - U.S. Marines with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to transport High Mobility Artillery Rocket System ammunition from an U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) during onload operations at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 17, 2025.

31st MEU Embarks with the America Amphibious Ready Group

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), Jan. 28, campaigning and competing in the Indo-Pacific region.

Read More

RD 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in the 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 Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, communicates with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Masayoshi Arai, commanding general of the Western Army, during exercise Resolute Dragon 24 at JGSDF Camp Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan, August 4, 2024. RD 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in the 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 Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)

III MEF Advances into 2025: Building on a Year of Milestones and Strengthening Regional Security

As the calendar turns to 2025, the Marines, Sailors, and joint force enablers of III Marine Expeditionary Force are poised to build on the successes of 2024, a year marked by significant milestones and advancements in regional security. Through a robust series of exercises, training events, and community engagements, III MEF deepened relationships with regional partners and allies, reinforcing shared values of mutual respect, trust, and cooperation.

Read More

This was the first open-water amphibious movement for ACVs deployed to III Marine Expeditionary Force, accomplishing a new milestone for amphibious operations with the vehicle platform in the Indo-Pacific. Amphibious operations, including the use of ship-to-shore connectors, is a foundational aspect of Marine Corps operations and is critical to remaining the Nation’s premier expeditionary force in readiness. The Marines shown are with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kendrick Jackson) - U.S. Marines prepare Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) for amphibious operations at Kushi Crossing, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 10, 2024.

4th Marines ACVs Complete First Open Water Amphibious Movement

Amphibious Combat Vehicles with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, completed the first open-water amphibious movement in the Kushi Crossing, Dec. 10, 2024.

Read More

The DFT provided VMGR-153 pilots and aircrew with unit level training that enhanced squadron combat readiness while supporting community relations in remote Alaskan regions during the holiday season. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco) - A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J attached to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing flies during a deployment for training (DFT) while en-route to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 4, 2024.

VMGR-153 Supports Toys for Tots and Completes Arctic Training

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), recently embarked on a unique deployment to Alaska, combining rigorous training operations with impactful community service. The squadron's multifaceted mission showcased its adaptability and dedication to both military readiness and community relations.

Read More

These Marines were students of the first locally-offered blended Expeditionary Warfare School seminar at the air station. On this day, the students visited a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force museum, historic sites, and toured an F-35B Lightning II aircraft squadron to learn of the base's history and capabilities of the tenant commands. The Blended EWS Seminar Program provides company grade and warrant officers with formal education in amphibious operations and planning. This was the first iteration of the Blended EWS Seminar Program at MCAS Iwakuni, providing an important professional military education opportunity to the Marine officers stationed at this forward-deployed base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Samantha Rodriguez) - U.S. Marines stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni learn of the squadrons that compose Fleet Air Wing 31, a tenant command of MCAS Iwakuni, from Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Lt. Cmdr. Ogawa Yoshikazu, an EP-3 aircraft pilot with Air Reconnaissance Squadron 81, Fleet Air Wing 31, during a JMSDF museum tour at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 5, 2024.

Forward-deployed Marines complete first local blended Expeditionary Warfare School seminar

U.S. Marines stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, have graduated from the first blended Expeditionary Warfare School seminar offered at the air station. The graduates completed a five-and-a-half-month-long course that combined in-person and remotely taught seminars. This particular seminar was a pilot program to gauge its flexibility as an accelerated professional military education opportunity at a forward-deployed base.

Read More

4th Marine Regiment and its subordinate battalions’ colors have not been unified since 1977. While 4th Marines is headquartered in Okinawa, its subordinate battalions are stationed in the continental U.S. and participate in rotational deployments under the Unit Deployment Program and with Marine Expeditionary Units. Rivera, a native of Florida, is the sergeant major of 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. Cleveland, a native of Georgia, Young, a native of Pennsylvania, and Aja, a native of Texas, are the sergeant majors of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions, 4th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Noah Masog) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Rivera, left, Sgt. Maj. Marshall Cleveland, center left, Sgt. Maj. James Young, center right, and Sgt. Maj. Nathan Aja, stand with their regimental and battalion colors on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 21, 2024.

4th Marine Regiment Colors Reunification

U.S. Marines from 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, and three of its subordinate battalions gathered for a reunion of units’ colors, commanders, and staff for the first time in over 45 years, Nov. 21, 2024.

Read More

At the ceremony, 3d MLR officially received the Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System from Marine Corps Systems Command, becoming the first U.S. Marine Corps unit to field the system. The NMESIS provides 3d MLR with enhanced sea denial capabilities and maritime lethality. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons) - U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, participate in a ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Nov. 26, 2024.

3d Marine Littoral Regiment Receives NMESIS

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII – U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, formally received the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System – a mountable, ground-based anti-ship missile launcher – on November 26, 2024. In order to commemorate the intra-service hand-off and acknowledge the months of initial operational testing and evaluation that went into fielding the new weapon system, 3d MLR held a receiving ceremony and NMESIS static display at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii and invited distinguished visitors from across both U.S. and partnered militaries to take part.

Read More

Marines with the 31st MEU were paired with instructors from Deploying Group Systems Integration Testing to ensure that the Marines are efficient in functioning Command, Control, Communications and Computer equipment and are prepared for real-world contingencies. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. Rios is a native of Nevada. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sergio Rios, a system repairer with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets up a radio system during a communication exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19, 2024.