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This graphic promotes the U.S. Navy’s birthday at Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCIEAST-MCB CAMLEJ) which is traditionally observed annually on October 13. Designed in Adobe Illustrator to enhance awareness and promote a tradition throughout the MCIEAST-MCB CAMLEJ Holcomb Blvd marquee audience. (U.S. Marine Corps digital illustration by GS-10 Anthony D. Summa) - This graphic promotes the U.S. Navy’s birthday at Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCIEAST-MCB CAMLEJ) which is traditionally observed annually on October 13. Designed in Adobe Illustrator to enhance awareness and promote a tradition throughout the MCIEAST-MCB CAMLEJ Holcomb Blvd marquee audience. (U.S. Marine Corps digital illustration by GS-10 Anthony D. Summa)

Navy Birthday - Message to the Force

Marines, Sailors, civilians, and families of III MEF, Today and tomorrow, on both sides of the International Dateline, our widely dispersed and busy MEF will celebrate the 248th birthday of the United States Navy. On this birthday, we reflect on the storied history of our Navy and acknowledge its enduring legacy. The Navy's unparalleled dedication

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The seminar was held to discuss the topic of suicide, and to share suicide prevention resources with key leaders, specifically staff noncommissioned officers and noncommissioned officers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Krogull) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Patrick Schindlbeck, left, an inventory management specialist with Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Lauren Swinson an Embedded Preventive Behavioral Health Capability Analyst, go over different perspectives involved in a case study at a Marine Corps Association Professional Leaders Seminar on Suicide Awareness and Prevention on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 27, 2023. The seminar was held to discuss the topic of suicide, and to share suicide prevention resources with key leaders, specifically staff noncommissioned officers and noncommissioned officers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Krogull)

III MEF MCA Professional Leaders Seminar

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA – U.S. Marines attended a Marine Corps Association Professional Leaders Seminar on Suicide Awareness and Prevention at The Palms on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 27, 2023.

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Republic of Korea Marine Cpl. Andrew Kim poses for a photo in front of the ROK Marine Corps emblem at Camp Baran, Republic of Korea Marine Corps Headquarters during Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 23. Kim, a Daegu, South Korea native, served as a translator on the watch floor of the operations center during UFS 23. Ulchi Freedom Shield is an annual exercise designed to strengthen the combined defense posture and Alliance response capabilities based on scenarios that reflect diverse threats within the security environment. This creates an opportunity for ROK and III MEF Marines to train together while conducting the live, virtual, and constructive exercise events that reaffirming the U.S.’s ironclad commitment to the defense of the ROK. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Gabriel Adibe) - Republic of Korea Marine Cpl. Andrew Kim poses for a photo in front of the ROK Marine Corps emblem at Camp Baran, Republic of Korea Marine Corps Headquarters during Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 23. Kim, a Daegu, South Korea native, served as a translator on the watch floor of the operations center during UFS 23. Ulchi Freedom Shield is an annual exercise designed to strengthen the combined defense posture and Alliance response capabilities based on scenarios that reflect diverse threats within the security environment. This creates an opportunity for ROK and III MEF Marines to train together while conducting the live, virtual, and constructive exercise events that reaffirming the U.S.’s ironclad commitment to the defense of the ROK. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Gabriel Adibe)

The Power of NCOs: Supporting Ulchi Freedom Shield 23

“Attention in the COC! Attention in the COC.” This a common command, a verbal warning order, that members of the Combined Marine Corps Component Command who work on the operations center watch floor became familiar with during exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 23.

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Martinmar enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves out of Asheville, North Carolina in February, 2015 after graduating from Pisgah high school in Canton, N.C. U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge is in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan. Ulchi 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. Martinmar is a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Julian Martinmar, an administrative specialist with III Marine Expeditionary Force, enters data into a manning document in the Landing Force Operations Center aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) in support of Ulchi Freedom Shield 23, August 28, 2023. Martinmar enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves out of Asheville, North Carolina in February, 2015 after graduating from Pisgah high school in Canton, N.C. U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge is in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan. Ulchi 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. Martinmar is a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews)

Ulchi Freedom Shield 23: Sgt. Julian Martinmar

FLEET ACTIVITIES YOKOSUKA, Yokosuka, Japan-- “The ship life has always been something that piqued my interest,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Julian Martinmar, a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and an administrative specialist with III Marine Expeditionary Force.

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U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge is in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan. Ulchi 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. Whyte is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - Republic of Korea Marine Corps Capt. Jae Hyun Kim, a public affairs officer with 1st Marine Division, left, and U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Keyon Whyte, a communication strategy and operations officer with III Marine Expeditionary Force work together in the Landing Force Operations Center aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) in support of Ulchi Freedom Shield 23, August 25, 2023. U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge is in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan. Ulchi 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. Whyte is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews)

III MEF and Republic of Korea Marines operate from USS Blue Ridge during Ulchi Freedom Shield 23

The command element of III Marine Expeditionary Force, with key leaders and planners from the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, embarked on the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) for the final phase of Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 23.

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Michelle Wozniak, the III Marine Expeditionary Force Prevention Director, left, gives an emergency service card to Jacob Aimes, the III MEF Inspector General Investigator on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, August 8, 2023. - Michelle Wozniak, the III Marine Expeditionary Force Prevention Director, left, gives an emergency service card to Jacob Aimes, the III MEF Inspector General Investigator on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, August 8, 2023. Marine Forces Japan ordered the cards to distribute to all assigned personnel, serving as a quick reference for emergency numbers in Japan during emergencies or disasters. Wozniak is a native of Honolulu, Hawaii and Aimes is a native of Detroit, Mich. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Savannah Mesimer)

MARFORJ receives 45,000 EMS cards for SOFA personnel

Adjusting to the laws and regulations of a new host nation can be confusing enough. Throw in a medical emergency, and international numbers with specific dialing instructions, and the unfamiliarity could lead to delays in assistance. To ease the cultural transition, and avoid miscommunication, MARFORJ commanders and emergency coordinators invested in a solution.

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Typhoon Khanun moved through Okinawa as a category 4 hurricane equivalent storm, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and high waves, marking one of the strongest storms to affect the island in recent years. Immediately after the storm, crews from across Marine Corps Installation Pacific and III Marine Expeditionary Force began assessing damage and initiating repair work to ensure the Marines on Okinawa remain operationally ready. Kamm is a native of Concord, California, and Fish is a native of Adel, Georgia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Matthew Kamm, left, a transmission systems operator, and Lance Cpl. Ali Fish, right, a data system administrator, both with Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, load a fallen tree into a USMC 7-ton on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Aug. 7, 2023. Typhoon Khanun moved through Okinawa as a category 4 hurricane equivalent storm, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and high waves, marking one of the strongest storms to affect the island in recent years. Immediately after the storm, crews from across Marine Corps Installation Pacific and III Marine Expeditionary Force began assessing damage and initiating repair work to ensure the Marines on Okinawa remain operationally ready. Kamm is a native of Concord, California, and Fish is a native of Adel, Georgia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan)

III Marine Expeditionary Force maintains readiness after Typhoon Khanun

U.S. Marines across installations on Okinawa weathered Typhoon Khanun, a storm equivalent to a category four hurricane, in August 2023. After the storm, vehicle and property were damaged, and communication abilities limited both on and off-base. For many Marines, this was their introduction to island living.

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TCCOR Definitions - TCCOR Definitions

Typhoon Khanun - Message to the Force

Marines, Sailors, civilians, and families of III MEF and MCIPAC, Typhoon Khanun is currently southeast of us; the storm maintained a slow trajectory through the night, which has pushed back anticipated TCCOR timelines. I anticipate a declaration of TCCOR 1 tonight by the Commander of the 18th Wing.

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Marines with 2d LAAD provided a defensive posture for the FARP from aerial threats as part of an expeditionary advanced base of operations. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher R. Lape) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Simon Li, a low altitude air defense gunner with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, aims a FIM-92E stinger missile system during a forward arming and refueling point exercise at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Australia, July 4, 2023. Marines with 2d LAAD provided a defensive posture for the FARP from aerial threats as part of an expeditionary advanced base of operations. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher R. Lape)