An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Marines

NEWS

III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Okinawa, Japan

Tag: Japan

Japan’s top enlisted attend SNCO Academy leadership course

CAMP HANSEN, Japan - Warrant Officer Yoshiaki Suzuki, the sergeant major of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and eight other top enlisted soldiers, including command sergeants major from units throughout the JGSDF participated in the Japan Observer Exchange Program Jan. 21-24 at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy on Camp Hansen.“The

Allies respond to potential crises at Keen Edge 14

CAMP FOSTER — Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military forces participated in Exercise Keen Edge 2014, a joint-combined command post exercise, in an effort to better prepare and respond to potential emergency and crisis situations.Keen Edge 2014 is a weeklong, 24-hour-a-day exercise that used a computer-based system to simulate a potential

Combat Assault Battalion explodes through training

As the force of the explosion sends a shockwave through the air, the pressure can be felt against the chests of everyone nearby.The sound echoes through the area as Marines rush to clear the barbed-wire obstruction recently ravaged by the explosion. A bulldozer rumbles through the opening, churning up earth, clearing simulated mines from the

Helicopter crews put weapon system skills to test

As the aircraft’s nose comes down and the occupants feel a moment of weightlessness, the radio screeches to life, “Nose down … ball … rocket.” A hollow “thunk” signals a Hellfire missile ejecting from its containing tube, as the rumble of the solid-fuel rocket roars by the door.Two AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters and a UH-1Y Huey helicopter executed

International students tour Futenma, expand academic understanding

International students with Soka University of America toured Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Jan. 16 to develop a better understanding of the force laydown of U.S. installations on Okinawa and the U.S.-Japan security alliance.The trip was part of an intensive “learning cluster” of coursework under the direction of Jay M. Heffron, a history

Nursing home residents share New Year mochi tradition

In celebration of the New Year on Okinawa, many community members participate in a ceremony called mochitsuki. Mochitsuki is the act of pounding rice to make mochi, a paste-like food item (often served as a confection). It is believed that eating mochi promotes good health, longevity and prosperity over the course of the New Year.The Hikarigaoka

Law enforcement Marines patrol, clear urban terrain

“Move up, covering fire!” Orders like these mixed with the rattle of machine-gun fire as Marines with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion took defensive and offensive positions to outmaneuver the simulated enemy machine gunners during military operations on urbanized terrain training Jan. 16 in the Central Training Area.Marines with the battalion

3rd Med. Bn. hosts grappling tournament, tests MCMAP skills

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Unit events like field meets or warrior nights are routinely hosted to promote unit cohesion and help Marines and sailors maintain a positive focus on everyday life.3rd Medical Battalion expanded upon that concept by conducting a grappling tournament Nov. 15 on Camp Foster designed to increase morale and promote the Marine

Crewmasters serve as jack-of-all-trades

OKINAWA, Japan - With the flip of a switch, a crewmaster turns on an auxiliary power source to prepare the aircraft’s engines for startup. Moments later, the engines of the KC-130J Super Hercules roar to life as lights flicker in the cockpit, granting access to the pilot interface.Marine crewmasters serve as a crossbreed of the crew chief and

Combat pistol program reaches Okinawa

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa — Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific executed newly instituted combat pistol program qualifications with the M9A1 9 mm pistol Oct. 29 at Range 15 on Camp Hansen.The new pistol qualification, which was announced March 28 in Marine Administrative Message 168/13, incorporates a

HP_Banner_MilOneSource.jpg.png

III Marine Expeditionary Force