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

EXPLORE PHOTOS

III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Okinawa, Japan

Filter

Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, shows his appreciation to family readiness officers, May 39, 2018, at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. Family readiness officers dedicate their time to helping Marines and their families prepare for deployments. (U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Zackary Walker)

Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, shows his appreciation to family readiness officers, May 39, 2018, at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. Family readiness officers dedicate their time to helping Marines and their families prepare for deployments. (U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Zackary Walker)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Zackary Walker

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sierra Vandermark and her military working dog, Kas, provide security during a low-light assault as part of a field training exercise, May 22, 2018, at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan. The exercise tested the Marines’ ability to use nonlethal force, operate entry control points and process crime scene evidence. Vandermark is a native of Palmer, Alaska. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Baase)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sierra Vandermark and her military working dog, Kas, provide security during a low-light assault as part of a field training exercise, May 22, 2018, at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan. The exercise tested the Marines’ ability to use nonlethal force, operate entry control points and process crime scene evidence. Vandermark is a native of Palmer, Alaska. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Baase)

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Baase

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Grosin, a military police officer with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, provides security during a low-light assault, May 22, 2018, at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan. The exercise tested the Marines’ ability to use nonlethal force, operate entry control points and process crime scene evidence. Grosin is a native of Stony Point, New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Baase)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Grosin, a military police officer with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, provides security during a low-light assault, May 22, 2018, at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan. The exercise tested the Marines’ ability to use nonlethal force, operate entry control points and process crime scene evidence. Grosin is a native of Stony Point, New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Baase)

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Baase

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Kameron Alford, a military police officer with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, provides security during a low-light assault as part of a field training exercise, May 22, 2018, at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan. The exercise tested the Marines’ ability to use nonlethal force, operate entry control points and process crime scene evidence. Alford is a native of Lake Stevens, Washington. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Baase)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Kameron Alford, a military police officer with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, provides security during a low-light assault as part of a field training exercise, May 22, 2018, at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan. The exercise tested the Marines’ ability to use nonlethal force, operate entry control points and process crime scene evidence. Alford is a native of Lake Stevens, Washington. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Baase)

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Baase

Gunnery Sgt. Scott Michael Dahn, left, and Ching-Yi Sze, left, come together after Dahn rescued Ching-Yi while scuba diving May 20, 2018 at Maeda Point, Okinawa, Japan. Dahn brought Ching Yi, a Hong Kong native, to safety after she nearly drowned while scuba diving and supplied oxygen and care to her until paramedics came. Dahn, a native of Herron, Michigan, is the training chief for 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force and a native of Herron, Michigan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Neumann)

Gunnery Sgt. Scott Michael Dahn, left, and Ching-Yi Sze, left, come together after Dahn rescued Ching-Yi while scuba diving May 20, 2018 at Maeda Point, Okinawa, Japan. Dahn brought Ching Yi, a Hong Kong native, to safety after she nearly drowned while scuba diving and supplied oxygen and care to her until paramedics came. Dahn, a native of Herron, Michigan, is the training chief for 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force and a native of Herron, Michigan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Neumann)

Photo by Cpl. Andrew Neumann

Gunnery Sgt. Scott Michael Dahn, a native of Herron, Michigan, is the training chief for 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and saved a woman’s life while scuba diving May 20, 2018 at Maeda Point, Okinawa, Japan. Dahn brought a woman from Hong Kong to safety after she nearly drowned while scuba diving and supplied oxygen and care to her until paramedics came. Dahn is a certified scuba dive master and believes everybody should get certified. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Neumann)

Gunnery Sgt. Scott Michael Dahn, a native of Herron, Michigan, is the training chief for 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and saved a woman’s life while scuba diving May 20, 2018 at Maeda Point, Okinawa, Japan. Dahn brought a woman from Hong Kong to safety after she nearly drowned while scuba diving and supplied oxygen and care to her until paramedics came. Dahn is a certified scuba dive master and believes everybody should get certified. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Neumann)

Photo by Cpl. Andrew Neumann

Sgt. Brent Hawkins addresses Marines May 18, 2018 on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Hawkins recently won the outstanding squad leader award while participating in the 3rd annual Marine Corps Combat Engineer Sapper Challenge. Hawkins, a native of Decatur, Illinois, is a squad leader with Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cameron Parks)

Sgt. Brent Hawkins addresses Marines May 18, 2018 on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Hawkins recently won the outstanding squad leader award while participating in the 3rd annual Marine Corps Combat Engineer Sapper Challenge. Hawkins, a native of Decatur, Illinois, is a squad leader with Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cameron Parks)

Photo by Cpl. Carl King

Sgt. Brent Hawkins, the recipient of the Sapper Squad Leader Award, poses for a photo May 18, 2018 on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Hawkins recently won the outstanding squad leader award while participating in the 3rd annual Marine Corps Combat Engineer Sapper Challenge. Hawkins, a native of Decatur, Illinois, is a squad leader with Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cameron Parks)

Sgt. Brent Hawkins, the recipient of the Sapper Squad Leader Award, poses for a photo May 18, 2018 on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Hawkins recently won the outstanding squad leader award while participating in the 3rd annual Marine Corps Combat Engineer Sapper Challenge. Hawkins, a native of Decatur, Illinois, is a squad leader with Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cameron Parks)

Photo by Cpl. Carl King

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Simon Raygoza poses for a photo on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base during Exercise Balikatan, in Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Raygoza, a native of Chicago, Illinois, is a data systems administrator assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Krysten Gomez)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Simon Raygoza poses for a photo on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base during Exercise Balikatan, in Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Raygoza, a native of Chicago, Illinois, is a data systems administrator assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Krysten Gomez)

Photo by Cpl. Charles Plouffe

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Jason Reyes waits outside the religious services tent on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base during Exercise Balikatan, in Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Reyes, a native of San Fernando City, Philippines, is assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Krysten Gomez)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Jason Reyes waits outside the religious services tent on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base during Exercise Balikatan, in Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Reyes, a native of San Fernando City, Philippines, is assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Krysten Gomez)

Photo by Cpl. Charles Plouffe

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Jason Reyes waits outside the religious services tent on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base during Exercise Balikatan, in Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Reyes, a native of San Fernando City, Philippines, is assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Krysten Gomez)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Jason Reyes waits outside the religious services tent on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base during Exercise Balikatan, in Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Reyes, a native of San Fernando City, Philippines, is assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Krysten Gomez)

Photo by Cpl. Charles Plouffe

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Andre Allen makes sure that camp operations during Exercise Balikatan run smoothly at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Allen, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, is a data systems specialist assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Charles Plouffe)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Andre Allen makes sure that camp operations during Exercise Balikatan run smoothly at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Allen, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, is a data systems specialist assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Charles Plouffe)

Photo by Cpl. Charles Plouffe

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Andre Allen makes sure that camp operations during Exercise Balikatan run smoothly at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Allen, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, is a data systems specialist assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Charles Plouffe)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Andre Allen makes sure that camp operations during Exercise Balikatan run smoothly at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Allen, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, is a data systems specialist assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Charles Plouffe)

Photo by Cpl. Charles Plouffe

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Dawson Hatzman, an engineer assistant with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, stands under the Kintaikyo Bridge for a photo in Iwakuni City, Japan, May 1, 2018. Hatzman helped a local Japanese boatman free his boat from the current in the Nishiki River during Easter weekend. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauren Brune)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Dawson Hatzman, an engineer assistant with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 171, stands under the Kintaikyo Bridge for a photo in Iwakuni City, Japan, May 1, 2018. Hatzman helped a local Japanese boatman free his boat from the current in the Nishiki River during Easter weekend. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauren Brune)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Lauren Brune

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nicolle Lacantara works on his vehicle on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base during Exercise Balikatan, in Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Lacantara, a native of Bulacan, Philippines, is a motor transport mechanic assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Krysten Gomez)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nicolle Lacantara works on his vehicle on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base during Exercise Balikatan, in Tarlac, Philippines, May 11, 2018. Exercise Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to May 18. Lacantara, a native of Bulacan, Philippines, is a motor transport mechanic assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Krysten Gomez)

Photo by Cpl. Charles Plouffe

United States and Japan Ground-Self Defense Force soldiers unload boxes of water from a supply truck at Cabu Elementary School in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, in support of Exercise Balikatan, April 20, 2018. Balikatan 34-2018, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to 18. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

United States and Japan Ground-Self Defense Force soldiers unload boxes of water from a supply truck at Cabu Elementary School in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, in support of Exercise Balikatan, April 20, 2018. Balikatan 34-2018, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to 18. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

Brig. Gen. Daniel B. Conley, left, commanding general of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, awards Lt. Nicholas Crossland, a dental officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, with the Lt. J.G. Weedon E. Osbourne Memorial Award May 5, 2018 on Camp Foster. Crossland was awarded this for his work while attached to the 31st MEU. The Osborne award is given to dental officers who exhibit superior leadership while serving with the field medical service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jamin M. Powell)

Brig. Gen. Daniel B. Conley, left, commanding general of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, awards Lt. Nicholas Crossland, a dental officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, with the Lt. J.G. Weedon E. Osbourne Memorial Award May 5, 2018 on Camp Foster. Crossland was awarded this for his work while attached to the 31st MEU. The Osborne award is given to dental officers who exhibit superior leadership while serving with the field medical service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jamin M. Powell)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jamin Powell

Honored guests lower a time capsule into the ground to conclude the groundbreaking ceremony at Calangitan Elementary School in Capas, Tarlac, Philippines, in support of Exercise Balikatan, April 19, 2018. Balikatan 34-2018, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to 18. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Honored guests lower a time capsule into the ground to conclude the groundbreaking ceremony at Calangitan Elementary School in Capas, Tarlac, Philippines, in support of Exercise Balikatan, April 19, 2018. Balikatan 34-2018, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to 18. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

Students perform a song and dance for multinational service members, school faculty and staff, and honored guests during the groundbreaking ceremony at Cabu Elementary School in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, in support of Exercise Balikatan, April 20, 2018. Balikatan 34-2018, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to 18. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Students perform a song and dance for multinational service members, school faculty and staff, and honored guests during the groundbreaking ceremony at Cabu Elementary School in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, in support of Exercise Balikatan, April 20, 2018. Balikatan 34-2018, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to 18. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

U.S. service members help offload a truck full of supplies in support of Exercise Balikatan at Calangitan Elementary School in Capas, Tarlac, Philippines, April 19, 2018. Balikatan 34-2018, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to 18. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

U.S. service members help offload a truck full of supplies in support of Exercise Balikatan at Calangitan Elementary School in Capas, Tarlac, Philippines, April 19, 2018. Balikatan 34-2018, in its 34th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism and other combined military operations held from May 7 to 18. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

HP_Banner_MilOneSource.jpg.png

III Marine Expeditionary Force