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Marines

EXPLORE PHOTOS

III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Okinawa, Japan

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Sgt. Maj. Mario Marquez, the III Marine Expeditionary Force sergeant major, talks about what it means to be a III MEF Marine during a radio show at American Forces Network, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 21, 2018. Marquez, Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. Peter Siaw, the Marine Corps Installations Pacific sergeant major, talked to the AFN Pacific audience about changes in the Marine Corps. “No other place where families are stationed, that I know of, has missiles being launched over it,” said Marquez. “Whether in anger or not, we are in the fight. III MEF Marines are in the fight.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Hannah Hall)

Sgt. Maj. Mario Marquez, the III Marine Expeditionary Force sergeant major, talks about what it means to be a III MEF Marine during a radio show at American Forces Network, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 21, 2018. Marquez, Sgt. Maj. Ronald Green, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. Peter Siaw, the Marine Corps Installations Pacific sergeant major, talked to the AFN Pacific audience about changes in the Marine Corps. “No other place where families are stationed, that I know of, has missiles being launched over it,” said Marquez. “Whether in anger or not, we are in the fight. III MEF Marines are in the fight.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Hannah Hall)

Photo by Pfc. Hannah Hall

Forces from all seven nations participating in Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 stand in formation during the opening ceremony Feb. 13, 2018, at U-Tapao International Airport, Ban Chang district, Rayong province, Thailand. Cobra Gold 18 provides a venue for both United States and partner nations to advance interoperability and increase partner capacity in planning and executing complex and realistic multinational force and combined task force operations. The annual exercise is conducted in the Kingdom of Thailand held from Feb. 13-23 with seven full participating nations.

Forces from all seven nations participating in Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 stand in formation during the opening ceremony Feb. 13, 2018, at U-Tapao International Airport, Ban Chang district, Rayong province, Thailand. Cobra Gold 18 provides a venue for both United States and partner nations to advance interoperability and increase partner capacity in planning and executing complex and realistic multinational force and combined task force operations. The annual exercise is conducted in the Kingdom of Thailand held from Feb. 13-23 with seven full participating nations.

Photo by Photo By Staff Sgt. Micaiah Anthony

III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael J. Fasano gives a farewell speech at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan on Feb. 9, 2018. Fasano enlisted in the Navy and attended recruit training December 1986 in San Diego, California. He retired after nearly 32 years of honorable service to the U.S. Navy.

III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael J. Fasano gives a farewell speech at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan on Feb. 9, 2018. Fasano enlisted in the Navy and attended recruit training December 1986 in San Diego, California. He retired after nearly 32 years of honorable service to the U.S. Navy.

Photo by Pfc. Hannah Hall

Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, awards the Legion of Merit to III MEF Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael J. Fasano during his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2018. Fasano, a native of Mobile, Alabama, worked closely with Nicholson as one of his senior enlisted advisors during the final years of his military career. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Hannah Hall)

Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, awards the Legion of Merit to III MEF Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael J. Fasano during his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2018. Fasano, a native of Mobile, Alabama, worked closely with Nicholson as one of his senior enlisted advisors during the final years of his military career. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Hannah Hall)

Photo by Pfc. Hannah Hall

Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, addresses the crowd during III MEF Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael J. Fasano’s retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2018. Fasano worked closely with Nicholson as one of his senior enlisted advisors during the final years of his military career.

Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, addresses the crowd during III MEF Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael J. Fasano’s retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2018. Fasano worked closely with Nicholson as one of his senior enlisted advisors during the final years of his military career.

Photo by Pfc. Hannah Hall

III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael J. Fasano gives a final salute to his fellow service members at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2018. Fasano enlisted in the Navy and attended recruit training December 1986 in San Diego, California. He retired after nearly 32 years of honorable service to the U.S. Navy.

III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Master Chief Petty Officer Michael J. Fasano gives a final salute to his fellow service members at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2018. Fasano enlisted in the Navy and attended recruit training December 1986 in San Diego, California. He retired after nearly 32 years of honorable service to the U.S. Navy.

Photo by Pfc. Hannah Hall

Garnet N. West is a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. At 19, he enlisted as a vehicle recovery operator from his home of Warner Robins, Georgia after graduating high school in 2011. He is currently attached to Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as a platoon sergeant. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Amaia Unanue/Released)

Garnet N. West is a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. At 19, he enlisted as a vehicle recovery operator from his home of Warner Robins, Georgia after graduating high school in 2011. He is currently attached to Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as a platoon sergeant. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Amaia Unanue/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Amaia Unanue

Royal Thai Army soldiers and Marines place the main pillar of a multifunctional building onto its concrete pad during a pillar-raising ceremony in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi Province, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. The ceremony marked the official start of engineering civic assistance projects for the exercise. Cobra Gold is in its 37th iteration, and humanitarian civic assistance projects conducted during the exercise support the needs and humanitarian interests of the Thai people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Royal Thai Army soldiers and Marines place the main pillar of a multifunctional building onto its concrete pad during a pillar-raising ceremony in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi Province, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. The ceremony marked the official start of engineering civic assistance projects for the exercise. Cobra Gold is in its 37th iteration, and humanitarian civic assistance projects conducted during the exercise support the needs and humanitarian interests of the Thai people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

Royal Thai Armed Forces, alongside U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members, observe the main pillar of a multifunctional building during a pillar-raising ceremony in support of Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. The ceremony marked the official start of engineering civic assistance projects for the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Royal Thai Armed Forces, alongside U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members, observe the main pillar of a multifunctional building during a pillar-raising ceremony in support of Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. The ceremony marked the official start of engineering civic assistance projects for the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, work on the construction of a multifunctional building in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. Cobra Gold is in its 37th iteration, and humanitarian civic assistance projects conducted during the exercise support the needs and humanitarian interests of the Thai people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, work on the construction of a multifunctional building in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. Cobra Gold is in its 37th iteration, and humanitarian civic assistance projects conducted during the exercise support the needs and humanitarian interests of the Thai people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jesus Ozuna shovels dirt during construction in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi Province, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. Ozuna is a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Cobra Gold is in its 37th iteration, and humanitarian civic assistance projects conducted during the exercise support the needs and humanitarian interests of the Thai people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jesus Ozuna shovels dirt during construction in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi Province, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. Ozuna is a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Cobra Gold is in its 37th iteration, and humanitarian civic assistance projects conducted during the exercise support the needs and humanitarian interests of the Thai people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

A Buddhist monk blesses villagers and multinational troops to conclude a pillar-raising ceremony in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. According to tradition, the main pillar of a building is blessed in order to please the spirits of the area so that no harm comes to the building in the future. The ceremony marked the official start of engineering civic assistance projects for the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

A Buddhist monk blesses villagers and multinational troops to conclude a pillar-raising ceremony in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. According to tradition, the main pillar of a building is blessed in order to please the spirits of the area so that no harm comes to the building in the future. The ceremony marked the official start of engineering civic assistance projects for the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

A Buddhist priest rubs powder on the main pillar during a pillar-raising ceremony in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi Province, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. The ceremony marked the official start of engineering civic assistance projects for the exercise. Thailand, the U.S. and their regional partners are committed to working together in areas of common interest for the betterment of regional security. Our long-standing alliance and partnership continues to grow and strengthen. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

A Buddhist priest rubs powder on the main pillar during a pillar-raising ceremony in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi Province, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. The ceremony marked the official start of engineering civic assistance projects for the exercise. Thailand, the U.S. and their regional partners are committed to working together in areas of common interest for the betterment of regional security. Our long-standing alliance and partnership continues to grow and strengthen. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

The main pillar of a multifunctional building is raised during a pillar-raising ceremony in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi Province, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. The ceremony marked the official start of engineering civic assistance projects for the exercise. Cobra Gold is in its 37th iteration, and humanitarian civic assistance projects conducted during the exercise support the needs and humanitarian interests of the Thai people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

The main pillar of a multifunctional building is raised during a pillar-raising ceremony in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Ban Pan Mo School in Chanthaburi Province, Kingdom of Thailand, Jan. 24, 2018. The ceremony marked the official start of engineering civic assistance projects for the exercise. Cobra Gold is in its 37th iteration, and humanitarian civic assistance projects conducted during the exercise support the needs and humanitarian interests of the Thai people. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Photo by Sgt. Matthew Bragg

1st Lt. Aaron Cranford receives the Navy and Marine Corps Medal from Maj. Gen. Craig Q. Timberlake, the commanding general for 3rd Marine Division, during an award ceremony on Jan. 8, 2017, at the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Headquarters building on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Cranford was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for risking his life while rescuing three divers and a local Okinawan who were caught in rip current during a recreational dive at Onna Point, Okinawa, Japan on April 23, 2017. Cranford, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, is a supply officer with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Josue Marquez)

1st Lt. Aaron Cranford receives the Navy and Marine Corps Medal from Maj. Gen. Craig Q. Timberlake, the commanding general for 3rd Marine Division, during an award ceremony on Jan. 8, 2017, at the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Headquarters building on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Cranford was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for risking his life while rescuing three divers and a local Okinawan who were caught in rip current during a recreational dive at Onna Point, Okinawa, Japan on April 23, 2017. Cranford, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, is a supply officer with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Josue Marquez)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Josue Marquez

Cpl. Noel Mayorqa, from the Bronx, New York, is a squad leader with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Marine Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. As a squad leader he ensures the platoon leader’s intent is being met by making sure each task is done quickly and efficiently. He’s also in charge of accountability, training and the general well-being of his squad. The 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance, throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Wildes/Released)

Cpl. Noel Mayorqa, from the Bronx, New York, is a squad leader with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Marine Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. As a squad leader he ensures the platoon leader’s intent is being met by making sure each task is done quickly and efficiently. He’s also in charge of accountability, training and the general well-being of his squad. The 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance, throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bernadette Wildes/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Bernadette Wildes

Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, awards Cpl. Matthew Dungan with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Jan. 3, 2018 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. Dungan, a bulk fuel specialist with Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB), 3rd Marine Logistics Group, received the award for aiding Master Sgt. Hector Trujillo, a motor transport maintenance chief with 9th ESB, who was injured at the scene of an accident on the Okinawa Expressway Dec. 1, 2017. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Jamin M. Powell)

Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, awards Cpl. Matthew Dungan with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Jan. 3, 2018 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. Dungan, a bulk fuel specialist with Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB), 3rd Marine Logistics Group, received the award for aiding Master Sgt. Hector Trujillo, a motor transport maintenance chief with 9th ESB, who was injured at the scene of an accident on the Okinawa Expressway Dec. 1, 2017. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Jamin M. Powell)

Photo by Sgt. Tiffany Edwards

Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, III MEF, brought home the Lloyd Memorial Trophy, Dec. 19, 2017, after the annual pacific division shooting matches held at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. It has been 40 years since the unit last won the trophy. Members of the team from left to right include: Cpl. Fernando Aguirre, Cpl. Melvon Davis, 1st Lt. Jeff Womelsdorf, Cpl. Mustafa Shabazz, 1st Lt. Nelson Lovos, Sgt. Nolan Peck, Sgt. Logan Maar, and Cpl. Alfredo Garciarodriguez. Gunnery Sgt. Justin Santiago, the only team member not depicted, was awarded a distinguished marksman badge. 1st Lt. Jeff Womelsdorf also achieved the top combined shooter during the event. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales/released)

Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, III MEF, brought home the Lloyd Memorial Trophy, Dec. 19, 2017, after the annual pacific division shooting matches held at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. It has been 40 years since the unit last won the trophy. Members of the team from left to right include: Cpl. Fernando Aguirre, Cpl. Melvon Davis, 1st Lt. Jeff Womelsdorf, Cpl. Mustafa Shabazz, 1st Lt. Nelson Lovos, Sgt. Nolan Peck, Sgt. Logan Maar, and Cpl. Alfredo Garciarodriguez. Gunnery Sgt. Justin Santiago, the only team member not depicted, was awarded a distinguished marksman badge. 1st Lt. Jeff Womelsdorf also achieved the top combined shooter during the event. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales/released)

Photo by Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales

171127-N-CL027-038 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 27, 2017) An MV-22 Osprey of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Janweb B. Lagazo)

171127-N-CL027-038 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 27, 2017) An MV-22 Osprey of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Janweb B. Lagazo)

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Janweb Marcyn Lagazo

171127-N-CL027-038 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 27, 2017) An MV-22 Osprey of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Janweb B. Lagazo)

171127-N-CL027-038 PHILIPPINE SEA (Nov. 27, 2017) An MV-22 Osprey of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Janweb B. Lagazo)

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Janweb B. Lagazo

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III Marine Expeditionary Force