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Marines

EXPLORE PHOTOS

III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Okinawa, Japan

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Lt Col. John W. Black takes time, Nov. 19, 2015, to show Sgt. Maj. Vincent C. Santiago the old living quarters, nearby Wellington, New Zealand, where the Marines of 1st Marine Division stayed during World War II. Santiago, from Merizo, Guam, is the sergeant major for 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Black, from Stockton, California, works at the U.S. embassy in New Zealand. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Lt Col. John W. Black takes time, Nov. 19, 2015, to show Sgt. Maj. Vincent C. Santiago the old living quarters, nearby Wellington, New Zealand, where the Marines of 1st Marine Division stayed during World War II. Santiago, from Merizo, Guam, is the sergeant major for 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Black, from Stockton, California, works at the U.S. embassy in New Zealand. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

A memorial to Sailors and Marines who lost their lives during World War II stands at a site near Wellington, New Zealand, near the old living quarters of 1st Marine Division. Sgt. Maj. Vincent C. Santiago, from Merizo, Guam, was shown the site by Lt. Col. John W. Black, from Stockton California, Nov. 19, 2015. Santiago, from Merizo, Guam, is the sergeant major for 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Black works at the U.S. embassy in New Zealand. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

A memorial to Sailors and Marines who lost their lives during World War II stands at a site near Wellington, New Zealand, near the old living quarters of 1st Marine Division. Sgt. Maj. Vincent C. Santiago, from Merizo, Guam, was shown the site by Lt. Col. John W. Black, from Stockton California, Nov. 19, 2015. Santiago, from Merizo, Guam, is the sergeant major for 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Black works at the U.S. embassy in New Zealand. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

Chief Johnathan Akers, left, helps Seaman Colin Mckeen, right, assess a simulated patient during a casualty evacuation drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Dec. 8, 2015. The casevac course is two weeks long and gives the students a better understanding of what it means to be a corpsman. The corpsmen are with various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released)

Chief Johnathan Akers, left, helps Seaman Colin Mckeen, right, assess a simulated patient during a casualty evacuation drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Dec. 8, 2015. The casevac course is two weeks long and gives the students a better understanding of what it means to be a corpsman. The corpsmen are with various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released)

Photo by Cpl. Ryan Mains

Hospital corpsmen lift a simulated casualty into M997 ambulance during a casualty evacuation drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Dec. 8, 2015. The casevac course is two weeks long and gives the students a better understanding of what it means to be a corpsman. The corpsmen are with various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released)

Hospital corpsmen lift a simulated casualty into M997 ambulance during a casualty evacuation drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Dec. 8, 2015. The casevac course is two weeks long and gives the students a better understanding of what it means to be a corpsman. The corpsmen are with various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released)

Photo by Cpl. Ryan Mains

A hospital corpsman assess a simulated patient during a casualty evacuation drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Dec. 8, 2015. The casevac course is two weeks long and gives the students a better understanding of what it means to be a corpsman. The corpsmen are with various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released)

A hospital corpsman assess a simulated patient during a casualty evacuation drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Dec. 8, 2015. The casevac course is two weeks long and gives the students a better understanding of what it means to be a corpsman. The corpsmen are with various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released)

Photo by Cpl. Ryan Mains

Petty Officer 1st Class Zachary Silveus, right, evaluates students after a casualty evacuation drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Dec. 8, 2015. The casevac course is two weeks long and gives the students a better understanding of what it means to be a corpsman. The corpsmen are with various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released)

Petty Officer 1st Class Zachary Silveus, right, evaluates students after a casualty evacuation drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Dec. 8, 2015. The casevac course is two weeks long and gives the students a better understanding of what it means to be a corpsman. The corpsmen are with various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released)

Photo by Cpl. Ryan Mains

Lt. Gen. Larry Nicholson, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, right, presents Lt. Gen. Sang Hoon Lee, commandant of the of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, left, with a gift Dec. 11, at III MEF Headquarters, Camp Courtney. Lee was on Okinawa from Dec. 11 to increase awareness of senior leader collaboration and oneness as the Combined Marine Component Command. The CMCC is a focused combined force designed to protect the safety and security of the people of Korea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria/Released)

Lt. Gen. Larry Nicholson, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, right, presents Lt. Gen. Sang Hoon Lee, commandant of the of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, left, with a gift Dec. 11, at III MEF Headquarters, Camp Courtney. Lee was on Okinawa from Dec. 11 to increase awareness of senior leader collaboration and oneness as the Combined Marine Component Command. The CMCC is a focused combined force designed to protect the safety and security of the people of Korea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria

Brig. Gen. Paul J. Kennedy says goodbye as 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s commanding general Dec. 7 at Camp Courtney. Brig. Gen. John M. Jansen accepted the responsibility from Brig. Gen. Paul J. Kennedy as 3d MEB’s commanding general. Jansen was previously the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources for Headquarters Marine Corps. Kennedy led 3d MEB during Operation Damayan in the Philippines and Operation Sahayogi Haat in Nepal. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria/Released)

Brig. Gen. Paul J. Kennedy says goodbye as 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s commanding general Dec. 7 at Camp Courtney. Brig. Gen. John M. Jansen accepted the responsibility from Brig. Gen. Paul J. Kennedy as 3d MEB’s commanding general. Jansen was previously the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources for Headquarters Marine Corps. Kennedy led 3d MEB during Operation Damayan in the Philippines and Operation Sahayogi Haat in Nepal. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria

Brig. Gen. John M. Jansen will assume command of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade from Brig. Gen. Paul J. Kennedy at a change of command ceremony at Camp Courtney, Dec. 7.

Brig. Gen. John M. Jansen will assume command of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade from Brig. Gen. Paul J. Kennedy at a change of command ceremony at Camp Courtney, Dec. 7.

Photo by Courtesy

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christian L. Charkowski, right, presents a plaque to New Zealand Defence Force Commander Nigel Philpott at the Defence Force Command and Staff College, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2015. Charkowski is the first U.S. Marine and second U.S. service member to graduate from the college. He attended the Joint Warrant Officers’ Advanced Course, where the objectives were to prepare senior level leaders for senior strategic advisory positions, increase the students’ knowledge of regional security for the Southwest Pacific and provide the students with insight into the workings of the government. Charkowski, from Madison, Wisconsin, is the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Philpot, from Wellington, New Zealand, is the commandant of the Defence Force Command and Staff College. (Marine Corps. photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christian L. Charkowski, right, presents a plaque to New Zealand Defence Force Commander Nigel Philpott at the Defence Force Command and Staff College, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2015. Charkowski is the first U.S. Marine and second U.S. service member to graduate from the college. He attended the Joint Warrant Officers’ Advanced Course, where the objectives were to prepare senior level leaders for senior strategic advisory positions, increase the students’ knowledge of regional security for the Southwest Pacific and provide the students with insight into the workings of the government. Charkowski, from Madison, Wisconsin, is the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Philpot, from Wellington, New Zealand, is the commandant of the Defence Force Command and Staff College. (Marine Corps. photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christian L. Charkowski, left, receives his graduation certificate from New Zealand Defence Force Lt. Gen. Tim Keating, at the Defence Force Command and Staff College, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2015. Charkowski is the first U.S. Marine and second U.S. service member to graduate from the college. He attended the Joint Warrant Officers’ Advanced Course there, where the objectives were to prepare senior level leaders for senior strategic advisory positions, increase the students’ knowledge of regional security for the South West Pacific and provide insight into the workings of the government. Charkowski, from Madison, Wisconsin, is the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Keating is the Chief of Defence for the New Zealand Defence Force. (Marine Corps. photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christian L. Charkowski, left, receives his graduation certificate from New Zealand Defence Force Lt. Gen. Tim Keating, at the Defence Force Command and Staff College, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2015. Charkowski is the first U.S. Marine and second U.S. service member to graduate from the college. He attended the Joint Warrant Officers’ Advanced Course there, where the objectives were to prepare senior level leaders for senior strategic advisory positions, increase the students’ knowledge of regional security for the South West Pacific and provide insight into the workings of the government. Charkowski, from Madison, Wisconsin, is the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Keating is the Chief of Defence for the New Zealand Defence Force. (Marine Corps. photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

Lt. Gen. Tim Keating, center, takes a photo with the graduating class of the Defence Force Command and Staff College, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2015. Sgt. Maj. Christian L. Charkowski, in the second row, third from left, was the first U.S. Marine and second U.S. service member to graduate from the course. He attended the Joint Warrant Officers’ Advanced Course, where the objectives were to prepare senior level leaders for senior strategic advisory positions, increase the students’ knowledge of regional security for the Pacific Southwest, and provide insight into the workings of the government. Charkowski, from Madison, Wisconsin, is the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Keating is the chief of defence for the New Zealand Defence Force. (Marine Corps. photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Lt. Gen. Tim Keating, center, takes a photo with the graduating class of the Defence Force Command and Staff College, Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2015. Sgt. Maj. Christian L. Charkowski, in the second row, third from left, was the first U.S. Marine and second U.S. service member to graduate from the course. He attended the Joint Warrant Officers’ Advanced Course, where the objectives were to prepare senior level leaders for senior strategic advisory positions, increase the students’ knowledge of regional security for the Pacific Southwest, and provide insight into the workings of the government. Charkowski, from Madison, Wisconsin, is the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Keating is the chief of defence for the New Zealand Defence Force. (Marine Corps. photo by Cpl. Tyler S. Giguere/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Giguere

Lt. Gen. Larry Nicholson, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, left, greets the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, right, as they walk to the Camp Hansen Theater Nov. 23, 2015. Neller and the Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green visited III Marine Expeditionary Force, the “tip of the spear,” in the Asia-Pacific region by travelling around and speaking with forward deployed Marines across the installations that comprise Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines and sailors of III MEF are faithfully committed to a force posture in the Asia-Pacific that is operationally ready and geographically dispersed, responsive to the requirements of the Japan/U.S. defense alliance.

Lt. Gen. Larry Nicholson, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, left, greets the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, right, as they walk to the Camp Hansen Theater Nov. 23, 2015. Neller and the Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green visited III Marine Expeditionary Force, the “tip of the spear,” in the Asia-Pacific region by travelling around and speaking with forward deployed Marines across the installations that comprise Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines and sailors of III MEF are faithfully committed to a force posture in the Asia-Pacific that is operationally ready and geographically dispersed, responsive to the requirements of the Japan/U.S. defense alliance.

Photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Devon A. Lee, the III Marine Expeditionary Brigade sergeant major, left, greets the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, right, as he enters the Camp Hansen Theater, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, to talk with Marines Nov. 23. Neller and the Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green, visited service members with III Marine Expeditionary Force, the “tip of the spear,” in the Asia-Pacific region by travelling around and speaking with forward deployed Marines across the installations that comprise Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines and sailors of III MEF are faithfully committed to a force posture in the Asia-Pacific that is operationally ready and geographically dispersed, responsive to the requirements of the Japan/U.S. defense alliance.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Devon A. Lee, the III Marine Expeditionary Brigade sergeant major, left, greets the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, right, as he enters the Camp Hansen Theater, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, to talk with Marines Nov. 23. Neller and the Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green, visited service members with III Marine Expeditionary Force, the “tip of the spear,” in the Asia-Pacific region by travelling around and speaking with forward deployed Marines across the installations that comprise Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines and sailors of III MEF are faithfully committed to a force posture in the Asia-Pacific that is operationally ready and geographically dispersed, responsive to the requirements of the Japan/U.S. defense alliance.

Photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria

A U.S. Air Force airman asks the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller a question Nov. 23 at the Camp Hansen Theater, Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Neller and the Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green, visited service members with III Marine Expeditionary Force, the “tip of the spear,” in the Asia-Pacific region by travelling around and speaking with forward deployed Marines across the installations that comprise Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines and sailors of III MEF are faithfully committed to a force posture in the Asia-Pacific that is operationally ready and geographically dispersed, responsive to the requirements of the Japan/U.S. defense alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by

A U.S. Air Force airman asks the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller a question Nov. 23 at the Camp Hansen Theater, Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Neller and the Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green, visited service members with III Marine Expeditionary Force, the “tip of the spear,” in the Asia-Pacific region by travelling around and speaking with forward deployed Marines across the installations that comprise Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines and sailors of III MEF are faithfully committed to a force posture in the Asia-Pacific that is operationally ready and geographically dispersed, responsive to the requirements of the Japan/U.S. defense alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by

Photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria

The 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, speaks with Cpl. Isaac Ibarra during a Nov. 23 visit to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The CMC and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green visited III Marine Expeditionary Force, the “tip of the spear,” in the Asia-Pacific region by traveling around and speaking with forward deployed Marines across the installations that comprise Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. The Marine Corps must be maintained as a crisis response force and a force in readiness, to include the ability for Marines to remain forward deployed and ready to fight and win. Ibarra is a combat correspondent with III MEF.

The 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, speaks with Cpl. Isaac Ibarra during a Nov. 23 visit to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The CMC and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green visited III Marine Expeditionary Force, the “tip of the spear,” in the Asia-Pacific region by traveling around and speaking with forward deployed Marines across the installations that comprise Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. The Marine Corps must be maintained as a crisis response force and a force in readiness, to include the ability for Marines to remain forward deployed and ready to fight and win. Ibarra is a combat correspondent with III MEF.

Photo by Cpl. William Hester

Lt. Gen. Larry D. Nicholson, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, commander of the Navy's 7th Fleet, meet as the sun rises at the III MEF Headquarters Building, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 20, 2015. Behind them stands a monument memorializing the Navy and Marine Corps' amphibious campaign in Okinawa during World War II. Today, the Navy and Marine Corps work with nations throughout the Pacific to promote enduring stability in the region.

Lt. Gen. Larry D. Nicholson, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, commander of the Navy's 7th Fleet, meet as the sun rises at the III MEF Headquarters Building, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 20, 2015. Behind them stands a monument memorializing the Navy and Marine Corps' amphibious campaign in Okinawa during World War II. Today, the Navy and Marine Corps work with nations throughout the Pacific to promote enduring stability in the region.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jesse Stence

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Maj. Lim Bonida participates in a technical decontamination class at the Institute of Explore and Experiment on Substance of Chemical Weapons, Longvek, in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Oct. 30, 2015. Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear Marines provided the National Authority of Chemical Weapons RCAF with basic CBRN training in support of the Humanitarian Mine Action program. The program focuses on assisting selected countries in relieving human suffering and in developing an indigenous mine action capability to help with explosive remnants of war. Bonida is with the Department of Information, Station Supervision, NACW, RCAF.

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Maj. Lim Bonida participates in a technical decontamination class at the Institute of Explore and Experiment on Substance of Chemical Weapons, Longvek, in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Oct. 30, 2015. Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear Marines provided the National Authority of Chemical Weapons RCAF with basic CBRN training in support of the Humanitarian Mine Action program. The program focuses on assisting selected countries in relieving human suffering and in developing an indigenous mine action capability to help with explosive remnants of war. Bonida is with the Department of Information, Station Supervision, NACW, RCAF.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Mandaline Hatch

U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordinance disposal technicians train the Cambodian Mine Action Center technicians how to safely dispose unexploded ordinance at Kampong Chhnang, in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Nov. 3, 2015. They are providing basic EOD training in support of the Humanitarian Mine Action program. The program focuses on assisting selected countries in relieving human suffering and in developing an indigenous mine action capability to help with explosive remnants of war.

U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordinance disposal technicians train the Cambodian Mine Action Center technicians how to safely dispose unexploded ordinance at Kampong Chhnang, in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Nov. 3, 2015. They are providing basic EOD training in support of the Humanitarian Mine Action program. The program focuses on assisting selected countries in relieving human suffering and in developing an indigenous mine action capability to help with explosive remnants of war.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Mandaline Hatch

Explosive ordinance disposal U.S. Marines and Cambodian Mine Action Center technicians pose for a picture in front of exploding ordinance at Kampong Chhnang, in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Nov. 5, 2015. U.S Marine EOD trained CMAC in support of the Humanitarian Mine Action program. The program focuses on assisting selected countries in relieving human suffering and in developing an indigenous mine action capability to help with explosive remnants of war.

Explosive ordinance disposal U.S. Marines and Cambodian Mine Action Center technicians pose for a picture in front of exploding ordinance at Kampong Chhnang, in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Nov. 5, 2015. U.S Marine EOD trained CMAC in support of the Humanitarian Mine Action program. The program focuses on assisting selected countries in relieving human suffering and in developing an indigenous mine action capability to help with explosive remnants of war.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Mandaline Hatch

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III Marine Expeditionary Force