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III MEF is the nucleus of a joint and coalition Stand-In Force within the First Island Chain. In competition, III MEF assures and expands access for the joint force across the Indo-Pacific. In crisis, it provides in-place response forces to secure allies and partners while deterring adversary aggression. In conflict, III MEF fights from advanced naval bases as part of a naval expeditionary force and enables Joint Force objectives in the Indo-Pacific.
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U.S. Marines with Hotel Battery, 31st MEU, ready an M142 HIMARS during a loading exercise at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Aug 27, 2025.
U.S. Marine Corps PFC. Noah Carver with MWSS-174, scans an aircraft for contaminates during exercise Toxic Swell 25.
U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, fly over the USS America with 31st MEU.
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, departs the USS George Washington with the 31st MEU.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ethan Cox, a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter 169 fires a GAU-21 machine gun during a live fire exercise.
UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, fly off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, July 19, 2025.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S. D. BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) successfully concluded Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 25 (UFS 25) Aug. 28 with their Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps allies, completing pivotal combined training operations.
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The MMOA Roadshow is coming to Okinawa, Sept. 8-9, 2025. There will be four roadshow briefs, a boards and programs brief as well as company and field grade town halls for your specific MOS.
On Aug. 8, 2025, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), supported an operational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission utilizing the MV-22B Osprey teamed with two Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters to distribute sonobuoys. This iteration of anti-submarine operations represents the first time a forward-deployed MV-22B assigned to the 31st MEU has operated in an ASW role within the Indo-Pacific theater, significantly enhancing the 31st MEU’s capabilities and contributing to regional maritime security.