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III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

III MEF Logo
FORWARD. FAITHFUL. FOCUSED.
Okinawa, Japan

Who we are

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.


 

01

1st LAR | Live Fire Range

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dario Astuhuaman fires an M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle during a live fire range at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan.

02

RD 25| Exercise Concludes

U.S. Marines from across the III Marine Expeditionary Force trained alongside Japan Self-Defense Force personnel during exercise Resolute Dragon 25.

03

RD 25| 12th LCT Force on Force

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tyler Pacheco, a rifleman with 12th Littoral Combat Team, maneuvers through wooded terrain during Resolute Dragon 25.

04

Resolute Dragon 25

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger Turner and Lt. Gen. Seiji Toriumi shake hands to commemorate the opening ceremony of Resolute Dragon 25.

05

31st MEU | Loading HIMARS

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.

06

31st MEU | VMFA 242

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, fly over the USS America with 31st MEU.

 

Featured News

III MEF logo history
III Marine Expeditionary Force
Nov. 8, 2019 | 4:17
III MEF logo history
III Marine Expeditionary Force
Nov. 8, 2019 | 4:17
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III MEF logo history
III Marine Expeditionary Force NFL Shout out
III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group participates in Resolute Dragon 25
III Marine Expeditionary Force Chaplain Services
OKINAWA, JAPAN – III Marine Expeditionary Force celebrates the 250th Marine Corps Birthday
Resolute Dragon 2025: U.S. Marines and Japan Self-Defense Force Steadfast Allies
1st MAW Marines, JGSDF strengthen readiness during Resolute Dragon 25
RD 25 | III MEF and Western Army Commanding Generals Hold Press Conference B-Roll
RD25 | MWSS-171 repairs damaged airfield
U.S. Marines participate in Rescue Flag 25-2
3d Marine Division Jungle Leaders Course 25-2
III Marine Expeditionary Force: Forward, Faithful, Focused
Capt. Randel Metzinger Shares His Experiences Working with the III MEF Band
U.S. Marines Operate sUAS and Experiment with UGV Platforms for Casualty Evacuations
3D Marine Division COMMSTRAT conduct physical training
 
III Marine Expeditionary Force