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SLIDESHOW | images | Pre-Deployment Brief U.S. Marine Corps Col. Paul Bock, commanding officer of Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rd MLG), speaks during a Korean Marine Exchange Program pre-deployment brief at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 6, 2025. Marines and Sailors with 3rd MLG attended a pre-deployment brief designed to equip them with essential information on operational readiness, mental resilience, and support services to help them transition smoothly into their deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rachel Mason)

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SLIDESHOW | images | Pre-Deployment Brief Ken Hirano, the Marine and Family Life counselor of 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rd MLG), speaks during a Korean Marine Exchange Program pre-deployment brief at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 6, 2025. Marines and Sailors with 3rd MLG attended a pre-deployment brief designed to equip them with essential information on operational readiness, mental resilience, and support services to help them transition smoothly into their deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rachel Mason)

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SLIDESHOW | images | Pre-Deployment Brief For KMEP U.S. Marines and Sailors with 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rd MLG) raise their hands in response to a question during a Korean Marine Exchange Program pre-deployment brief at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 6, 2025. Marines and Sailors with 3rd MLG attended a pre-deployment brief designed to equip them with essential information on operational readiness, mental resilience, and support services to help them transition smoothly into their deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rachel Mason)

The exercises Freedom Banner 25, Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) 25.1, and Freedom Shield 25 are designed to enhance interoperability between the two allies while strengthening regional security.

3rd Marine Logistics Group, the logistics arm of III Marine Expeditionary Force, will begin the series of exercises with a movement of troops and equipment from ports in Japan to South Korea during Freedom Banner 25.

"We are eager for this opportunity to train with our Republic of Korea Allies. I expect our presence and activities to demonstrate our shared commitment to the alliance and showcase warfighting excellence to both Allies and adversaries." said Brig. Gen. Kevin G. Collins, commanding general of 3rd Marine Logistics Group.

During KMEP 25.1, the Marines and Sailors of 3rd MLG will conduct a variety of bilateral training events such as counter mobility/mobility training, Military Operations in Urban Terrain, machine gun ranges, medical training, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive training. One subordinate element of 3rd MLG, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, will conduct provisional infantry operations and counter-mobility operations with their ROK Marine counterparts that will culminate with mobility operations while employing the ROK's Armored Combat Earth-mover.

"The ongoing training between the United States Marine Corps and ROK Marine Corps is a valuable opportunity to reinforce the strength of our alliance," said Lt. Gen. Ju Il-seok, commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. "These types of exercises highlight the important role that Marines play in the broader ROK-U.S. Alliance.”

In addition to the bilateral training, the Marines and Sailors of 3rd MLG will be conducting numerous unilateral training events as well. This training will include demolition ranges, a 40-millimeter grenade launcher range, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, a live-fire and movement range, and professional military education at the War Memorial of Korea.

The training will finish with the command post exercise Freedom Shield 25. 3rd MLG will integrate with joint/combined forces and rehearse command and control of combined combat service support functions to refine regional contingency plans and increase III MEF interoperability within the Combined Forces Command.