OKINAWA, Japan -- Blue Chromite is a U.S.-only exercise which strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps expeditionary, amphibious rapid-response capabilities required to swiftly and effectively respond to a regional crisis or contingency across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, to include humanitarian assistance/disaster response. Army and Air Force participation serves to enhance this expeditionary capability by augmenting strategic lift via sea and air respectively.

Blue Chromite will test the Marine Corps’ fundamental expeditionary competencies to embark on amphibious ships in order to launch ashore via sea and air. The exercise allows forward deployed Marines not traditionally embarked aboard U.S. naval vessels to integrate and practice amphibious operations as part of a robust set of response capabilities from a sea base. Leveraging a sea base gives Marine Corps forces flexibility to go where and when they are needed.

Units participating include two Marine Corps infantry battalions with 3rd Marine Division, two Marine Corps air groups with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, two logistics battalions with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, USS Green Bay (LPD 20), USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) and USAV Harpers Ferry (LCU 2022). Participating forces are all forward-deployed to Okinawa which provides high-level and realistic training opportunities in a cost-effective manner.

Prior to exercise commencement, questions regarding U.S. training and personnel should be referred to III MEF Public Affairs at OkinawaPAO@usmc.mil. Imagery will be posted for public release at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/bluechromite throughout the training exercise.