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240731-M-AO923-1140

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kevin Pulido, an artillery electronics technician with 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division attaches an electrical cable to an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar during exercise Resolute Dragon 24 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan, July 31, 2024. The radar was deployed to support training with enhanced sensing and targeting data between 12th MLR and the JSDF during RD 24. This effort aims to enhance operational readiness in the region, underscoring the U.S. Marine Corps’ commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific through realistic training with innovative and proven technology. RD 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)

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240731-M-AO923-1110

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ethan Richter, a field artillery radar operator with 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division hammers a AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar ground wire during exercise Resolute Dragon 24 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan, July 31, 2024. The radar was deployed to support training with enhanced sensing and targeting data between 12th MLR and the JSDF during RD 24. This effort aims to enhance operational readiness in the region, underscoring the U.S. Marine Corps’ commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific through realistic training with innovative and proven technology. RD 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)

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240731-M-AO923-1154

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Saul Guerreroramos, an aviation radar technician with Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Air Wing connects an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar ground wire during exercise Resolute Dragon 24 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan, July 31, 2024. The radar was deployed to support training with enhanced sensing and targeting data between 12th MLR and the JSDF during RD 24. This effort aims to enhance operational readiness in the region, underscoring the U.S. Marine Corps’ commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific through realistic training with innovative and proven technology. RD 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)

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Orient Shield 24 kicks off; fortifies U.S.-Japan Alliance in support of Indo-Pacific Stability

240718-M-FO238-1023 (July 18, 2024) U.S. Soldiers stand in formation during the opening ceremony for Orient shield 24 at Aibano Training Area, Japan, July 18, 2024. Known as the largest bilateral field training exercise between the U.S. Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Orient Shield 24 continues to strengthen a long-standing partnership and remains essential to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mitchell Johnson)

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240317-M-QS704-1047

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Hajime Kitajima, the commanding general of Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade speaks during the Iron Fist 24 closing ceremony aboard the Osumi-class tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 17, 2024. The closing ceremony concluded training between the armed forces and awarded servicemembers for outstanding performance during Iron Fist 24. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado)

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240317-M-QS704-1073

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Trevor Hall, left, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade commanding officer and deputy commander of Task Force 76/3, speaks during the Iron Fist 24 closing ceremony aboard the Osumi-class tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 17, 2024. The closing ceremony concluded training between the armed forces and awarded servicemembers for outstanding performance during Iron Fist 24. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado)

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240317-M-QS704-1142

U.S Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, U.S. Navy Sailors with the America Amphibious Ready Group, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors pose for a group photo following the Iron Fist 24 closing ceremony aboard the Osumi-class tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 17, 2024. The closing ceremony concluded training between the armed forces and awarded servicemembers for outstanding performance during Iron Fist 24. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado)

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240317-M-QS704-1244

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Japanese soldiers with the 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment pose for a picture following the closing ceremony of Iron Fist 24 aboard the Osumi-class tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 17, 2024. The closing ceremony concluded training between the armed forces and awarded servicemembers for outstanding performance during Iron Fist 24. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado)

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U.S. 7th Fleet Hosts III MEF and JSDF for Naval Integration Staff Talks

Leadership and staff from U.S. 7th Fleet, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Forces pose for a photo during Naval Integration staff talks Dec. 9 onboard Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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U.S., Japan Hold Bilateral Intelligence Analysis Cell Opening Ceremony

Service members with U.S. Forces and and Japan Self Defense Forces members work side-by-side in the U.S.-Japan Bilateral Intelligence Analysis Cell (BIAC) on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 29, 2022. The U.S.-Japan BIAC functions to jointly analyze and process information gathered from assets of both countries in support of mutual security and cooperation.

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USS Tripoli Hosts Japan Self-Defense Force Flag/General Officers

Members of Japan Self-Defense Force disembark an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), June 3, 2022. Tripoli is conducting routine operations in U.S. 7th Fleet.

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MDX-ARDB: Stronger Together

A company commander with the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB), communicates through a translator during an air assault training exercise, on Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) Camp Fuji, Japan, March 9, 2022. The training exercise was conducted to build proficiency in rapidly seizing and defending key terrain. Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (MDX-ARDB) is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan.

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Keen Edge 22

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman, the III Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General, and Japan Self-Defense Force LTG Ryoji Takemoto, the Western Army Commanding General, collaboratively lead a virtual bilateral operations confirmation brief during exercise Keen Edge 22, Feb. 2, 2022. Keen Edge 22 was a bilateral command post exercise conducted Jan. 27 through Feb. 3, 2022. The exercise is an annual event that improves interagency coordination, combat readiness and interoperability of all participants. This U.S.-Japan exercise series alternates between field training exercises (i.e., Keen Sword) and command post exercises (i.e., Keen Edge).

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Exercise Yama Sakura 79

Maj. Eric Hurtado (right), assigned to U.S. Army I Corps, discusses preparations for the Combined Arms Rehearsal (CAR) with members of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Western Army during Yama Sakura 79 at Camp Kengun, Japan Dec. 7. Yama Sakura is the largest bilateral and joint command post exercise led by U.S. Army Pacific and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force which enables both forces to train against a realistic scenario that tests the capabilities and interoperability required to fulfill obligations under the mutual security treaty and maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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U.S. Military and Japan Self-Defense Forces Kick Off Keen Sword

U.S. Navy ships assigned to the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group join ships of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Escort Flotilla 1, Escort Flotilla 4, and the Royal Canadian Navy, in formation while aircraft from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, JMSDF and Japan Air Self-Defense Force fly overhead during Keen Sword 21. Keen Sword is an example of the strength of U.S.-Japan Alliance, the foundation of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for almost 60 years. The relationships built and maintained during these events are critical to our shared capability to respond to contingencies at a moment’s notice.

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Commander US 7th Fleet and Commander Naval Forces Japan Speak to National Institute for Defense Studies Students.

Rear Adm. Brian P. Fort, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) and Naval Region Japan (CNRJ), speaks to students attending a joint advanced course at Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies about the importance of the Japan and United States alliance. The students visited Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka to learn about their roles as future commanders in the Japan Self Defense Force.

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Yama Sakura 77 Draws to a Close

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, I Corps commanding general, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Takayuki Onozuka, commanding general of the JGSDF Eastern Army, address Yama Sakura 77 participants during the closing ceremony at Camp Asaka, Japan, Dec. 15, 2019. “We have shown over the past week that no enemy can stand against us if we fight together,” Volesky said. “There were many accomplishments shared by our forces during this exercise, including many that have never been done before.”

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JMSDF, MCAS Iwakuni Take Friendship Day 2019 to New Altitudes

Japanese guests view various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft during the 43rd Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force – Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2019. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a single-day air show designed to foster positive relationships and offer an exciting experience that displays the communal support between the U.S. and Japan. The air show encompassed various U.S. and Japanese static display aircraft, aerial performances, food and entertainment.

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U.S. Navy P-8A and Destroyer Join JSDF Search for Japanese F-35A Pilot

In this file photo, a P-8A Poseidon aircraft, assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 4, takes off from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., to conduct a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. VP-4 is a maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadron assigned to Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 and this occasion marks both VP-4 and Wing 10's first P-8A deployment following VP-4's platform transition from the P-3C Orion to the P-8A Poseidon aircraft between September 2016 to May 2017.

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Mattis: U.S. Will Not Accept Nuclear-Armed North Korea

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis, Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo and Republic of Korea Air Force Gen. Jeong Kyeong-doo, chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, render honors during an honor guard welcome ceremony with their Republic of Korea counterparts before the start of the 49th Security Consultative Meeting at the Ministry of Defense in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 28, 2017.

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