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3rd MEB Completes Rapid Response Rehearsal to Maintain Readiness for Crisis

U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force, load equipment onto a pallet during an ACM drill at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 22, 2021. 3d MEB is III Marine Expeditionary Force’s Fire Brigade, ready to respond to a wide range of crisis events throughout the Indo-Pacific region as a command-and-control node or as the nucleus of a Joint Task Force, from delivering humanitarian assistance during natural disasters to combat operations. This successful ACM drill showcased the 3d MEB’s readiness and validated 3d MEB’s ability to rapidly activate and deploy a Forward Command Element.

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Okinawa III MEF Marines receive recognition for Big Ideas

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Jenkyn Kittrell and Gunnery Sgt. Luis Feliciano received recognition from the III Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General, Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, III on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. The Marines were a part of a group that participated in the Big Ideas Challenge. Their ideas will help pave the way for innovation in the Marine Corps.

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Osprey’s: Taking III MEF to the Next Level

III Marine Expeditionary Force depicts their Osprey through a graphic illustration, on Okinawa, Japan, August 19, 2021. This graphic illustration was created using Adobe Illustrator.

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Marines, NMCB-4 Seabees rehearse expeditionary advanced base operations

A CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 , airlifts Civil Engineering Support Equipment (CESE) and materials for a simulated Expeditionary Advanced Base onto W-174 Joint Okinawa Training Range Complex, an uninhabited island off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, in support of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, as part of joint exercise Poseidon’s Watchtower. Poseidon’s Watchtower is a multi-domain exercise designed to simulate the establishment of Expeditionary Advanced Base operations through joint service integration.

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Jungle Warfare Exercise

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ray Pineda, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, engages the enemy during Jungle Warfare Exercise in the Northern Training Area on Okinawa, Japan, May 26, 2021. This unscripted force-on-force exercise tested and strengthened the Marines’ ability to operate within distributed jungle and littoral environments, while adapting to a thinking peer-level adversary. 3/3 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division, as a part of the Unit Deployment Program. Pineda is a native of Los Angeles, California.

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From Okinawa To Palau – Marines Exercise Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations During MEFEX 21

Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 and Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), conducted an expeditionary refueling exercise with a U.S. Navy Poseidon P-8 with Patrol Squadron 5 during MEFEX 21, in Airai Republic of Palau, February 7, 2021. The exercise showcased the survivability and lethality of the Navy and Marine Corps team while operating in a distributed maritime environment.

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U.S. Marines in Okinawa receive COVID-19 vaccine

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Ray Gerber, the commanding officer of III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, III MEF receives the COVID-19 vaccine on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 20, 2021. This was the first distribution of the vaccine on Camp Hansen since the U.S. Department of Defense began administering it to service members in Okinawa, Dec. 27, 2020.

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MCIPAC Marines stay mission ready with Training Exercise Frost

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Richard Madison Jr., a CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, gazes out the rear of a CH-53E Super Stallion during Training Exercise Frost at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19, 2020. Training Exercise Frost consisted of patrol exercises, room clearing training and infantry tactical skills to reinforce basic Marine Corps tactics to Marines that serve as the supporting establishment in base operations.. (

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Air Defense Soldiers rehearse PATRIOT battle drills during Keen Sword/Orient Shield 21

Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, rehearse battle drills with the PATRIOT long-range, all-altitude, all-weather air defense system capable of countering tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircrafts to enhance crew-drill proficiency during Keen Sword/Orient Shield 21 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 28. KS/OS 21 is a joint expeditionary bilateral exercise, which allows Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. military forces to work together across a variety of areas, enhancing the interoperability of U.S. and Japan forces.

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III MEF explores innovative concepts through Big Ideas Challenges

Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, launched the first Big Ideas Challenge last August to unleash the creativity and ingenuity of III MEF Marines and sailors against the most pressing challenges facing the Marine Corps. Marines are currently reviewing the submissions along with making recommendations on how to implement them.

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Expeditionary advanced basing capabilities on display during Exercise Noble Fury

U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, conduct a simulated High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fire mission while demonstrating expeditionary advanced basing capabilities Oct. 7 to 8, 2020, as part of Exercise Noble Fury, from Okinawa to Ie Shima and across surrounding waters. The Marines rapidly inserted via an air assault, defeated simulated adversary forces, secured the airfield, and established defensive positions around the island to enable follow-on operations in support of the navy including a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration mission under the cover of darkness. This exercise showcased survivability and lethality of the Navy and Marine Corps while operating in a distributed maritime environment.

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Kadena fighters, maintainers

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Joel L. Carey, 18th Wing commander, greets members who return from a deployment to U.S. Central Command Oct. 6, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. While deployed to the CENTCOM area of operations, Airmen conducted more than 1,000 sorties and 5,300 combat hours, which drove 13 phase inspections in six months. They’ll share the skills they learned in combat with Team Kadena, joint partners and allies to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific

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Semper Supra

1st Lt. Rio Sarmiento, assigned to the 16th Space Control Squadron (SPCS), was administered the oath of office into the United States Space Force by U.S. Marine Col. Michael Nakonieczny, commanding officer of the 31st MEU, aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). Sarmiento was transferred from being an Air Force Space Operations Officer to becoming the first Space Force Liaison Officer (LNO) deployed with the 31st MEU. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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JSTARS Shine at Kadena Air Base

5th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System team members work together to remove outer engine components of an E-8C Joint STARS aircraft at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 2020. The Air National Guard and active duty members from Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, are on three-month rotations to work with the 5th EACCS on KAB to promote total force integration and joint interoperability.

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200922-M-WH885-2097

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 22, 2020) Cpl. Clayton A. Phillips, a network administrator with Marine Air Control Group 18 Detachment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and a native of Beech Bluff, Tennessee, tests the connectivity of the Networking On-the-Move Airborne (NOTM-A) communications system during flight operations from the amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA 6). The NOTM-A provides the mission commander the ability to command and control forces on the ground while flying above the battlefield. America, flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group 7, along with the 31st MEU, is operating in the 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brienna Tuck)

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United States Space Force unit on Okinawa

Members of the 16th Space Control Squadron, 16th Expeditionary Space Flight-Alpha, pose for a photo after a transfer ceremony Sept. 9, 2020, on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan. These four Space Professionals are the first members from the U.S. Air Force to transfer and stand up the first United States Space Force unit on Okinawa.

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31st MEU, America ARG conduct VBSS rehearsal in South China Sea

U.S. reconnaissance Marines with the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) exfiltrate towards a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, during a simulated visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) mission aboard dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). VBSS is a part of Maritime Interception Operations that aim to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies in the maritime domain. Germantown, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The America ARG, 31st MEU team remains the premier crisis response force in the region despite the unique challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Fight and Deliver: 31st MEU, America ARG Build an Integrated Blue-Green Team

U.S. reconnaissance Marines with the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) exfiltrate towards a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, during a simulated visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) mission aboard dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). VBSS is a part of Maritime Interception Operations that aim to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies in the maritime domain. Germantown, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The America ARG, 31st MEU team remains the premier crisis response force in the region despite the unique challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Expeditionary Strike Group 7 Sailors Stay COVID-Free While at Sea

A U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has his temperature checked by Seaman Litzy Campos, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, embarked with Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The America ARG, 31st MEU team remains the premier crisis response force in the region despite the unique challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Crisis response: CLB-31, 31st MEU prepare NCO's to lead the way

Sgt. Davis Machado, a combat cargo specialist with Combat Logistic Battalion (CLB) 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), looks at a standard operating procedure book during a class about CLB’s roll in non-combatant evacuation operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18). New Orleans, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The America ARG, 31st MEU team remains the premier crisis response force in the region despite the unique challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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