U.S. and Japanese Leaders Chart Path to Strengthen 'Cornerstone' Alliance

In this file photo, a Japanese Self-Defense Force CH-47 helicopter landing aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), during operation Noble Fusion in the Philippine Sea Feb 6, 2022. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) regularly conducts training exercises with the Japanese Self-Defense Force to strengthen the capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. Noble Fusion demonstrates that Navy and Marine Corps forward-deployed stand-in naval expeditionary forces can rapidly aggregate Marine Expeditionary Unit/Amphibious Ready Group teams at sea, along with a carrier strike group, joint forces and allies in order to conduct lethal sea-denial operations, seize key maritime terrain, guarantee freedom of movement, and create advantage for US, partner and allied forces. Naval Expeditionary forces conduct training throughout the year, in the Indo-Pacific, to maintain readiness.