U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a rapid deployment exercise conducted by 1st MAW, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 25, 2019. Marines with 1st MAW conducted a rapid deployment exercise to increase the confidence of III MEF’s ability to rapidly deploy and maintain a secure Indo-Pacific region. As the only forward-deployed MEF, III MEF is strategically postured to quickly and effectively respond to any crisis within the Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a rapid deployment exercise conducted by 1st MAW, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 25, 2019. Marines with 1st MAW conducted a rapid deployment exercise to increase the confidence of III MEF’s ability to rapidly deploy and maintain a secure Indo-Pacific region. As the only forward-deployed MEF, III MEF is strategically postured to quickly and effectively respond to any crisis within the Indo-Pacific region.