News Stories Archive

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 refuel an MV-22B Osprey at a forward arming and refueling point in preparation for exercise Resolute Dragon 21, Dec. 3, 2021 at Ojojihara Proving Grounds, Japan. RD21 is the largest bilateral field training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Self-Defense Force in 2021. RD21 is designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains. - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 refuel an MV-22B Osprey at a forward arming and refueling point in preparation for exercise Resolute Dragon 21, Dec. 3, 2021 at Ojojihara Proving Grounds, Japan. RD21 is the largest bilateral field training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Self-Defense Force in 2021. RD21 is designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

U.S. Marine Capt. Shane Kim, Logistics Officer for Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division conducts a Beach Landing Site survey alongside Maj. Laurence Medina, Operations Officer for the Philippine Marine Corps’ Coastal Defense Regiment as part of Exercise KAMANDAG 5-21 in Claveria, Philippines, Oct. 3, 2021. BLS surveys provide vital information in support of amphibious operations, enabling rapid, bilateral response to crisis when required. - U.S. Marine Capt. Shane Kim, Logistics Officer for Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division conducts a Beach Landing Site survey alongside Maj. Laurence Medina, Operations Officer for the Philippine Marine Corps’ Coastal Defense Regiment as part of Exercise KAMANDAG 5-21 in Claveria, Philippines, Oct. 3, 2021. BLS surveys provide vital information in support of amphibious operations, enabling rapid, bilateral response to crisis when required.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Morelia Capuchino Diaz, a food service specialist with Camp Courtney Mess Hall, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, places on a kevlar as she walks to the firing line during the new Annual Rifle Qualification on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 5, 2021. The ARQ is a three-day, combat-centric course of fire that tests Marines’ marksmanship skills in a dynamic-shooting environment. Shooters utilize artificial support, engage moving targets as well as engage targets while on the move. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Morelia Capuchino Diaz, a food service specialist with Camp Courtney Mess Hall, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, places on a kevlar as she walks to the firing line during the new Annual Rifle Qualification on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 5, 2021. The ARQ is a three-day, combat-centric course of fire that tests Marines’ marksmanship skills in a dynamic-shooting environment. Shooters utilize artificial support, engage moving targets as well as engage targets while on the move.

A U.S. Navy Sailor directs a Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH-183) off the coast of Japan, Oct. 3, 2021. Marines and Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) embarked aboard Izumo to support the first ever F-35B Lightning II operations aboard a Japanese vessel. The U.S. and Japan continue to work closely together to broaden their operational capabilities, support the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. - A U.S. Navy Sailor directs a Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH-183) off the coast of Japan, Oct. 3, 2021. Marines and Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) embarked aboard Izumo to support the first ever F-35B Lightning II operations aboard a Japanese vessel. The U.S. and Japan continue to work closely together to broaden their operational capabilities, support the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Marine Corps High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines conduct a fire mission during Exercise Noble Jaguar 2021 within the Central Training Area on Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 30, 2021. The Marine Corps and Navy leveraged integrated command and control and joint sensors to expand battlefield awareness, share targeting data, and conduct long-range precision strikes in support of sea control and sea denial in contested maritime environments. III Marine Expeditionary Force executed these actions as a part of an integrated operation with 7th Fleet to maintain readiness and demonstrate U.S. resolve to preserve regional security. - U.S. Marine Corps High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines conduct a fire mission during Exercise Noble Jaguar 2021 within the Central Training Area on Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 30, 2021. The Marine Corps and Navy leveraged integrated command and control and joint sensors to expand battlefield awareness, share targeting data, and conduct long-range precision strikes in support of sea control and sea denial in contested maritime environments. III Marine Expeditionary Force executed these actions as a part of an integrated operation with 7th Fleet to maintain readiness and demonstrate U.S. resolve to preserve regional security.

Japanese government officials and U.S. Marines come together for discussions during the Artillery Relocation Training Program Annual Planning Conference on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 22, 2021. The ARTP Annual Conference allows Japanese and U.S. officials to develop a better understanding of the goals of the program, as well as solidify bilateral objectives related to the training, the continued usage of training areas and the modernization of both forces. - Japanese government officials and U.S. Marines come together for discussions during the Artillery Relocation Training Program Annual Planning Conference on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 22, 2021. The ARTP Annual Conference allows Japanese and U.S. officials to develop a better understanding of the goals of the program, as well as solidify bilateral objectives related to the training, the continued usage of training areas and the modernization of both forces.

A U.S. Marine with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, provides security with his M240B medium machine gun during Crisis Response Exercise II in Kuwait, June 19, 2021. CRX II is a long range assault in which Marines simulate taking over and occupying a forward operations base in a hostile environment. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a crisis response force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region. - A U.S. Marine with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, provides security with his M240B medium machine gun during Crisis Response Exercise II in Kuwait, June 19, 2021. CRX II is a long range assault in which Marines simulate taking over and occupying a forward operations base in a hostile environment. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a crisis response force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jonathan Fico, a fire support Marine with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, assists in establishing an observation post during an exercise near Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 21, 2021. The training allowed 15th Brigade forces to study tactical communication, maneuver and fires increasing interoperability between the two countries. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jonathan Fico, a fire support Marine with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, assists in establishing an observation post during an exercise near Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 21, 2021. The training allowed 15th Brigade forces to study tactical communication, maneuver and fires increasing interoperability between the two countries.