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.

News Rollup Default Thumbnail - News Rollup Default Thumbnail

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.

A U.S. Marine with 1st Marine Division provides suppressive fire during Marine Air Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise 3-21 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 7, 2021. MWX is the culminating event of the Service Level Training Exercise, challenging the MAGTF to fight against a free thinking adversary with similar capabilities in a force on force environment. - A U.S. Marine with 1st Marine Division provides suppressive fire during Marine Air Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise 3-21 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 7, 2021. MWX is the culminating event of the Service Level Training Exercise, challenging the MAGTF to fight against a free thinking adversary with similar capabilities in a force on force environment.

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, prepares for takeoff during an Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force drill at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, May 20, 2021. The ACM exercise is a simulated crisis response drill that must be executed within 24 hours to prepare the Marines of 1st MAW to mitigate emergencies, provide humanitarian aid, and/ or counter threats to U.S. national interests within the Indo-Pacific region. - A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, prepares for takeoff during an Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force drill at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, May 20, 2021. The ACM exercise is a simulated crisis response drill that must be executed within 24 hours to prepare the Marines of 1st MAW to mitigate emergencies, provide humanitarian aid, and/ or counter threats to U.S. national interests within the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines with the III Marine Expeditionary Force and members of the Japan Ground-Self Defense Force 15th Brigade bands pose for a photo at Tedako Hall in Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan, April 16, 2021. The bands' harmonious performance was a display of the III MEF and 15th Brigade bands' alliance and unity within the musical arts. The annual concert was performed virtually and the recording will debut on social media platforms within the coming weeks. - U.S. Marines with the III Marine Expeditionary Force and members of the Japan Ground-Self Defense Force 15th Brigade bands pose for a photo at Tedako Hall in Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan, April 16, 2021. The bands' harmonious performance was a display of the III MEF and 15th Brigade bands' alliance and unity within the musical arts. The annual concert was performed virtually and the recording will debut on social media platforms within the coming weeks.

(From left) U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Thomas Diffley, Pfc. Elijah Stewart and Lance Cpl. Nicklas Martin, expeditionary firefighting and rescue specialists with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, pose for an environmental photo on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, April 7, 2021. EFR specialist Marines with H&HS provide aircraft rescue and firefighting services in support of airfield operations and respond to any fire-related emergencies and situations with a maximum response time of five minutes. Stewart is a native of Independence, Missouri, Diffley is a native of Dallas, Texas and Corkern is a native of Seattle, Washington. - (From left) U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Thomas Diffley, Pfc. Elijah Stewart and Lance Cpl. Nicklas Martin, expeditionary firefighting and rescue specialists with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, pose for an environmental photo on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, April 7, 2021. EFR specialist Marines with H&HS provide aircraft rescue and firefighting services in support of airfield operations and respond to any fire-related emergencies and situations with a maximum response time of five minutes. Stewart is a native of Independence, Missouri, Diffley is a native of Dallas, Texas and Corkern is a native of Seattle, Washington.

Lt. Col. Sally Ann Falco holds photos of two of her female Marine mentors, retired Sgt. Maj. Tammy Fodey and retired Sgt. Maj. Sarah Thornton, the first woman Marine to retire after 30 consecutive years of active service. Falco served as an enlisted Marine for 14 years before her acceptance to the Meritorious Commissioning Program. She commissioned in August 2001 and will soon retire after 34 fruitful years in the Marine Corps. “I’ve just been privileged to be allowed to be a Marine,” Falco said. “I still love it as much as the day I came in, and I would stay in forever, but I want to make room for others to climb the ladder and at the same time, contribute to society in another capacity.” - Lt. Col. Sally Ann Falco holds photos of two of her female Marine mentors, retired Sgt. Maj. Tammy Fodey and retired Sgt. Maj. Sarah Thornton, the first woman Marine to retire after 30 consecutive years of active service. Falco served as an enlisted Marine for 14 years before her acceptance to the Meritorious Commissioning Program. She commissioned in August 2001 and will soon retire after 34 fruitful years in the Marine Corps. “I’ve just been privileged to be allowed to be a Marine,” Falco said. “I still love it as much as the day I came in, and I would stay in forever, but I want to make room for others to climb the ladder and at the same time, contribute to society in another capacity.”

U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division conduct a military freefall infiltration as a part of exercise Castaway 21.1 on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, March 9, 2021. The exercise demonstrated the Marine Corps’ ability to integrate with the joint force to seize and defend key maritime terrain, provide low-signature sustainment, and execute long-range precision fires in support of naval operations from an expeditionary advanced base. - U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division conduct a military freefall infiltration as a part of exercise Castaway 21.1 on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, March 9, 2021. The exercise demonstrated the Marine Corps’ ability to integrate with the joint force to seize and defend key maritime terrain, provide low-signature sustainment, and execute long-range precision fires in support of naval operations from an expeditionary advanced base.