The high-speed transport vessel USNS Guam (T-HST 1) departs Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, March 3, 2023. The USNS Guam will transport the Marines to the Republic of Korea for exercise Freedom Shield 23. Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - The high-speed transport vessel USNS Guam (T-HST 1) departs Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, March 3, 2023. The USNS Guam will transport the Marines to the Republic of Korea for exercise Freedom Shield 23. Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brooke Thompson, an avionics technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, poses for a photo in front of an F-35B Lightning II aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 20,2022. Thompson was awarded the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal for her meritorious service since her arrival to MCAS Iwakuni in 2018, where she held multiple billets, and supported multiple exercises and operations across the Indo-Pacific. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brooke Thompson, an avionics technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, poses for a photo in front of an F-35B Lightning II aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 20,2022. Thompson was awarded the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal for her meritorious service since her arrival to MCAS Iwakuni in 2018, where she held multiple billets, and supported multiple exercises and operations across the Indo-Pacific.

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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.

Staff Sgt. Gustavo Lopez, a Plane Captain assigned to the “Vipers” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, guides an UH-1Y Venom as it arrives at Naval Air Facility Misawa. HMLA-169 is at NAF Misawa to conduct Tilt Rotor/Rotary Wing training exercises and reduce the training activity impact on Okinawa. - Staff Sgt. Gustavo Lopez, a Plane Captain assigned to the “Vipers” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, guides an UH-1Y Venom as it arrives at Naval Air Facility Misawa. HMLA-169 is at NAF Misawa to conduct Tilt Rotor/Rotary Wing training exercises and reduce the training activity impact on Okinawa.

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60J helicopter with Ashiya Air Rescue Squadron recovers U.S. Marine Corps pilots as part of a bilateral search and rescue exercise at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Yufuin, Japan, April 27, 2021. The exercise allows U.S. and Japanese forces to quickly and effectively conduct search and rescue operations while strengthening the partnership between Marines and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel. - A Japan Air Self-Defense Force UH-60J helicopter with Ashiya Air Rescue Squadron recovers U.S. Marine Corps pilots as part of a bilateral search and rescue exercise at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Yufuin, Japan, April 27, 2021. The exercise allows U.S. and Japanese forces to quickly and effectively conduct search and rescue operations while strengthening the partnership between Marines and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel.

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 prepare to refuel a UH-1Y Venom helicopter assigned to Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 267 during a forward arming and refueling point training event as part of a Marine Corps combat readiness evaluation held by MWSS-172 at the Ie Shima training facility, Okinawa, Japan, April 15, 2021. The MCCRE creates a challenging, realistic training environment that produces combat-ready forces capable of operating as a deployed unit at any time. - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 prepare to refuel a UH-1Y Venom helicopter assigned to Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 267 during a forward arming and refueling point training event as part of a Marine Corps combat readiness evaluation held by MWSS-172 at the Ie Shima training facility, Okinawa, Japan, April 15, 2021. The MCCRE creates a challenging, realistic training environment that produces combat-ready forces capable of operating as a deployed unit at any time.

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.

U.S. Marines 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. - U.S. Marines 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.

A member of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force looks out the back of a CH-47JA Chinook helicopter during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army at Camp Soumagahara, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, Dec. 9. - A member of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force looks out the back of a CH-47JA Chinook helicopter during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army at Camp Soumagahara, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, Dec. 9.

U.S. Marines present colors during the change of command and re-designation of VMFA(AW)-242 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 16. - U.S. Marines present colors during the change of command and re-designation of VMFA(AW)-242 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 16.

U.S. Marines conduct a simulated High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fire mission while demonstrating expeditionary advanced basing capabilities Oct. 7 to 8. - U.S. Marines conduct a simulated High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fire mission while demonstrating expeditionary advanced basing capabilities Oct. 7 to 8.

U.S. Marine pilots prepare to disembark an AH-1Z Viper at U-Tapao International Airport, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 10, 2018. The Marines of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 ‘Gunfighters’ arrive to the Kingdom of Thailand to participate in Cobra Gold, one of the largest theater security cooperation exercises in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. HMLA-369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, is currently forward deployed under the unit deployment program with MAG-36, 1st MAW. Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 is an annual exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Thailand held from Feb. 13-23 with seven full participating nations. - U.S. Marine pilots prepare to disembark an AH-1Z Viper at U-Tapao International Airport, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 10, 2018. The Marines of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 ‘Gunfighters’ arrive to the Kingdom of Thailand to participate in Cobra Gold, one of the largest theater security cooperation exercises in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. HMLA-369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, is currently forward deployed under the unit deployment program with MAG-36, 1st MAW. Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 is an annual exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Thailand held from Feb. 13-23 with seven full participating nations.