OKINAWA, JAPAN (Mar. 12, 2023) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Sailors assigned the forward deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), and members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during the closing ceremony for Exercise Iron Fist aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force landing ship tank JS Osumi (LST-4001) while moored in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 12. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strength the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shelby M. Tucker) - OKINAWA, JAPAN (Mar. 12, 2023) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Sailors assigned the forward deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), and members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during the closing ceremony for Exercise Iron Fist aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force landing ship tank JS Osumi (LST-4001) while moored in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 12. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strength the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shelby M. Tucker)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michael Joyner tries on a German service member's gear during Exercise Cold Response 2022, Bodø, Norway, March 20, 2022. Joyner is a combat engineer with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Exercise Cold Response '22 is a biennial Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, as well as from 26 additional NATO allied nations and regional partners. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michael Joyner tries on a German service member's gear during Exercise Cold Response 2022, Bodø, Norway, March 20, 2022. Joyner is a combat engineer with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Exercise Cold Response '22 is a biennial Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, as well as from 26 additional NATO allied nations and regional partners.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Joshua Wilson, front, a joint terminal attack controller instructor with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, and U.S. Army Special Forces operators with 1st Special Forces Group, conduct simulated close air support using handheld Link 16 radios at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 15, 2022. The training focused on the joint force’s ability to integrate and refine tactics of CAS, which requires detailed planning and careful coordination between pilots and forces on the ground. - U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Joshua Wilson, front, a joint terminal attack controller instructor with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, and U.S. Army Special Forces operators with 1st Special Forces Group, conduct simulated close air support using handheld Link 16 radios at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 15, 2022. The training focused on the joint force’s ability to integrate and refine tactics of CAS, which requires detailed planning and careful coordination between pilots and forces on the ground.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. David Berger, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, departs from Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Feb. 19, 2022. Sailors and Marines of Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th MEU are visiting to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam while operating in U.S. 3rd Fleet. - U.S. Marine Corps Gen. David Berger, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, departs from Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Feb. 19, 2022. Sailors and Marines of Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th MEU are visiting to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam while operating in U.S. 3rd Fleet.

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.

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 Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, Carrier Strike Group 21, launches an F-35B Lightning II aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth at sea, May 6, 2021. VMFA-211 was conducting night carrier qualifications to safely reintegrate back into the CSG. VMFA-211 will form part of the largest 5th-generation carrier air group in the world. This deployment highlights the global reach of the U.S. and UK armed forces and their interoperability, and enhances the deterrence and defense capabilities of the NATO Alliance. - A Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, Carrier Strike Group 21, launches an F-35B Lightning II aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth at sea, May 6, 2021. VMFA-211 was conducting night carrier qualifications to safely reintegrate back into the CSG. VMFA-211 will form part of the largest 5th-generation carrier air group in the world. This deployment highlights the global reach of the U.S. and UK armed forces and their interoperability, and enhances the deterrence and defense capabilities of the NATO Alliance.

Marine Corps Cpl. Justin Machado, left, and Lance Cpl. Losia V.A. Wilson, both riflemen assigned to Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security after completing a simulated assault for a company-sized live-fire attack exercise during a theater amphibious combat rehearsal at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Feb. 23. - Marine Corps Cpl. Justin Machado, left, and Lance Cpl. Losia V.A. Wilson, both riflemen assigned to Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security after completing a simulated assault for a company-sized live-fire attack exercise during a theater amphibious combat rehearsal at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Feb. 23.

A U.S. Marine stands in front of the new F-35 flight simulator on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 21. - A U.S. Marine stands in front of the new F-35 flight simulator on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Jan. 21.

U.S. Marines conduct fast roping during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, Dec. 10. - U.S. Marines conduct fast roping during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, Dec. 10.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, left, outgoing commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Lt. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, incoming commander of MARFORPAC, salute the colors as they pass in review during the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 8, 2018. The change of command ceremony represents the transfer of responsibility and authority over MARFORPAC between commanders. - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, left, outgoing commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Lt. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, incoming commander of MARFORPAC, salute the colors as they pass in review during the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 8, 2018. The change of command ceremony represents the transfer of responsibility and authority over MARFORPAC between commanders.

(Left to right) U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Roy Kitchener, the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 2, speaks with Brig. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, during a rehearsal of concepts drill as part of Bold Alligator 2016 in Norfolk, Virginia, Aug. 13, 2016. BA16 focuses on improving Navy-Marine Corps amphibious core competencies along with coalition, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Allied and partner nations as an investment in the current and future readiness of naval forces. BA16 is taking place Aug. 15-26, 2016, along the eastern seaboard. - (Left to right) U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Roy Kitchener, the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 2, speaks with Brig. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, during a rehearsal of concepts drill as part of Bold Alligator 2016 in Norfolk, Virginia, Aug. 13, 2016. BA16 focuses on improving Navy-Marine Corps amphibious core competencies along with coalition, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Allied and partner nations as an investment in the current and future readiness of naval forces. BA16 is taking place Aug. 15-26, 2016, along the eastern seaboard.