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. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22 and Australian Army soldiers secure an objective during exercise Predator's Run 22 at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, Aug. 27, 2022. Predator's Run 22 is a multinational exercise that simulates littoral combined arms maneuver in a large-scale force-on-force environment. - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22 and Australian Army soldiers secure an objective during exercise Predator's Run 22 at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, Aug. 27, 2022. Predator's Run 22 is a multinational exercise that simulates littoral combined arms maneuver in a large-scale force-on-force environment.

Royal Thai Armed Forces SM1 Uthon Namsuwan, a Thailand Mine Action Center Explosive Ordnance Disposal student with Humanitarian Mine Action Unit 3, performs a render safe technique on an 81mm high explosive mortar during an HMA EOD Level 3 course at Ta Mor Roi Training area in Surin Province, Thailand, Jul. 29, 2022. Royal Thai and American Armed Forces work together to train TMAC students in EOD level 3 in order to develop an EOD capacity to assist TMAC’s mission of becoming landmine free. This partnership is aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Mine Action Program, which assists partnered nations affected by landmines, explosive remnants of war, and the hazardous effects of unexploded ordnance. - Royal Thai Armed Forces SM1 Uthon Namsuwan, a Thailand Mine Action Center Explosive Ordnance Disposal student with Humanitarian Mine Action Unit 3, performs a render safe technique on an 81mm high explosive mortar during an HMA EOD Level 3 course at Ta Mor Roi Training area in Surin Province, Thailand, Jul. 29, 2022. Royal Thai and American Armed Forces work together to train TMAC students in EOD level 3 in order to develop an EOD capacity to assist TMAC’s mission of becoming landmine free. This partnership is aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Mine Action Program, which assists partnered nations affected by landmines, explosive remnants of war, and the hazardous effects of unexploded ordnance.

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 Corps 1st Lt. Seth McAnally, an infantry platoon commander, with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, conducts a patrol during Jungle Warfare Exercise 22 in the Northern Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 16th, 2022. JWX 22 is large-scale field training exercise focused on leveraging the integrated capabilities of joint and allied partners to strengthen all-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. 2/7 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division as a part of the Unit Deployment Program. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Seth McAnally, an infantry platoon commander, with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, conducts a patrol during Jungle Warfare Exercise 22 in the Northern Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 16th, 2022. JWX 22 is large-scale field training exercise focused on leveraging the integrated capabilities of joint and allied partners to strengthen all-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. 2/7 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division as a part of the Unit Deployment Program.

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 Corps Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, participates in a global video teleconference during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 21.2 at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Oct. 6. This iteration of PALS brought senior leaders of allied and partner militaries together to discuss Marine Corps Force Design 2030, expeditionary advanced base operations, intermediate force capabilities, and ways to improve interoperability between partners within the Indo-Pacific region. A total of 20 allies and partners from Asia, Australia, Europe, South America, and North America participated in the symposium. PALS was conducted virtually for the second time to comply with COVID-19 mitigation efforts. - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, participates in a global video teleconference during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 21.2 at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Oct. 6. This iteration of PALS brought senior leaders of allied and partner militaries together to discuss Marine Corps Force Design 2030, expeditionary advanced base operations, intermediate force capabilities, and ways to improve interoperability between partners within the Indo-Pacific region. A total of 20 allies and partners from Asia, Australia, Europe, South America, and North America participated in the symposium. PALS was conducted virtually for the second time to comply with COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Norwegian Army Lt. Col. Per Espen Strande, commanding officer, Norwegian Military Intelligence Battalion, exchanges a challenge coin with U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Eric Tee, commanding officer, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, during a visit aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 15, 2021. II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) intelligence commanders welcomed their counterparts with a tour of facilities and workspaces showcasing their capabilities. II MEF hosts also briefed on intelligence integration, mission accomplishment, and strengthening partnerships amongst the individual units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres) - Norwegian Army Lt. Col. Per Espen Strande, commanding officer, Norwegian Military Intelligence Battalion, exchanges a challenge coin with U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Eric Tee, commanding officer, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, during a visit aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 15, 2021. II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) intelligence commanders welcomed their counterparts with a tour of facilities and workspaces showcasing their capabilities. II MEF hosts also briefed on intelligence integration, mission accomplishment, and strengthening partnerships amongst the individual units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres)

An Australian Army soldier sights in on a target with a Blaser Tactical 2 Sniper Rifle during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Mount Bundey Training Area, June 18, 2021. U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy sailors, Australian Army soldiers and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers conducted a live fire range exercising their combined long-range precision marksmanship capabilities on multiple weapons systems. Defense ties between the United States, allies and partner nations are critical to regional security, cooperation and integration of our combined capabilities. - An Australian Army soldier sights in on a target with a Blaser Tactical 2 Sniper Rifle during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Mount Bundey Training Area, June 18, 2021. U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy sailors, Australian Army soldiers and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers conducted a live fire range exercising their combined long-range precision marksmanship capabilities on multiple weapons systems. Defense ties between the United States, allies and partner nations are critical to regional security, cooperation and integration of our combined capabilities.

Foreign liaison officers pose for a group photo at Range 36 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Mar. 17. - Foreign liaison officers pose for a group photo at Range 36 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Mar. 17.

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.

F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and the United Kingdom's Lightning 617 Squadron embarking onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, Sept. 22. - F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and the United Kingdom's Lightning 617 Squadron embarking onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, Sept. 22.

A landing craft air cushion lands on Alvund Beach, Norway during an amphibious landing in support of Trident Juncture 18, Oct. 30, 2018. Trident Juncture provides a unique and challenging environment for Marines and Sailors to rehearse their amphibious capabilities which will result in a more ready and proficient fighting force. The LCACs originated from USS New York and showcased the ability of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to rapidly project combat power ashore. - A landing craft air cushion lands on Alvund Beach, Norway during an amphibious landing in support of Trident Juncture 18, Oct. 30, 2018. Trident Juncture provides a unique and challenging environment for Marines and Sailors to rehearse their amphibious capabilities which will result in a more ready and proficient fighting force. The LCACs originated from USS New York and showcased the ability of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to rapidly project combat power ashore.