The 3D MEB maintains a forward presence in the US Pacific Command (USPACOM) area of responsibility (AOR) and conducts combined operations exercises and training throughout the region to support III MEF's theater security cooperation plan in order to strengthen alliance relationships and enhance regional security. On order, 3D MEB conducts crisis response/consequence management as directed by III MEF in order to mitigate regional insecurity.
A decade ago this week, elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force raced north into freezing temperatures of Northeast Japan to answer an allied call for help after the devastating March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. The 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade flew to Sendai to set up a Forward Command Element with the Japan Self Defense Force. And simultaneously, Joint Force units from across the region under U.S. Indo-Pacific Command were sent to many other areas of Japan devastated by the disaster, all as part of Operation Tomodachi.
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On Nov. 10, 2004—the Marine Corps Birthday—Leishman served as an AAV mechanic with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Leishman and his Marines fought in the historic Second Battle of Fallujah during Operation Phantom Fury, Operation Iraqi Freedom.
U.S. Marines and sailors with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in order to rehearse distributed operations capabilities beginning January 21. 3rd MEB plays a critical role in the success of III Marine Expeditionary Force’s mission in the Indo-Pacific region, serving as the primary scalable, rapidly deployable command and control element for III MEF crisis operations. By deploying to MCAS Iwakuni, 3rd MEB is able to provide real-world practice for the command element and associated augments while they conduct remote operations and logistics planning for crisis response...
OKINAWA, Japan – U.S. Marines from Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing participated in Yama Sakura 79 with Marines from 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade as well as soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Dec. 9 to Dec. 14, 2020 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan.
U.S. Marines from 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group participated in Yama Sakura 79 with Marines from 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade as well as soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, December 9 to December 14 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan.
On March 8, Marines from the U.S. Embassy Tokyo and 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade attended the Oshima Island 10-year anniversary of the 3-11 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster and subsequent US response Operation Tomodachi.
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U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kyle Ellison, Commanding General for 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, poses for a photo with Capt. Kevin. W. Leishman, an Anti-Terrorism force protection officer, 3D MEB, and his family after a Purple Heart ceremony at the base theater, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 24, 2021. During the ceremony Leishman was awarded for wounds sustained in action against enemies of the United States 16 years ago during the Battle of Fallujah, Operation Phantom Fury, Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Francesca Landis)
U.S. Marines with 3rd Landing Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, weigh palletized gear during deployment preparation on Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 21, 2021. 3rd MEB practices distributed operations as part of the Marine Corps’ only forward-deployed force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood)
U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kyle Ellison, Commanding General for 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, awards Capt. Kevin W. Leishman, an anti-terrorism force protection officer, 3D MEB, with the Purple Heart medal at the base theater, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 24, 2021. During the ceremony Leishman was awarded for wounds sustained in action against enemies of the United States 16 years ago during the Battle of Fallujah, Operation Phantom Fury, Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Nickolas Beamish)
3D MEB Marines deployed on KC-130 aircraft from Okinawa to mainland Japan to rehearse distributed operations as part of 3D MEB’s mission to be able to rapidly conduct expeditionary advanced base operations on Jan. 24, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Maj. Caleb Eames)
3D MEB Marines with the Forward Command Element deployed on KC-130 aircraft from Okinawa to mainland Japan to rehearse distributed operations as part of 3D MEB’s mission to be able to rapidly conduct expeditionary advanced base operations on Jan. 21, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Maj. Caleb Eames)
U.S. Forces, Japan Elevates Health Protection Condition and Restricts Non-Essential Travel to the Republic of Korea