3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade

U.S. Marine assault amphibious vehicles, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, participate in an amphibious exercise during KAMANDAG 3 at Katungkulan Beach, Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim, Philippines, Oct. 12, 2019. KAMANDAG helps participating forces maintain a high level of readiness and responsiveness, and enhances combined military-to-military relations, interoperability, and multinational coordination. KAMANDAG is an acronym for the Filipino phrase "Kaagapay Ng Mga Manirigma Ng Dagat," which translates to "Cooperation of the Warriors of the Sea," highlighting the partnership between the U.S. and Philippine militaries. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bragg)

Subic Bay, October 9, 2019 — The 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the Philippine Marine Ready Force opened Exercise KAMANDAG 3 on Wednesday, October 9th with a ceremony at the Subic Bay International Airport. KAMANDAG 3 will take place from October 9 to 18, 2019, at multiple locations on the Philippine islands of Luzon and Palawan.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Paul J. Rock Jr. addresses the audience during the assumption of command as the deputy commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and commanding general of the 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade at the Camp Courtney Theater, July 26, 2019. The assumption of command ceremony represents the relinquishing of power from one commanding general to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. George Melendez)

From left, Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, commander, Southern Luzon Command; Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines; Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna, Undersecretary of the Department of National Defense; Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, AFP chief of staff; and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Eric M. Smith, commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” during the Exercise Balikatan closing ceremony held at Tejeros Hall, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines, April 12, 2019. The ceremony represented the official conclusion of Balikatan 2019 and showed that the United States and the Republic of the Philippines continue to stand “shoulder-to-shoulder.” Exercise Balikatan, focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trystan Jordan)

U.S. and Philippine Marines go from ship to shore in Assault Amphibious Vehicles during an amphibious landing exercise at the Naval Education and Training Command training area, Zambales, Philippines, April 11, 2018 in support of exercise Balikatan 2019. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine exercise focused on various types of military training, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, and other combined military operations held from April 1 to April 12. Balikatan helps participating forces maintain a high level of readiness and responsiveness and enhances combined military-to-military relations and capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isaiah Campbell)