Mission: 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.
On May 12, 2022, the U.S. Embassy Kathmandu, Nepal, held a memorial event honoring those lost seven years ago during Operation Sahayogi Haat, the U.S. response to the April 25, 2015, 7.8-magnitude earthquake which struck Nepal. Attending the event were the U.S. Ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry, the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Manuel Micaller Jr., Nepalese Chief of Army Staff Gen. Prabhu Ram Sharma, Nepalese Assistant Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Saroj Pratap Rana, and the Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kyle B. Ellison.
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OSHIMA ISLAND, Kesennuma, Japan - The U.S. Ambassador to Japan marked the 11-year anniversary of the March 11, 2011 disaster in Northeast Japan with a visit to the island of Oshima, meeting U.S. Marines and islanders united by Operation Tomodachi.
OKINAWA, Japan - Two Amphibious Ready Groups with embarked Marine Expeditionary Units along with a Carrier Strike Group, operated together in the Indo-Pacific during Exercise Noble Fusion 3-7 February 2022. The exercise, led by Combined Task Force 76/79, ranged from the Luzon Strait to the Miyako Strait and the East China Sea, encompassing a wide swath of the First Island Chain, including littoral areas in the vicinity of Okinawa.
EAST CHINA SEA- Multiple elements of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force continue to operate in the vicinity of Okinawa during Exercise Noble Fusion, alongside the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) on Feb. 6, 2022. The Noble Fusion team worked together to conduct aircraft refueling, both on the ground and in the air during day and night. Additionally, the team worked with allied helicopters, came ashore in small boats, conducted an aerial night strike and established a simulated Expeditionary Advance Base (EAB) in a secluded coastal area of Okinawa. The day’s events were accomplished under the direction of Combined Task Force (CTF) 79 and CTF-76.
EAST CHINA SEA – Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked aboard the USS America (LHA 6), conducted visit board, search and seizure (VBSS) training aboard the USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) as part of Exercise Noble Fusion, Feb. 5, 2022.
Japanese Maj. Gen. Shingo Nashinoki, Commander of Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, presented five U.S. Marine officers of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade with Certificates of Appreciation aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, May 11, 2022 in honor of our close relationship and hard work during past events such as the annual exercises Yama Sakura which rehearses the defense of Japan. Col. Michael "Spud" Brennan, Operations Officer of the 3D MEB, also presented a small gift to the ARDB CG signifying our shared common purpose and commitment as we work together to provide security in the First Island Chain and maintain a #FreeandOpenIndoPacific!
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The U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, Marines of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and U.S. Embassy Tokyo, along with family members and survivors of the 3.11.11 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster visit a memorial in Oshima dedicated to the relationship between the residents of the island and the U.S. Marine Corps in Kesennuma, Oshima, Japan March 11, 2022. The visit marked the 11-year anniversary of the disaster and subsequent relief response Operation Tomodachi. (Courtesy photo by U.S. State Dept. photographer)
Sgt. Maj. Aaron Colling, III MIG Sgt. Major, III MEF Information Group, crosses a rope bridge during a Jungle Warfare Training Center endurance course, March 3, 2022, at Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan. Throughout the course, Marines learned how to traverse, survive, and thrive in the jungle. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Zachary Sarvey)
A U.S. Marine with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, moves through an underwater obstacle during a Jungle Warfare Training Center endurance course, March 3, 2022, at Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan. Throughout the course, Marines learned how to traverse, survive, and thrive in the jungle. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Zachary Sarvey)
Two Amphibious Ready Groups with embarked Marine Expeditionary Units along with a Carrier Strike Group, operated together in the Indo-Pacific during Exercise Noble Fusion 3-7 February 2022. The exercise, led by Combined Task Force 76/79, ranged from the Luzon Strait to the Miyako Strait and the East China Sea, encompassing a wide swath of the First Island Chain, including littoral areas in the vicinity of Okinawa. The exercise showcased joint and allied naval expeditionary forces’ ability to rapidly aggregate as a combat force to conduct lethal sea-denial operations, seize key maritime terrain, guarantee freedom of movement, and create all-domain advantage for US, partner and allied forces.
U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kyle Ellison, Commanding General, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), addresses Marines and Sailors at the rehearsal of concept brief for Yama Sakura 81 on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan Dec. 4, 2021. Yama Sakura is the largest joint and bilateral command post exercise conducted by U.S. Army Pacific and the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force designed to increase joint force lethality, enhance design and posture, and strengthen alliances and partnerships (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sergeant Andrew Ochoa).
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Alex Butta, Future Operations Planner, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, briefs members with Maneuver Advisor Team 5310, Force Package 22-1, 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade, as well as other MEB planning staff aboard Camp Courtney, in Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19, 2021 in preparation for participation in Yama Sakura 81. Yama Sakura 81 is the largest U.S.-Japan bilateral and joint command post exercise which enables participants to work as dedicated partners in support of the Japan-U.S. security alliance and for continued peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This year’s exercise commemorates the 40th anniversary of Yama Sakura. (Photo by U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Caleb Eames)
U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force, unload equipment during an ACM drill at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 22, 2021. 3d MEB is III Marine Expeditionary Force’s Fire Brigade, ready to respond to a wide range of crisis events throughout the Indo-Pacific region as a command-and-control node or as the nucleus of a Joint Task Force, from delivering humanitarian assistance during natural disasters to combat operations. This successful ACM drill showcased the 3d MEB’s readiness and validated 3d MEB’s ability to rapidly activate and deploy a Forward Command Element. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Sgt. Kallahan Morris)
SASEBO, Japan (April 26, 2021) U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officers partake in a video teleconference onboard amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) as part of Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint. New Orleans, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelby Sanders)