3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade News

Japanese, U.S. Troops Hone Bilateral Capability in Exercise Keen Edge 2024

Maj. George McArthur — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

The Western Army, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), and U.S. Task Force 76/3 (TF 76/3) completed simulated operations in a bilateral coordination node here as a part of exercise Keen Edge 24, February 8.

Courtney Rugby Club host Tomodachi Rugby Day with local teams

1st Lt. Isabel Izquierdo — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 06:46:00 GMT

U.S. service members with the Camp Courtney Rugby Club Jagers, hosted the Okinawa Rugby School Bulls, and other local rugby teams for a tomodachi, friendship in Japanese, rugby day, here, July 1.

CTF 76/3 Conducts Exercise Katana Strike

Courtesy Story — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 06:41:25 GMT

Air, ground and sea-based units from U.S. 7th Fleet, Pacific Air Forces, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and the Army demonstrated proficiency in joint-force planning, coordination and execution of dynamic targeting in littoral environments throughout Exercise Katana Strike.

CTF 76-3 Prepares for Noble Fusion 22.2

Courtesy Story — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 06:31:43 GMT

Task Force 76/3 recently formed as a result of merging the staffs of Navy's Task Force 76, Seventh Fleet, and 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Ambassador to Japan visits Oshima Islanders and Marines to Commemorate 3.11

DoD News — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 20:00:00 GMT

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.

CTF-76/79 Highlights Joint and Allied Naval Expeditionary Force Capabilities during Noble Fusion

DoD News — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 20:00:00 GMT

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.

U.S. Forces, JGSDF dominate air, land and sea during Exercise Noble Fusion

DoD News — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 08:00:00 GMT

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.

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit seizes USS Miguel Keith during Visit Board, Search and Seizure Operations in support of exercise Noble Fusion

DoD News — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 08:00:00 GMT

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.

Naval Expeditionary Forces conduct simulated strikes during Noble Fusion

DoD News — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 20:00:00 GMT

PHILIPPINE SEA – Aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Task Force 76, Marines operating from a simulated expeditionary advanced base (EAB), and JMSDF Sailors aboard JS Kongō, participated in simulated strike procedures to practice integrated fires capabilities.

Fly Now, Fight Now - 1st MAW Marines reinforce 3D MEB for Yama Sakura 81

2nd Lt. Jed Arend — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 06:34:44 GMT

OKINAWA, Japan – U.S. Marines from 1st Marine Air Wing reinforced the 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade during Yama Sakura 81 with Marines and Sailors from other elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force as well as Japanese soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, and U.S. soldiers from the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade Dec. 7 to Dec. 12, 2021 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan.

Bilateral Brilliance - 3D MEB and ARDB wrap up Yama Sakura 81

2nd Lt. Jed Arend — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 01:46:33 GMT

Okinawa, Japan – The 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade wrapped up Yama Sakura 81in multiple locations Dec. 12, 2021. Yama Sakura is an annual training exercise that focuses on the defense of Japan with bilateral planning, coordination, and interoperability between the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force and U.S. military units, including 3d MEB and the U.S. Army’s I Corps. The exercise highlights the continued commitment by both the United States and Japan to enhance American and Japanese combat readiness and integration while strengthening bilateral relationships.

Marines from 7th Communication Battalion first in, last out for Yama Sakura 81

2nd Lt. Jed Arend — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 05:19:00 GMT

OKINAWA, Japan – U.S. Marines from 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, reinforced Marines and Sailors of the 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade during Exercise Yama Sakura 81 as well as soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Dec. 7 to Dec. 12, 2021 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan.

Japan’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade joins the 3D MEB for Yama Sakura 81

2nd Lt. Jed Arend — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 23:07:11 GMT

OKINAWA, Japan – The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade is taking part in Exercise Yama Sakura 81 alongside 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, at Camp Ainoura, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.

3RD MEB COMPLETES RAPID RESPONSE REHEARSAL TO MAINTAIN READINESS FOR CRISIS

DoD News — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 14:00:00 GMT

The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3D MEB) completed a short-notice, rapid response Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force (ACM) rehearsal here Sept. 22, 2021.

3rd MEB Marines in Okinawa Complete Rapid Mobilization Drill to Prepare for Indo-Pacific Crises

Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 06:05:16 GMT

CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa, Japan – Marines with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade conducted an exercise that tested their ability to rapidly mobilize and validate command and control techniques during a crisis scenario in the Indo-Pacific region, June 30, 2021.

3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Reboot Graduation 2021

LCpl Natalie Greenwood — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 18:30:00 GMT

CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa, Japan – Five U.S. Marines and Sailors with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade graduated from the Reboot Recovery program on June 3, 2021. The Reboot Recovery program is a Christian faith-based non-profit organization that focuses on helping military service members, first-responders and their families heal from moral and spiritual wounds caused by service or other event related trauma.

Marines return to Oshima 10 years later

Maj. Caleb Eames — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT

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.

Captain Kevin W. Leishman Receives Purple Heart 16 years later for actions in Fallujah

Cpl. Francesca Landis — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT

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.

Command and Control from a Distance: 3rd MEB deploys to conduct distributed operations

Courtesy Story — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:36:00 GMT

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...

Marines from 1st MAW participate in Yama Sakura 79

Courtesy Story — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 17:00:00 GMT

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.