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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jarett Legg explains the egress procedures for the MV-22 Osprey during an Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force (ACM) drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, July 15, 2025. The ACM exercise is a simulated crisis response drill that must be executed within 24 hours to prepare Marines to mitigate emergencies, provide humanitarian aid, or counter threats to U.S. national interests within the Indo-Pacific region. Legg, a native of Vermont, is an MV-22 tiltrotor mechanic with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Pruett) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jarett Legg explains the egress procedures for the MV-22 Osprey during an Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force (ACM) drill on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, July 15, 2025. The ACM exercise is a simulated crisis response drill that must be executed within 24 hours to prepare Marines to mitigate emergencies, provide humanitarian aid, or counter threats to U.S. national interests within the Indo-Pacific region. Legg, a native of Vermont, is an MV-22 tiltrotor mechanic with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Pruett)

3D MEB Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force Capabilities

Marines and Sailors with 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade executed a simulated Alert Contingency MAGTF drill on Okinawa, July 14–18, 2025, testing their ability to rapidly mobilize, complete deployment preparations, and sustain operations in support of crisis and humanitarian missions across the Indo-Pacific.

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A graphic highlighting Month of the Military Child. - This graphic was designed to kickstart the Month of the Military Child, created using Canva, at Hurlburt Field, Florida, March 15, 2025. Month of the Military Child, celebrated in April, honors the resilience and sacrifices of children in military families, recognizing their unique challenges and contributions to the armed forces community. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Airman 1st Class Tori Haudenschild)

Celebrating the resilience of military families: The Month of the Military Child

In a recent message recognizing the Month of the Military Child, John C. Phelan, secretary of the navy, emphasized, “This month, let us go beyond words to show our appreciation and support for the remarkable children at every opportunity. We realize that the strength of our military comes from the families that stand behind them.” Echoing that

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CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan (April 9, 2025) — Brig. Gen. Trevor Hall performs a troop welfare check following the completion of the 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s 10K conditioning hike, ensuring the well-being of the Marines after the rigorous event. The hike enhances physical fitness and prepares the unit for rapid crisis response, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Giovanni A. Jimenez) - CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan (April 9, 2025) — Brig. Gen. Trevor Hall performs a troop welfare check following the completion of the 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s 10K conditioning hike, ensuring the well-being of the Marines after the rigorous event. The hike enhances physical fitness and prepares the unit for rapid crisis response, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 2nd Lt. Giovanni A. Jimenez)

3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade conducts 10-kilometer conditioning hike aboard Camp Hansen

The Marines and Sailors of the 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade completed a challenging 10-kilometer conditioning hike April 9, aimed at enhancing physical readiness and preparing the unit for rapid deployment in response to crises, natural disasters and humanitarian missions across the Indo-Pacific region.The day began early aboard Camp Courtney

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Lt. Col. Scott Blyleven, an operational planner with the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and Lt. Col. Melissa Blyleven, a logistics planner with the III Marine Expeditionary Force, walk with their daughter, Hanna, at Camp Courtney Beach, Okinawa, Japan, April 15, 2024. The Month of the Military Child, celebrated annually in April, recognizes military children for the daily sacrifices and challenges they overcome. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Samuel H. Barge) - Lt. Col. Scott Blyleven, an operational planner with the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and Lt. Col. Melissa Blyleven, a logistics planner with the III Marine Expeditionary Force, walk with their daughter, Hanna, at Camp Courtney Beach, Okinawa, Japan, April 15, 2024. The Month of the Military Child, celebrated annually in April, recognizes military children for the daily sacrifices and challenges they overcome. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Samuel H. Barge)

Spirit of Steel: Celebrating the Youngest Heroes of 3rd MEB

The head coach paused like a conductor catching an off-key clarinet. He fixed his eyes on a face flushed firetruck-red, streaming with tears. With a heavy mist across their faces, eleven eager preteens just watched their soccer coach instruct the next drill: the mechanics of the long ball. While scanning for distracted gazes, it was the all too

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

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.

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Courtney Rugby Club host Tomodachi Rugby Day with local teams

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.

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CTF 76/3 Conducts Exercise Katana Strike

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.

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Task Force 76/3 Logo - Task Force 76/3 Logo

CTF 76-3 Prepares for Noble Fusion 22.2

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.

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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. StateDept. photographer) - 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)

Ambassador to Japan visits Oshima Islanders and Marines to Commemorate 3.11

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.

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Ships of the America and Essex Amphibious Ready Groups, and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3, sail in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force during exercise Noble Fusion, led by Combined Task Force 79 (3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade) and CTF 76. Front row: Landing craft, utility from USS Essex (LHD 2). Second row, left to right: USS America (LHA 6), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Essex. Third row, left to right: USS Dewey (DDG 105), JS Kongō (DDG 173), USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), USS Spruance (DDG 111). Back row, left to right: USS Ashland (LSD 48), USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5). Noble Fusion highlights that Navy and Marine Corps forward-deployed stand-in naval expeditionary forces can rapidly aggregate Marine Expeditionary Unit/Amphibious Ready Group teams at sea, along with a carrier strike group, as well as other joint force elements and allies, in order to conduct lethal sea-denial operations, seize key maritime terrain, guarantee freedom of movement, and create advantage for US, partner and allied forces. Naval Expeditionary forces conduct training throughout the year, in the Indo-Pacific, to maintain readiness. (U.S. Navy photo) - Ships of the America and Essex Amphibious Ready Groups, and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3, sail in formation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force during exercise Noble Fusion, led by Combined Task Force 79 (3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade) and CTF 76. Front row: Landing craft, utility from USS Essex (LHD 2). Second row, left to right: USS America (LHA 6), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Essex. Third row, left to right: USS Dewey (DDG 105), JS Kongō (DDG 173), USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), USS Spruance (DDG 111). Back row, left to right: USS Ashland (LSD 48), USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5). Noble Fusion highlights that Navy and Marine Corps forward-deployed stand-in naval expeditionary forces can rapidly aggregate Marine Expeditionary Unit/Amphibious Ready Group teams at sea, along with a carrier strike group, as well as other joint force elements and allies, in order to conduct lethal sea-denial operations, seize key maritime terrain, guarantee freedom of movement, and create advantage for US, partner and allied forces. Naval Expeditionary forces conduct training throughout the year, in the Indo-Pacific, to maintain readiness. (U.S. Navy photo)

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

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.

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