U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Madison Hamby, an air support control officer with Marine Corps Air Support Squadron (MASS) 2, @1stmaw_marines is currently reinforcing 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s (MEB) exercise Yama Sakura 81. Hamby works in the air coordination cell where her primary function is to source aircraft to support logistics, casualty evacuation, and close air support. - U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Madison Hamby, an air support control officer with Marine Corps Air Support Squadron (MASS) 2, @1stmaw_marines is currently reinforcing 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s (MEB) exercise Yama Sakura 81. Hamby works in the air coordination cell where her primary function is to source aircraft to support logistics, casualty evacuation, and close air support. "There is a huge learning curve when it comes to this exercise," Hamby said. "It requires a higher level of thinking than usual, and you get to learn about the different joint forces and agencies involved.” Hamby, a native of Purlear, NC, has only been stationed in Okinawa for two months but has already found herself to be an important asset for Yama Sakura (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Cameron Carawan).

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. - 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.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Brendan Terrible (foreground), a radio operator, and Lance Cpl. Levii Khalfaoui McLeod, (background), a data systems administrator with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, adjust a horizontal dipole field expedient antenna while reinforcing 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade during exercise Yama Sakura 81 on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan Dec. 10, 2021. Yama Sakura 81 is the largest joint and bilateral command post exercise (CPX) co-sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and the JGSDF 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 Cpl. Brendan Terrible (foreground), a radio operator, and Lance Cpl. Levii Khalfaoui McLeod, (background), a data systems administrator with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, adjust a horizontal dipole field expedient antenna while reinforcing 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade during exercise Yama Sakura 81 on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan Dec. 10, 2021. Yama Sakura 81 is the largest joint and bilateral command post exercise (CPX) co-sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and the JGSDF 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. Marines with 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force, load into a 7-ton medium tactical vehicle during an ACM drill at Camp Courtney, 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 photo by Lance Cpl. Ujian Gosun) - U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force, load into a 7-ton medium tactical vehicle during an ACM drill at Camp Courtney, 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 photo by Lance Cpl. Ujian Gosun)

3rd MEB Marines in Okinawa Complete Rapid Mobilization Drill to Prepare for Indo-Pacific Crises - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Cory Trott, the chemical biological, radiological, and nuclear defense chief with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force, gives remarks during the 3rd MEB’s Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force Exercise on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, June, 30, 2021. The exercise consisted of rapidly mobilizing a Forward Command Element which was supplemented by scalable follow-on forces from other elements of III MEF. 3rd MEB conducted the exercise as a no-notice, integrated, rapid-response event to demonstrate ability to deploy rapidly and assist in maintaining regional stability as required. The ACMEX enhanced the MEB staff and augment’s ability to conduct command and control during a crisis or contingency response in the Indo-Pacific region. 3rd MEB is a “fight now” force, forward-deployed and forward-postured, always ready to rapidly deploy throughout the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah Marshall)

U.S. Marines, Sailors, and SOFA status civilians with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade pose for group photo during a Reboot graduation on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, June 3, 2021. Reboot Recovery is a Christian non-profit organization that holds 12-week courses to help service members overcome trauma from post-traumatic stress. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood) - U.S. Marines, Sailors, and SOFA status civilians with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade pose for group photo during a Reboot graduation on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, June 3, 2021. Reboot Recovery is a Christian non-profit organization that holds 12-week courses to help service members overcome trauma from post-traumatic stress. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood)

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. The people of the island unveiled a memorial inscribed with “Friendship Forever,” honoring the strong relationship between themselves and Okinawa Marines. - On March 7, 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. The people of the island unveiled a memorial inscribed with “Friendship Forever,” honoring the strong relationship between themselves and Okinawa Marines. Attendees included city officials and citizens who survived the disaster and worked with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit which conducted extensive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the area. The work underscored the importance of interoperability with our Japan Self-Defense Force partners in support of the Japan/US alliance. 3D MEB also responded to the disaster, working in Sendai area, and remains resilient, ready and relevant to work with our Japanese friends to respond to crisis in the future.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kevin. W. Leishman, an Anti-Terrorism force protection officer, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, stands at attention as Anchors Away is played during a Purple Heart ceremony at the base theater, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kevin. W. Leishman, an Anti-Terrorism force protection officer, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, stands at attention as Anchors Away is played during 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 rehearse distributed operations in mainland Japan, Jan. 31. - U.S. Marines rehearse distributed operations in mainland Japan, Jan. 31.