Stories

U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members conduct the opening ceremony of Exercise Yama Sakura 79 on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 8, 2020. - U.S. Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members conduct the opening ceremony of Exercise Yama Sakura 79 on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 8, 2020. Yama Sakura 79 allows Marines, and their Japanese counterparts to maintain their interoperability, and readiness to respond to any crisis or contingency in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Micha Pierce)

U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Kyle B. Ellison, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade gives his commanders intent during a rehearsal of concept drill for Exercise Yama Sakura 79 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 5, 2020. - U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Kyle B. Ellison, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade gives his commanders intent during a rehearsal of concept drill for Exercise Yama Sakura 79 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 5, 2020. Exercise Yama Sakura 79 provides opportunity for U.S. Marines and the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to conduct bilateral training and to share practices, techniques, and experience. The exercise shows the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance, as well as to promote regional security in the Indo-Pacific Region. The U.S. and Japan are committed to executing bilateral exercises like YS 79 while safeguarding the local public and maintaining readiness at all times despite the pandemic. The 3D MEB is a resilient, ready and relevant force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Hannah Hall)

U.S Marine Corps Capt. Keith B. Elliot, the deputy G-1 with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, reads Gen. John A. Lejeune’s message during the 245th Marine Corps birthday ceremony at the Bayview Club, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 13, 2020. Marines throughout the world celebrate the Marine Corps birthday in November. During the ceremony, a piece of cake is passed from the oldest Marine to the youngest Marine, which signifies the passing of knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood) - U.S Marine Corps Capt. Keith B. Elliot, the deputy G-1 with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, reads Gen. John A. Lejeune’s message during the 245th Marine Corps birthday ceremony at the Bayview Club, Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 13, 2020. Marines throughout the world celebrate the Marine Corps birthday in November. During the ceremony, a piece of cake is passed from the oldest Marine to the youngest Marine, which signifies the passing of knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood)

U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade board an MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, during a flyaway drill on the flight line of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 18, 2020. The MEB continues to conduct essential, realistic training while adhering to strict COVID-19 safety protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and are prepared to deploy in support of our allies and partners throughout the region. 3d MEB is structured to rapidly respond to crisis around the globe immediately, effectively, and efficiently, whether they are humanitarian or combat-related. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall) - U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade board an MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, during a flyaway drill on the flight line of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 18, 2020. The MEB continues to conduct essential, realistic training while adhering to strict COVID-19 safety protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and are prepared to deploy in support of our allies and partners throughout the region. 3d MEB is structured to rapidly respond to crisis around the globe immediately, effectively, and efficiently, whether they are humanitarian or combat-related. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall)

Maj. Gen. Paul J. Rock, left, outgoing commanding general of 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and Brig. Gen. Kyle B. Ellison, right, incoming commanding general of 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, participate in a change of command ceremony at Camp Courtney, July 10, 2020. The ceremony represents the transfer of authority, responsibility, and accountability from the out-going commanding general to the incoming commanding general. — at Camp Courtney. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall) - Maj. Gen. Paul J. Rock, left, outgoing commanding general of 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and Brig. Gen. Kyle B. Ellison, right, incoming commanding general of 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, participate in a change of command ceremony at Camp Courtney, July 10, 2020. The ceremony represents the transfer of authority, responsibility, and accountability from the out-going commanding general to the incoming commanding general. — at Camp Courtney. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall)

3D MEB, ARDB conduct exercise Yama Sakura 77 - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Joseph McAlarnen, right, with 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and Capt. Atsushi Kawabata, left, with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, brief during a Rehearsal of Concept drill, which simulates various courses of action with U.S. forces and Japanese member during Exercise Yama Sakura 77 on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 7, 2019. Participants included Marines from 3D MEB, Soldiers from U.S. Army I Corps and 40th Infantry Division, and members from the ARDB. Yama Sakura is a JGSDF and U.S. Army-led, bilateral Command Post Exercise that strengthens military operations, readiness, trust, and friendship between U.S. forces and the JGSDF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jordan E. Gilbert)

U.S. Marine Capt. Ryan Hawley coordinates air support missions with Maj. Higaharu Kobayashi during Yama Sakura 75 on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 13, 2018. Yama Sakura focuses on the development and refinement of Japan Self-Defense Force and U.S. military bilateral efforts in the areas of coordination, interoperability, and planning through training. Hawley is a firepower controller with 2nd Brigade platoon, 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company. Kobayashi is an air force coordinator with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Air Defense Command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Timothy Valero) - Photo

U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines conduct an amphibious landing during KAMANDAG 2 in Naval Education Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2018. KAMANDAG helps maintain a high level of readiness and enhances bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities. (U.S. Marine corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christine Phelps) - U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines conduct an amphibious landing during KAMANDAG 2 in Naval Education Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2018. KAMANDAG helps maintain a high level of readiness and enhances bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities. (U.S. Marine corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christine Phelps)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Mark Hanford and Sgt. Nicholas Elston, U.S. Navy Lt. Maundo Lee and Brian Bonzo, and Philippine Marine Corps Capt. Rodilson Malic, pose for a photo with Philippine local, Bryan S. Rodriguez, who they assisted after a motorcycle crash in Ternate, Cavite, Philippines, Oct. 2, 2018. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Mark Hanford and Sgt. Nicholas Elston, U.S. Navy Lt. Maundo Lee and Brian Bonzo, and Philippine Marine Corps Capt. Rodilson Malic, pose for a photo with Philippine local, Bryan S. Rodriguez, who they assisted after a motorcycle crash in Ternate, Cavite, Philippines, Oct. 2, 2018.

Marines with the Joint Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, board a KC-130J Hercules aircraft on Kadena Air Force Base, Sept. 27, 2018. The JHAST conducts a fly-away as a part of the final drill for the Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Marines with the JHAST will deploy to the Philippines to support exercise KAMANDAG 2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tanner Lambert) - Marines with the Joint Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, board a KC-130J Hercules aircraft on Kadena Air Force Base, Sept. 27, 2018. The JHAST conducts a fly-away as a part of the final drill for the Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Marines with the JHAST will deploy to the Philippines to support exercise KAMANDAG 2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tanner Lambert)