Stories

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.

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)

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. 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)