Stories

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)

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)

Philippine, Japanese, and U.S. service members prepare for the opening ceremony of KAMANDAG 2 in Subic Bay, Philippines, Oct. 1, 2018. The U.S. is proud to participate in this Philippines-led exercise in order to conduct capabilities development training that enhances our forces' tactics, techniques and procedures across a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mackenzie Carter) - Philippine, Japanese, and U.S. service members prepare for the opening ceremony of KAMANDAG 2 in Subic Bay, Philippines, Oct. 1, 2018. The U.S. is proud to participate in this Philippines-led exercise in order to conduct capabilities development training that enhances our forces' tactics, techniques and procedures across a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mackenzie Carter)

Brigadier General Christopher A. McPhillips, Commanding General, 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and Major General Shinichi Aoki, Deputy Chief of Staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Western Army, stand side by side at Camp Cortney, Okinawa, Japan, December 5, 2017. - Brigadier General Christopher A. McPhillips, Commanding General, 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and Major General Shinichi Aoki, Deputy Chief of Staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Western Army, stand side by side at Camp Cortney, Okinawa, Japan, December 5, 2017. The purpose of the exercise is to enhance U.S. and Japanese combat readiness and interoperability while strengthening bilateral relationships and demonstrating U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. 3D MEB and JGSDF participation in YS 73 in Okinawa is in support of the U.S. Army Pacific and JGSDF North Eastern Army main effort at Camp Sendai, Sendai, Japan. During the exercise, U.S. military members and JGSDF members exchange ideas, tactics, techniques, military experiences and culture.

U.S. Marines with Amphibious Assault Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, embark Assault Amphibious Vehicles onto the Philippine Navy’s BRP Tarlac (LD 601) during exercise KAMANDAG, Subic Bay, Philippines, October 2, 2017. Bilateral exercises such as KAMANDAG increase the ability of the United States and the Philippines to rapidly respond and work together during real world terrorist and humanitarian crises, in order to accomplish the mission, support the local population and help mitigate human suffering. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caleb T. Maher - U.S. Marines with Amphibious Assault Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, embark Assault Amphibious Vehicles onto the Philippine Navy’s BRP Tarlac (LD 601) during exercise KAMANDAG, Subic Bay, Philippines, October 2, 2017. Bilateral exercises such as KAMANDAG increase the ability of the United States and the Philippines to rapidly respond and work together during real world terrorist and humanitarian crises, in order to accomplish the mission, support the local population and help mitigate human suffering. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caleb T. Maher