3d Marine Division

3d Marine Division

The Fighting Third

Okinawa, Japan

Marines_MediaGallery

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Timothy Hoff discusses an assault amphibious vehicle operation plan with Philippine Marines in preparation for an AAV launch during an AAV subject matter expert exchange in Subic Bay, Philippines, Aug 30. 2019. The U.S. Marine Corps has worked with the Philippine Marine Corps for the last eight years to develop concepts and doctrine that will enable the Philippine Navy-Marine team to conduct amphibious operations. This event is a milestone in these efforts and the start of a greater opportunity for the U.S. and Philippine forces to increase interoperability and share an amphibious capability in the Indo-Pacific region. Hoff is a section leader with AAV Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, and is a native of Waldorf, Md. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Hancock)

Philippine Marine Corps 1st Lt. Marever Taghap sits in the turret of an assault amphibious vehicle that is being driven by U.S. Marines during an AAV subject matter expert exchange in Subic Bay, Philippines, Sept. 1, 2019. The U.S. Marine Corps has partnered with the Philippine Marine Corps for the last eight years to develop skill sets and policies to enable the Philippine Navy and Marine Corps to conduct amphibious operations. This SMEE was a milestone in these efforts, marking the first time that Philippine forces launched their AAVs from a Philippine Navy amphibious ship and transited from ship to shore. The U.S. Marines are from AAV Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Jacob Hancock)

U.S. Marines pose with Philippine Marines for a celebratory end-of-training photo aboard the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) during an assault amphibious vehicle subject matter expert exchange in Subic Bay, Philippines, Sept. 4, 2019. The U.S. Marine Corps has partnered with the Philippine Marine Corps for the last eight years to develop skill sets and policies to enable the Philippine Navy and Marine Corps to conduct amphibious operations. This SMEE was a milestone in these efforts, marking the first time that Philippine forces launched their AAVs from a Philippine Navy amphibious ship and transited from ship to shore. The U.S. Marines are from AAV Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Jacob Hancock)

Philippine and U.S. Marines drive a Philippine assault amphibious vehicle onto the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) during an AAV subject matter expert exchange in Subic Bay, Philippines, Aug. 31, 2019. The U.S. Marine Corps has partnered with the Philippine Marine Corps for the last eight years to develop skill sets and policies to enable the Philippine Navy and Marine Corps to conduct amphibious operations. This SMEE was a milestone in these efforts, marking the first time that Philippine forces launched their AAVs from a Philippine Navy amphibious ship and transited from ship to shore. The U.S. Marines are from AAV Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Jacob Hancock)

Philippine and U.S. Marines drive a Philippine assault amphibious vehicle onto the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) during an AAV subject matter expert exchange in Subic Bay, Philippines, Aug. 31, 2019. The U.S. Marine Corps has partnered with the Philippine Marine Corps for the last eight years to develop skill sets and policies to enable the Philippine Navy and Marine Corps to conduct amphibious operations. This SMEE was a milestone in these efforts, marking the first time that Philippine forces launched their AAVs from a Philippine Navy amphibious ship and transited from ship to shore. The U.S. Marines are from AAV Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Jacob Hancock)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Thomas Pelham and Sgt. Timothy Hoff inspect the tracks of an assault amphibious vehicle with Philippine Marines during an AAV subject matter expert exchange in Subic Bay, Philippines, Aug. 30, 2019. The U.S. Marine Corps has partnered with the Philippine Marine Corps for the last eight years to develop skill sets and policies to enable the Philippine Navy and Marine Corps to conduct amphibious operations. This SMEE was a milestone in these efforts, marking the first time that Philippine forces launched their AAVs from a Philippine Navy amphibious ship and transited from ship to shore. Pelham and Hoff are a mechanic and section leader, respectively, with AAV Company, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division and are natives of Reno, Nev., and Waldorf, Md., respectively. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Jacob Hancock)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, participate in the Central Training Area High Mobility Artillery Rocket System field training exercise, known as CTA HIMARS, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, from Aug. 15-30, 2019. The integration of HIMARS during this FTX helps refine tactics, techniques and procedures to enhance the Marine Corps’ readiness within the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ujian Gosun)

SgtMaj Jose H. Molina.

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment conduct MOUT training with Indonesian Marines during the Korps Marinir (KORMAR) Platoon Exchange 2019 program in Surabaya, Indonesia, August 9, 2019. The KORMAR platoon exchange program between Indonesia and the U.S. involves each country sending a platoon of Marines to live and train together at the other's military base. This program enhances the capability of both services and displays their continued commitment to share information and increase the ability to respond to crisis together. (U.S. Marine corps photo by Cpl. Eric Tso)

Newly appointed sergeant major of 4th Marine Regiment, Sgt. Maj. Luis M. Leiva, gives remarks, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 16, 2019. During the ceremony, Leiva transferred leadership to Sgt. Maj. Jose H. Molina, who was selected as the new 4th Marine Regiment sergeant major. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. D’Angelo Yanez)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, fire a M777 Howitzer during The Artillery Relocation Training Program in Ojojihara, Japan, July 25, 2019. ARTP provides 12th Marine Regiment with essential, live-fire training outside Okinawa to increase combat readiness and support the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christine Phelps)

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, a part of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D), fire Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions during Southern Reach, at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia on August 15, 2019. GMLRS provide pinpoint accuracy and deliver 200 pounds of high explosives directly on a target. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon Salas)

A landing craft, utility assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20), lowers its ramp to unload a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, as part of a simulated amphibious raid, at Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 14, 2019. This simulated amphibious raid marks the first time that HIMARS have been inserted by landing craft, utility, demonstrating the Marine Air-Ground Task Force’s ability to conduct combined-arms maneuver from amphibious shipping. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Sechser)

U.S. Marine Cpl. Pablo Villegas, a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System operator with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, poses for a photo in front of a HIMARS launcher during a simulated amphibious raid, at Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 14, 2019. “This [training] helps showcase our unit’s mobility and the mobility of the HIMARS in the Indo-Pacific.” said Villegas. This simulated amphibious raid marks the first time that HIMARS have been inserted by landing craft, utility, demonstrating the Marine Air-Ground Task Force’s ability to conduct combined-arms maneuver from amphibious shipping. Villegas is a native of Oceanside, Calif. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Sechser)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, and Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, prepare to fire an M777 Howitzer during the Artillery Relocation Training Program in Ojojihara, Japan, July 30, 2019. ARTP is an exercise in Japan that provides artillery Marines an opportunity to train and enhance their capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christine Phelps)

MTX 4-19

MTX 4-19

MTX 4-19

U.S. Marines assess a terrain map during a simulated amphibious assault of exercise Talisman Sabre 19 in Bowen, Australia, July 22, 2019. Talisman Sabre provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined, joint and interagency environment that will increase participating countries' abilities to plan and execute contingency responses, from combat missions to humanitarian assistance efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tanner D. Lambert)

The Fllight Deck Officer watches on as a United States Marines MV-22B Osprey conducts landings on HMAS Canberra during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019. Talisman Sabre 2019 is a bilateral combined Australian and United States training activity.

TS19 is designed to practice our respective military services and associated agencies in planning and conducting Combined and Joint Task Force operations, and improve the combat readiness and interoperability between Australian and US forces.

TS19 will be the eighth iteration of the exercise and consists of a Field Training Exercise incorporating force preparation (logistic) activities, amphibious landings, land force manoeuvre, urban operations, air operations, maritime operations and Special Forces activities.

(Photo by Richard Cardell)