3d Marine Division

U.S. Marines assigned to 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, fire a M777A2 155mm Howitzer during Artillery Relocation Training Program 20.4 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Feb. 4, 2021. ARTP is an exercise held to strengthen the defense of Japan and the U.S.-Japan Alliance as the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The skills developed at ARTP increase the lethality and proficiency of the only permanently forward-deployed artillery unit in the Marine Corps, enabling them to provide precision indirect fires. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon) Click here for more photos

U.S. Marines with Kilo Company, 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, conduct joint exercise Littoral Strike, the culminating event for Fuji Viper 21.2 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Jan. 21-22, 2021. The exercise strengthened interoperability and challenged infantry formations, demonstrating that Marines can facilitate joint force multi-domain maneuver in support of naval operations. 3/8 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Levi J. Guerra) Click here to watch the full video

3d Marine Division Marines Conduct Pre-Sniper Course

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Zachary Card, Bravo Company Communications Chief with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division, fires a MK13 Mod 7 Sniper Rifle during a pre-sniper qualification course at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 28, 2021. The course, a prerequisite to the Scout Sniper Basic Course, is designed to prepare and evaluate Marines in basic sniper fundamentals. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan Carpanzano) Click here for more photos

3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment concludes Fuji Viper 21.2

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Sean Goode, an infantry unit leader with 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, observes a training area at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan on Jan. 22, 2021 Marines honed their tactical skills during Joint Exercise Littoral Strike, the culminating event for Fuji Viper 21.2. The exercise strengthened interoperability and challenged infantry formations, demonstrating that marines can facilitate joint force multi-domain maneuver in support of naval operations. 3/8 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. Goode is a native of Rural Hall, North Carolina. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Savannah Mesimer) Click here for more photos

A UH-60 Black Hawk transports Marines with 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, on Jan. 22, 2021. Marines extracted via Blackhawks during Joint Exercise Littoral Strike, the culminating event for Fuji Viper 21.2. The exercise strengthened interoperability and challenged infantry formations, demonstrating that marines can facilitate joint force multi-domain maneuver in support of naval operations. 3/8 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis Moradian) Click here for more photos

Mission

On order, 3d Marine Division conducts amphibious, forcible entry operations or sustained, combined arms land operations with strategic partners and allies, as an integral part of III MEF within the Pacific Theater Area of Operations (AO) in support of national security objectives.

UNITS

Caltrap News

How to save a life: Marines learn casualty care By Lance Cpl. Jackson Dukes | February 1, 2021 Using a true-to-life mannequin that mimics a casualty in pain, complete with screams and fake blood, Marines with 3d Marine Division trained to save lives during a Level II Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) certification course on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. MORE

Seizing and defending islands: U.S. Marines, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force strengthen integrated capabilities during exercise Forest Light By Capt. Nicholas Royer | December 18, 2020 NIIGATA PREFECTURE, Japan – With MV-22 Ospreys and CH-47 aircraft operating overhead, U.S. Marines and Japanese soldiers manned machine guns, managed interlinked sensor screens, and provided targeting information for long-range fires assets in preparation to defend against an amphibious assault and enable a fast-hitting counterattack into enemy-held territory. MORE

Fast, fluid, together: Japan, U.S. Marines exercise amphibious capabilities during Keen Sword 21 By Courtesy Story | November 4, 2020 OKINAWA, Japan – In the early hours of Nov. 1, 2020, the silence is broken by the sound of an amphibious assault featuring Japan Self-Defense Force CH-47JA Chinooks touching down and delivering streams of Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade troops while U.S. Marines hit the beach via small boats briskly navigating over the horizon from the USS Ashland to Gaja-Jima. As they disappear in fast-moving columns into the foliage of the small uninhabited island off the coast of Japan, their counterparts to the south are already preparing missile launchers and coordinating fire support against enemy targets on land and sea. MORE

Expeditionary advanced basing capabilities on display during Exercise Noble Fury By Courtesy Story | October 11, 2020 OKINAWA, Japan – Marines and Sailors with 3d Marine Division and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing showcased expeditionary advanced basing capabilities Oct. 7 to 8, 2020 as part of Exercise Noble Fury 21, from Okinawa to Ie Shima and across surrounding waters. MORE

3d Marine Division Leaders