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Marines

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U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing refuel High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems with 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division during Castaway 21.1 on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, March 17, 2021. The exercise demonstrated the Marine Corps’ ability to integrate with the joint force to seize and defend key maritime terrain, provide low-signature sustainment, and execute long-range precision fires in support of naval operations from an expeditionary advanced base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)

U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing refuel High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems with 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division during Castaway 21.1 on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, March 17, 2021. The exercise demonstrated the Marine Corps’ ability to integrate with the joint force to seize and defend key maritime terrain, provide low-signature sustainment, and execute long-range precision fires in support of naval operations from an expeditionary advanced base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon

U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division conduct a military freefall infiltration during Castaway 21.1 on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, March 9, 2021. The exercise demonstrated the Marine Corps’ ability to integrate with the joint force to seize and defend key maritime terrain, provide low-signature sustainment, and execute long-range precision fires in support of naval operations from an expeditionary advanced base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)

U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division conduct a military freefall infiltration during Castaway 21.1 on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, March 9, 2021. The exercise demonstrated the Marine Corps’ ability to integrate with the joint force to seize and defend key maritime terrain, provide low-signature sustainment, and execute long-range precision fires in support of naval operations from an expeditionary advanced base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon

U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division conduct a military freefall infiltration during Castaway 21.1 on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, March 9, 2021. The exercise demonstrated the Marine Corps’ ability to integrate with the joint force to seize and defend key maritime terrain, provide low-signature sustainment, and execute long-range precision fires in support of naval operations from an expeditionary advanced base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)

U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division conduct a military freefall infiltration during Castaway 21.1 on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, March 9, 2021. The exercise demonstrated the Marine Corps’ ability to integrate with the joint force to seize and defend key maritime terrain, provide low-signature sustainment, and execute long-range precision fires in support of naval operations from an expeditionary advanced base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andrew Gourgoumis, outgoing commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, passes the unit organizational colors to Lt. Col. Adam Sacchetti, incoming commanding officer, during their change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 22, 2021. The moment is a tradition that represents the formal transfer of command from one commanding officer to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob Wilson)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andrew Gourgoumis, outgoing commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, passes the unit organizational colors to Lt. Col. Adam Sacchetti, incoming commanding officer, during their change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 22, 2021. The moment is a tradition that represents the formal transfer of command from one commanding officer to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob Wilson)

Photo by Cpl. Jacob Wilson

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, retire the guidon during a deactivation ceremony for Weapons Company on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 22, 2021. 1st Battalion, 3d Marines held the ceremony to commemorate the history of Weapons Company, which had been active since 1942. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob Wilson)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, retire the guidon during a deactivation ceremony for Weapons Company on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 22, 2021. 1st Battalion, 3d Marines held the ceremony to commemorate the history of Weapons Company, which had been active since 1942. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob Wilson)

Photo by Cpl. Jacob Wilson

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Samuel Smith, with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division, takes the final practical application exam during Tactical Combat Casualty Care training at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 20, 2021. TCCC training reinforces Marines and Sailors’ ability to provide lifesaving care and to limit the risk of casualties on the battlefield.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Samuel Smith, with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division, takes the final practical application exam during Tactical Combat Casualty Care training at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 20, 2021. TCCC training reinforces Marines and Sailors’ ability to provide lifesaving care and to limit the risk of casualties on the battlefield.

Photo by LCpl. Juan Carpanzano

Caption

Caption

Photo by Cpl. Estillomo

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and troops from the 30th Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, practice fighting techniques during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, on Dec. 9, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Albert J. Carls)

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and troops from the 30th Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, practice fighting techniques during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, on Dec. 9, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Albert J. Carls)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Albert Carls

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and troops from the 30th Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force examine each other’s anti-material weaponry during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan on Dec. 11, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. 3/8 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and troops from the 30th Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force examine each other’s anti-material weaponry during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan on Dec. 11, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. 3/8 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon

GySgt. Edward Mullin, an intelligence chief with 3d Battalion, 8th Marines, demonstrates the use of an aerial ISR platform during a drone tactics exchange as part of exercise Forest Light 21 in the Niigata Prefecture, Japan, on Dec. 11, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. 3/8 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Willcox)

GySgt. Edward Mullin, an intelligence chief with 3d Battalion, 8th Marines, demonstrates the use of an aerial ISR platform during a drone tactics exchange as part of exercise Forest Light 21 in the Niigata Prefecture, Japan, on Dec. 11, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. 3/8 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Willcox)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Willcox

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fast rope out of an U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army at Camp Soumagahara, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, Dec. 8, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Branden J. Bourque)

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fast rope out of an U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army at Camp Soumagahara, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, Dec. 8, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Branden J. Bourque)

Photo by Sgt. Branden Bourque

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and troops from the 30th Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct crew-served weapons training during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, on Dec. 13, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Albert J. Carls)

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and troops from the 30th Infantry Regiment, 12th Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct crew-served weapons training during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, on Dec. 13, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Albert J. Carls)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Albert Carls

Japan Ground-Self Defense Force infantrymen with the 30th Infantry Regiment and U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 8th Marines occupy an integrated joint defensive position against a simulated enemy attack as part of exercise Forest Light in mainland Japan, on Dec. 11, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. 3/8 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Nicholas Royer)

Japan Ground-Self Defense Force infantrymen with the 30th Infantry Regiment and U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 8th Marines occupy an integrated joint defensive position against a simulated enemy attack as part of exercise Forest Light in mainland Japan, on Dec. 11, 2020. Forest Light is an annual bilateral training exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to deter aggression and defeat any threat. This iteration is focused on seizing and defending key maritime terrain as an integrated force in support of naval operations in the defense of Japan. 3/8 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Nicholas Royer)

Photo by Capt. Nicholas Royer

A crew chief with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines conduct an air assault during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, Dec. 15.

A crew chief with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marines conduct an air assault during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, Dec. 15.

Photo by Cpl. Levi Guerra

U.S. Marines conduct a combat patrol during exercise Forest Light in Japan, Dec. 16.

U.S. Marines conduct a combat patrol during exercise Forest Light in Japan, Dec. 16.

Photo by Capt. Nicholas Royer

U.S. Marines conduct fast roping during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, Dec. 10.

U.S. Marines conduct fast roping during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, Dec. 10.

Photo by Cpl. Levi Guerra

Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Dakota Ford aims at a target in Japan, Dec. 16, 2020, during Forest Light, an annual bilateral exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of U.S. and Japanese troops.

Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Dakota Ford aims at a target in Japan, Dec. 16, 2020, during Forest Light, an annual bilateral exercise that strengthens the interoperability and readiness of U.S. and Japanese troops.

Photo by Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon

A U.S. Marine participates in a live fire range during exercise Forest Light 21 in the Niigata Prefecture, Japan, Dec. 8.

A U.S. Marine participates in a live fire range during exercise Forest Light 21 in the Niigata Prefecture, Japan, Dec. 8.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Aubuchon

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller from 5th Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company embedded with Japan’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade as U.S. Marines teamed up with the ARDB to conduct an amphibious assault on Gaja-Jima, a small uninhabited island off the coast of mainland Japan, as part of Keen Sword, Nov. 1, 2020. Japan Self-Defense Force CH-47JA Chinooks touched down delivering streams of ARDB troops while U.S. Marines hit the beach via small boats briskly navigating over the horizon from the USS Ashland. ARDB members took point alongside Marines with 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment arriving from the air and sea in the amphibious operation. This mission showcased a combined ability to seize territory threatened by an adversary, defend key maritime terrain, and establish expeditionary advanced bases for follow-on operations through swift, integrated, and lethal action. (JSDF Courtesy Photo).

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller from 5th Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company embedded with Japan’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade as U.S. Marines teamed up with the ARDB to conduct an amphibious assault on Gaja-Jima, a small uninhabited island off the coast of mainland Japan, as part of Keen Sword, Nov. 1, 2020. Japan Self-Defense Force CH-47JA Chinooks touched down delivering streams of ARDB troops while U.S. Marines hit the beach via small boats briskly navigating over the horizon from the USS Ashland. ARDB members took point alongside Marines with 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment arriving from the air and sea in the amphibious operation. This mission showcased a combined ability to seize territory threatened by an adversary, defend key maritime terrain, and establish expeditionary advanced bases for follow-on operations through swift, integrated, and lethal action. (JSDF Courtesy Photo).

Photo by Courtesy Photo

U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, conduct a simulated High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fire mission while demonstrating expeditionary advanced basing capabilities Oct. 7 to 8, 2020, as part of Exercise Noble Fury, from Okinawa to Ie Shima and across surrounding waters. The Marines rapidly inserted via an air assault, defeated simulated adversary forces, secured the airfield, and established defensive positions around the island to enable follow-on operations in support of the navy including a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration mission under the cover of darkness. This exercise showcased survivability and lethality of the Navy and Marine Corps while operating in a distributed maritime environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Josue Marquez)

U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, conduct a simulated High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fire mission while demonstrating expeditionary advanced basing capabilities Oct. 7 to 8, 2020, as part of Exercise Noble Fury, from Okinawa to Ie Shima and across surrounding waters. The Marines rapidly inserted via an air assault, defeated simulated adversary forces, secured the airfield, and established defensive positions around the island to enable follow-on operations in support of the navy including a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration mission under the cover of darkness. This exercise showcased survivability and lethality of the Navy and Marine Corps while operating in a distributed maritime environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Josue Marquez)

Photo by Cpl. Josue Marquez

3rd Marine Division