ABOARD USS AMERICA -- ABOARD USS AMERICA – The America Amphibious Ready Group (AMAARG) and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) hosted the commanding officers of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiments of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force from Feb. 3-6 in a demonstration of the wholesale effort to combine efforts of deterrence in the first island chain.
The commanding officers of each represented service participated in a series of briefings, discussions and planning events designed to enhance bilateral cooperation in rapid response operations. The visit marked a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between the ARG/MEU and the regiments.
"Having all three Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regimental commanders here at the same time is a clear signal from the Japanese how seriously they take their relationship with the 31st MEU and III MEF. Its clear to me, they take it as seriously as we do," said Col. Chris Niedziocha, commanding officer of the 31st MEU. "This is the first time something like this has happened. The AMAARG/ 31st MEU team is a significant portion of INDOPACOM’s ready now combat power. When we work this closely with our Japanese counterparts, we send a clear message to potential aggressors that coercive or destabilizing behavior in the region will not be tolerated.”
The visit is part of a broader effort by the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force to enhance their military cooperation and interoperability. The U.S.-Japan alliance plays a key role in the defense against potential aggressors. To support these efforts, the ARG/MEU and the regiments continue to invest in interactions aimed at areas of mission complementarity to reliably and more capably respond in tandem to a crisis. These exchanges will further strengthen the Marines’ and Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment’s ability to work together more seamlessly and maintain a robust deterrence presence in the region.
The ARG/MEU, which consists of more than 5,000 Marines and Sailors, is currently underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet's area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region.