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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Riley Wharton, a logistics specialist with Combat Logistic Company Bravo, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, center, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, prepare to attach a sling during an external lift exercise in support of Iron Fist 25, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 22, 2025. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. Wharton is a native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Riley Wharton, a logistics specialist with Combat Logistic Company Bravo, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, center, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, prepare to attach a sling during an external lift exercise in support of Iron Fist 25, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 22, 2025. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. Wharton is a native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla)

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct a brief aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during a recent visit as LHA 6 conducts routine operations in the Philippine Sea, Japan, Feb. 3, 2025. The visit was part of a broader effort by the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, JGSDF 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 Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit and the ARDR 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 ARDR’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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews) - Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct a brief aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during a recent visit as LHA 6 conducts routine operations in the Philippine Sea, Japan, Feb. 3, 2025. The visit was part of a broader effort by the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, JGSDF 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 Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit and the ARDR 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 ARDR’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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Soldiers with the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 11, 2024. CLB-31 hosted the ARDB to foster mutual understanding and improving interoperability between the two forces by sharing a wide range of capabilities and practices. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Soldiers with the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 11, 2024. CLB-31 hosted the ARDB to foster mutual understanding and improving interoperability between the two forces by sharing a wide range of capabilities and practices. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado)

Rep. Itsunori Onodera of Miyagi Prefecture, senior vice minister of foreign affairs (left), shakes hands with Col. Andrew R. MacMannis, commanding officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and thanked him for the relief efforts by the 31st MEU during a visit of III Marine Expeditionary Force leadership here Jan. 12. The visit was conducted to review community recovery progress since Operation Tomodachi and to discuss potential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities to better prepare for future support requirements. During the visit, members of the 31st MEU were able to revisit the areas where they helped in recovery efforts ten months earlier. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward deployed MEU, and remains America’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Rep. Itsunori Onodera of Miyagi Prefecture, senior vice minister of foreign affairs (left), shakes hands with Col. Andrew R. MacMannis, commanding officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and thanked him for the relief efforts by the 31st MEU during a visit of III Marine Expeditionary Force leadership here Jan. 12. The visit was conducted to review community recovery progress since Operation Tomodachi and to discuss potential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities to better prepare for future support requirements. During the visit, members of the 31st MEU were able to revisit the areas where they helped in recovery efforts ten months earlier. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward deployed MEU, and remains America’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.