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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)

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, communicate with their squad during a simulated boat raid on Recon Beach, Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 17, 2025. This training was conducted in order for the Marines to increase their profiency conducting boat raids with the newly fielded enhanced combat rubber reconnaissance craft. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Diaz Montes De Oca) - U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, communicate with their squad during a simulated boat raid on Recon Beach, Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 17, 2025. This training was conducted in order for the Marines to increase their profiency conducting boat raids with the newly fielded enhanced combat rubber reconnaissance craft. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Diaz Montes De Oca)