Photos

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)

Photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews

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)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla

PHILIPPINE SEA (Jan. 24, 2025) Marines aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) transport cargo from an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 24. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kenneth Melseth)

Photo by Seaman Kenneth Melseth

A U.S. Marine with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets security during a simulated bilateral raid as part of Iron Fist 25 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, March 4, 2025. The Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, worked together to clear two objectives to improve bilateral integration and strengthen cohesion between partner forces. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the JGSDF, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan)

Photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan

U.S. Marines with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, post security during a simulated patrol in support of Iron Fist 25, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 26, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members with 1st Amphibious Raid Deployment Brigade Recon Company, secure a building using close quarters techniques during a bilateral military operation on urban terrain exercise in support of Iron Fist 25, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 24, 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 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 Pfc. Skilah Sanchez)

Photo by Pfc. Skilah Sanchez

U.S Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, patrol during a simulated contact scenario at Kin Blue Beach Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2025. Marines and sailors participated in a joint operation designed to enhance cohesion and wartime capabilities. The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), comprising amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), are underway conducting routine integrated operations in U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 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 Lance Cpl. Raul SotoVilla)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla

U.S. Marines with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and soldiers with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during a static display as part of Iron Fist 25 on Okinoerabujima, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 24, 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 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)

Photo by Cpl. Angel Diaz Montes De Oca

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and soldiers with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, participate in the closing ceremony for Iron Fist 25, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, March 7, 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, the JGSDF, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. 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 Lance Cpl. Gerardo Mendez)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Gerardo Mendez

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Trevor Hall, commanding general of the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, left, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Hajime Kitajima, commander of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, address press representatives during a press conference as part of Iron Fist 25, at Kin Blue Beach Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 1, 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, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force. 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 Sgt. Tyler Andrews)

Photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews

U.S. Marines with 6th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and soldiers with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, pose for a photo during a tactical air control party training as part of Iron Fist 25, at Irisuna Island, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 27, 2025. Iron Fist is an annual exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. 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 Lance Cpl. Gerardo Mendez)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Gerardo Mendez

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, insert onto the beach during a bilateral simulated boat raid part of Iron Fist 25 at Kin Blue Beach Training Area, Okinawa, Japan on Mar. 1, 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 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)

Photo by Cpl. Angel Diaz Montes De Oca

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyson Yancey, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Combat Logisitics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to insert 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)

Photo by Cpl. Angel Diaz Montes De Oca

Japan Ground Self-Defense members with Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, 2nd Shore Underwater Obstacle Disposal Unit, prepare to advance during a simulated patrol in support of Iron Fist 25, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 26, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla

A U.S. Marine, left, with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldier, right, with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, prepare to conduct simulated integrated squad attacks at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 24, 2025. The training was conducted to strengthen cohesion between partner forces and to share tactics, techniques, and procedures during Iron Fist 25. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the JGSDF, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. 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. Alora Finigan)

Photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Quentin Kennell, a tiltrotor crew chief, MV-22, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, right, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, prepare to embark U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys assigned to VMM-262 (Rein.), during a bilateral insert exercise in support of Iron Fist 25, at JGSDF Camp Ainoura, Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan, Feb. 23, 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 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. Kennell is a native of California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews)

Photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews

A U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldier with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, set security during a bilateral urban breaching range at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 22, 2025. The exercise was conducted to strengthen cohesion between partner forces and to share tactics, techniques, and procedures during Iron Fist 25. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the JGSDF, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan)

Photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment conduct a bilateral live-fire range during Iron Fist 25, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 22, 2025. The Marines and JGSDF members trained in a tactical environment to enhance bilateral interoperability and sustain weapons skills. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. 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 LCpl. Trevor BishopWilliams)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Trevor BishopWilliams

U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy corpsmen with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observe a notional lift 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)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla

U.S. Marine Corps pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, receive a refuel in an MV-22B Osprey assigned to VMM-262 (Rein.) from a C-130H, during aerial refuel operations in support of Iron Fist 25, off the coast of Japan, Feb. 21, 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 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 Sgt. Tyler Andrews)

Photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews