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U.S. Marine Corps Col. Chris Niedziocha, the incoming commanding officer of 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, left, receives the colors from Col. Matthew Danner, the outgoing commanding officer of 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a change of command ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 20, 2024. The passing of the colors represents the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability of the unit. 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. Osmar Gutierrez)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Chris Niedziocha, the incoming commanding officer of 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, left, receives the colors from Col. Matthew Danner, the outgoing commanding officer of 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a change of command ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 20, 2024. The passing of the colors represents the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability of the unit. 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. Osmar Gutierrez)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Osmar Gutierrez

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Danner, left, the commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japan Ground Self Defense Force Col. Hajime Tsuji, the commanding officer of the 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, shake hands during the opening ceremony of Iron Fist 24, on Camp Ainoura, Sasebo, Japan, Feb. 25, 2024. The opening ceremony initiated training between the two armed 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 Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Peter J. Eilen)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Danner, left, the commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japan Ground Self Defense Force Col. Hajime Tsuji, the commanding officer of the 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, shake hands during the opening ceremony of Iron Fist 24, on Camp Ainoura, Sasebo, Japan, Feb. 25, 2024. The opening ceremony initiated training between the two armed 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 Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Peter J. Eilen)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Peter Eilen

U.S. Marine Corps pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit fly an MV-22B Osprey to a landing zone during a forward arming and refueling point exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 12, 2023. A FARP is used to extend the capabilities of rotary or fixed wing aircrafts to allow rearming and refueling without having to fall back to a forward operating base. 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 premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elijah Murphy)

U.S. Marine Corps pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit fly an MV-22B Osprey to a landing zone during a forward arming and refueling point exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 12, 2023. A FARP is used to extend the capabilities of rotary or fixed wing aircrafts to allow rearming and refueling without having to fall back to a forward operating base. 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 premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elijah Murphy)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Elijah Murphy

A U.S. Marine with the maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts barricade drills at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 12, 2023. The drills honed Marines’ skills to shoot from multiple positions while behind cover. 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 premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)

A U.S. Marine with the maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts barricade drills at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 12, 2023. The drills honed Marines’ skills to shoot from multiple positions while behind cover. 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 premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado

U.S. Marines with Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to board a combat rubber raiding craft at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan April 4, 2023. The Marines conducted a diving exercise to train with diver propulsion devices as well as refine their tactical diving skills. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a ready and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Marcos A. Alvarado)

U.S. Marines with Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to board a combat rubber raiding craft at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan April 4, 2023. The Marines conducted a diving exercise to train with diver propulsion devices as well as refine their tactical diving skills. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a ready and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Marcos A. Alvarado)

Photo by Sgt. Marcos A. Alvarado

A U.S. Marine with the maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M40A6 sniper rifle during live-fire exercise on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, April 10, 2023. The training improved the Marines’ proficiency at the tactical level and developed critical marksmanship skills. 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 premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abigail Godinez)

A U.S. Marine with the maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M40A6 sniper rifle during live-fire exercise on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, April 10, 2023. The training improved the Marines’ proficiency at the tactical level and developed critical marksmanship skills. 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 premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abigail Godinez)

Photo by Cpl. Abigail Godinez

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in an obstacle course during a Martial Arts Instructor course. The MAI course is designed to develop a Marine’s understanding of combative techniques while enduring both mental and physical stressors to establish a warrior's ethos. 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 premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in an obstacle course during a Martial Arts Instructor course. The MAI course is designed to develop a Marine’s understanding of combative techniques while enduring both mental and physical stressors to establish a warrior's ethos. 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 premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado

U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct live-fire shooting drills at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 30 2023. The drills were held to hone Marines’ skills in close quarters combat while testing Marines marksmanship. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a ready and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William N. Wallace)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct live-fire shooting drills at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 30 2023. The drills were held to hone Marines’ skills in close quarters combat while testing Marines marksmanship. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a ready and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William N. Wallace)

Photo by Lance Cpl. William N. Wallace

U.S. Navy corpsmen with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, asses the injuries of a simulated casualty during a bilateral casualty evacuation exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, on March 10, 2023. The training enabled the bilateral medical team to practice in-route care and shock trauma field training during Iron Fist 23. 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 Lance Cpl. Bridgette Rodriguez)

U.S. Navy corpsmen with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, asses the injuries of a simulated casualty during a bilateral casualty evacuation exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, on March 10, 2023. The training enabled the bilateral medical team to practice in-route care and shock trauma field training during Iron Fist 23. 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 Lance Cpl. Bridgette Rodriguez)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Bridgette Rodriguez

The U.S. Navy’s amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD-20) with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, right, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s tank landing ship JS Osumi (LST-4001), center, move in formation behind the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) during Iron Fist 23 in the Philippine Sea Mar. 1, 2023. Iron Fist 23 provided an opportunity for ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group and the JMSDF to work together in coordinating large scale ship operations. 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-Defense Force, and the JMSDF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William N. Wallace)

The U.S. Navy’s amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD-20) with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, right, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s tank landing ship JS Osumi (LST-4001), center, move in formation behind the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) during Iron Fist 23 in the Philippine Sea Mar. 1, 2023. Iron Fist 23 provided an opportunity for ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group and the JMSDF to work together in coordinating large scale ship operations. 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-Defense Force, and the JMSDF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William N. Wallace)

Photo by Lance Cpl. William Wallace

OKINAWA, JAPAN (Mar. 12, 2023) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Sailors assigned the forward deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), and members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during the closing ceremony for Exercise Iron Fist aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force landing ship tank JS Osumi (LST-4001) while moored in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 12. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strength the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet 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 in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shelby M. Tucker)

OKINAWA, JAPAN (Mar. 12, 2023) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Sailors assigned the forward deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), and members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during the closing ceremony for Exercise Iron Fist aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force landing ship tank JS Osumi (LST-4001) while moored in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 12. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strength the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet 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 in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shelby M. Tucker)

Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Shelby T

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Mathew Kearney (left), chief instructor at the Jungle Warfare Training Center (JWTC), 1st Lt. Sargon II Bebla (center), platoon commander, and Staff Sgt. Brian Giera (right), platoon sergeant, with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), observe stalking lanes at the JWTC in Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 8, 2022. Scout snipers play an integral part in the Stand in Force Concept operating as the eyes and ears of the ground force commander, allowing for a more efficient decision making process. 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. Christopher W. England)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Mathew Kearney (left), chief instructor at the Jungle Warfare Training Center (JWTC), 1st Lt. Sargon II Bebla (center), platoon commander, and Staff Sgt. Brian Giera (right), platoon sergeant, with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), observe stalking lanes at the JWTC in Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 8, 2022. Scout snipers play an integral part in the Stand in Force Concept operating as the eyes and ears of the ground force commander, allowing for a more efficient decision making process. 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. Christopher W. England)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher England

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31 (CLB), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japanese soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment conduct a convoy with a Marine Corps joint light tactical vehicle and two medium tactical vehicle replacement trucks, and a Japanese Toyota Type 73 medium truck and two Type 73 Kogata light utility vehicles for a company-level training exercise on Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Mar. 17, 2022. CLB-31 conducted convoy maneuvers to sustain maritime readiness and to integrate Japanese forces in training for Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (MDX-ARDB). MDX-ARDB is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Grace Gerlach)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31 (CLB), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japanese soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment conduct a convoy with a Marine Corps joint light tactical vehicle and two medium tactical vehicle replacement trucks, and a Japanese Toyota Type 73 medium truck and two Type 73 Kogata light utility vehicles for a company-level training exercise on Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Mar. 17, 2022. CLB-31 conducted convoy maneuvers to sustain maritime readiness and to integrate Japanese forces in training for Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (MDX-ARDB). MDX-ARDB is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Grace Gerlach)

Photo by Cpl. Grace Gerlach

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey with the 107th Aviation Unit conduct a bilateral formation flight over Mount Fuji, Japan, Mar. 17, 2022. Bilateral flights build familiarity and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese aviation units. Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Ready Deployment Brigade is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cesar Ronaldo Alarcon)

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey with the 107th Aviation Unit conduct a bilateral formation flight over Mount Fuji, Japan, Mar. 17, 2022. Bilateral flights build familiarity and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese aviation units. Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Ready Deployment Brigade is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cesar Ronaldo Alarcon)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Cesar Alarcon

U.S. Navy corpsman with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) compete against Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) medics with the Amphibious Ready Deployment Brigade to place a tourniquet on a casualty on Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Mar. 21, 2022. The corpsmen and medics worked together to set up a shock trauma platoon, which enables the quick stabilization of casualties in a field environment. Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cesar Ronaldo Alarcon)

U.S. Navy corpsman with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) compete against Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) medics with the Amphibious Ready Deployment Brigade to place a tourniquet on a casualty on Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Mar. 21, 2022. The corpsmen and medics worked together to set up a shock trauma platoon, which enables the quick stabilization of casualties in a field environment. Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cesar Ronaldo Alarcon)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Cesar Alarcon

A British Royal Marine Commando with 40 Commando Royal Marines, sets security during an experimental jungle training exercise, Naval Base Guam, Guam, Mar. 22, 2022. Exercise Noble Arashi is part of 31st MEU’s Noble Series of exercises which are used to validate or invalidate the Family of Naval Concepts, develop techniques and procedures for the employment of MEU assets in support of sea denial and fleet maneuver, and inform future force design and experimentation efforts. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Strike Group in the 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Yvonne Iwae)

A British Royal Marine Commando with 40 Commando Royal Marines, sets security during an experimental jungle training exercise, Naval Base Guam, Guam, Mar. 22, 2022. Exercise Noble Arashi is part of 31st MEU’s Noble Series of exercises which are used to validate or invalidate the Family of Naval Concepts, develop techniques and procedures for the employment of MEU assets in support of sea denial and fleet maneuver, and inform future force design and experimentation efforts. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Strike Group in the 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Yvonne Iwae)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Yvonne Iwae

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Chris Meinershagen, a mortar Marine with Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), holds security during room clearing drills at Barrigada, Guam, Mar. 21, 2022. Exercise Noble Arashi is part of 31st MEU's Noble Series of exercises which are used to validate or invalidate the Family of Naval Concepts, develop techniques and procedures for the employment of MEU assets in support of sea denial and fleet maneuver, and inform future force design and experimentation efforts. The 31st MEU is operating aboard the ships of the America Expeditionary Strike Group in the 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Danny Gonzalez)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Chris Meinershagen, a mortar Marine with Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), holds security during room clearing drills at Barrigada, Guam, Mar. 21, 2022. Exercise Noble Arashi is part of 31st MEU's Noble Series of exercises which are used to validate or invalidate the Family of Naval Concepts, develop techniques and procedures for the employment of MEU assets in support of sea denial and fleet maneuver, and inform future force design and experimentation efforts. The 31st MEU is operating aboard the ships of the America Expeditionary Strike Group in the 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Danny Gonzalez)

Photo by Sgt. Danny Gonzalez

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Stanley Calixte, commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 31 (CLB), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, briefs Japanese soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment before a convoy for a company-level training exercise on Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Mar. 17, 2022. CLB-31 conducted convoy maneuvers to sustain maritime readiness and to integrate Japanese forces in training for Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (MDX-ARDB). MDX-ARDB is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Grace Gerlach)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Stanley Calixte, commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 31 (CLB), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, briefs Japanese soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment before a convoy for a company-level training exercise on Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Mar. 17, 2022. CLB-31 conducted convoy maneuvers to sustain maritime readiness and to integrate Japanese forces in training for Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (MDX-ARDB). MDX-ARDB is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Grace Gerlach)

Photo by Cpl. Grace Gerlach

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), escort Japanese soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment (1ARDR) to a drop zone for a quick response air delivery exercise in support of Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (MDX-ARDB) on Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Mar. 15, 2022. Marines with the 31st MEU demonstrated quick response air delivery capabilities to integrate Japanese forces in training. MDX-ARDB is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Grace Gerlach)

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), escort Japanese soldiers with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment (1ARDR) to a drop zone for a quick response air delivery exercise in support of Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (MDX-ARDB) on Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Mar. 15, 2022. Marines with the 31st MEU demonstrated quick response air delivery capabilities to integrate Japanese forces in training. MDX-ARDB is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Grace Gerlach)

Photo by Cpl. Grace Gerlach

U.S. Marines with Kilo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/5 (BLT 1/5), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a simulated gun drill during a direct fire range at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, March 14, 2022. BLT 1/5 routinely conducts live-fire operations to maintain proficiency and combat readiness. Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan.

U.S. Marines with Kilo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/5 (BLT 1/5), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a simulated gun drill during a direct fire range at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, March 14, 2022. BLT 1/5 routinely conducts live-fire operations to maintain proficiency and combat readiness. Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan.

Photo by Cpl Malik Lewis