LEADERS

Preparing for tomorrow: VMU-3 ready for the MQ-9

Next month, Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3) will receive its first MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft. Since the final flight of its RQ-21 Blackjack last year, the squadron's training focus has transitioned to receiving and employing the MQ-9.

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Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 Change of Command

Lt. Col. Vanessa M. Clark relinquished command of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268 to Lt. Col. Brandon S. Pope...

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Remembering Warriors: 77th Reunion of Honor - Remembering Warriors: 77th Reunion of Honor

Remembering Warriors: 77th Reunion of Honor

Japanese and U.S. distinguished visitors gathered for the Reunion of Honor Ceremony...

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MASS-2 Marines Stand-In and Move Out - MASS-2 Marines Stand-In and Move Out

MASS-2 Marines Stand-In and Move Out

1st Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Air Support Squadron (MASS) 2 deployed to five dispersed locations...

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COLA Graphic - COLA graphic

COLA Living Patterns Survey

The Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) Living Patterns Survey is open for III MEF/MARFORJ service members stationed in Okinawa from March 17 through April 18, 2022.

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U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, III., commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force visits Exercise Yama Sakura 79 on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2020. YS 79 allows Marines, and their Japanese counterparts to maintain their interoperability, and readiness to respond to any crisis or contingency in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah Marshall) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, III., commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force visits Exercise Yama Sakura 79 on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2020. YS 79 allows Marines, and their Japanese counterparts to maintain their interoperability, and readiness to respond to any crisis or contingency in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah Marshall)

Marines from 1st MAW participate in Yama Sakura 79

OKINAWA, Japan – U.S. Marines from Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing participated in Yama Sakura 79 with Marines from 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade as well as soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Dec. 9 to Dec. 14, 2020 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan.

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U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), perform COVID-19 prevention measures during Exercise Driven Thermite 21 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19, 2020. This exercise ensures that 1st MAW personnel are ready to plan and execute air operations in the Indo-Pacific by operating in a simulated environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Tess Lobossiere) - U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), perform COVID-19 prevention measures during Exercise Driven Thermite 21 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19, 2020. This exercise ensures that 1st MAW personnel are ready to plan and execute air operations in the Indo-Pacific by operating in a simulated environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Tess Lobossiere)

COVID Mitigation During Driven Thermite 21

OKINAWA, Japan – In mid-November hundreds of Okinawa, Iwakuni and Hawaii-based U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing assembled for exercise Driven Thermite 21, a Wing level Command Post Exercise to validate the Aviation Combat Element Battle Staff’s ability to plan and execute aviation operations within the Indo-Pacific Command.

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U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), perform COVID-19 prevention measures during Exercise Driven Thermite 21 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19, 2020. This exercise ensures that 1st MAW personnel are ready to plan and execute air operations in the Indo-Pacific by operating in a simulated environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Ronald Spotswood) - U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), perform COVID-19 prevention measures during Exercise Driven Thermite 21 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19, 2020. This exercise ensures that 1st MAW personnel are ready to plan and execute air operations in the Indo-Pacific by operating in a simulated environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Ronald Spotswood)

1st MAW Tests Battle Staff During Exercise Driven Thermite

OKINAWA, Japan –Hundreds of Okinawa-based U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) kicked-off Driven Thermite 21, a Wing level Command Post Exercise to validate the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) Battle Staff’s ability to plan and execute aviation operations within Indo-Pacific Command.

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Second F-35B Squadron Officially Established In Indo-Pacific Region With The Redesignation Of VMFA-242

IWAKUNI, Japan. -- On October 16, 2020 Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12 re-designated Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 as part of the Marine Corps’ ongoing transition process from legacy F/A-18 Hornet aircraft to the newer 5th generation F-35B Lightning II.

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Operation Lightning Strike

The operation consisted of Marines with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and 3rd Marine Division, taken to a landing zone by MV-22 Ospreys and CH-53E Super Stallions to engage and destroy a notional enemy. MWSS-172’s role was to provide the Forward Arming and Refueling Point to expand the combat radius and allow aviation ground support closer to the objective.

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