ALT U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Charles Peoples, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's senior enlisted advisor, left, shakes hands with Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade senior enlisted advisors during a sergeant major symposium for Iron Fist 23 at Hijudai, Japan, Feb. 17, 2023. The meeting allowed the leaders to build relations and share best practices on the development and guidance for the Marines and soldiers under their command. 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 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William N. Wallace

ALT U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, speak to soldiers from the 1st Regimental Landing Team, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, during a night live-fire exercise for Iron Fist 23 in Hijudai, Japan, Feb. 22, 2023. The training allowed the U.S. Marines and soldiers from the JGSDF to share tactics and work together to secure an objective. 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 Sgt. Andrew King

ALT U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Adam Chalkley, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, walks with Royal Thai Marine Corps commander Rear Adm. Werachai Leeka to the Command Operations Center of Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd MLG, on Camp Jessada, Kingdom of Thailand, March 1, 2023. The Thai-U.S. co-sponsored exercise represents the longstanding friendship between the people of Thailand, the United States, and like-minded allies and partners. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Federico Marquez

ALT U.S. Navy Lt. Leotra West (far left), Chaplain (FMF) for Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, meets with Royal Thai Marine Corps Chaplain Cmdr. Surachet Thongman (center right) during Exercise Cobra Gold at Camp Jessada, Kingdom of Thailand, March 1, 2023. The bilateral chaplains’ meeting discussed topics to establish connections and strengthen community relations between United States Forces and Royal Thai Forces. Cobra Gold, now in its 42nd year, is a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored training event that builds on the longstanding friendship between the two allied nations and brings together a robust multinational force to promote regional peace and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Madison Santamaria

ALT U.S. Navy Adm. Chris Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, greets service members from participating nations during the opening ceremony of Exercise Cobra Gold at Utapao International Airport, Ban Chang district, Rayong province, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 28, 2023. Cobra Gold, now in its 42nd year, is a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored training event that builds on the longstanding friendship between the two allied nations and brings together a robust multinational force to promote regional peace and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon)

ALT Service members, key leaders, and representatives from participating nations attend the opening ceremony of Exercise Cobra Gold at Utapao International Airport, Ban Chang district, Rayong province, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 28, 2023. Cobra Gold, now in its 42nd year, is a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored training event that builds on the longstanding friendship between the two allied nations and brings together a robust multinational force to promote regional peace and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon)

ALT Robert F. Godec, U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, welcomes service members from participating nations during the opening ceremony of Exercise Cobra Gold at Utapao International Airport, Ban Chang district, Rayong province, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 28, 2023. Cobra Gold, now in its 42nd year, is a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored training event that builds on the longstanding friendship between the two allied nations and brings together a robust multinational force to promote regional peace and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon)

ALT Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Admiral Motoyuki Kanezashi, commander, Amphibious and Mine Warfare Force, left-center, speaks at a meeting with U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Derek Trinque, commander Task Force 76/3, left, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen.Shingo Nashinoki, commander, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, right-center, and U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Fridrik Fridriksson, deputy commander TF 76/3, during Iron Fist 23 aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. This visit to took place during Exercise Iron Fist and provided an overview of TF 76/3, focusing on the command-and-control structure and command position, and how it improves the commander’s ability to control forces and command from ashore without the need to embark. Iron Fist is a U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific-directed, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit-executed, bilateral training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and aims to improve staff planning, enha

ALT U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Fridrik Fridriksson, deputy commander Task Force 76/3, third-from-right, speaks to U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Derek Trinque, commander Task Force 76/3, left, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Admiral Motoyuki Kanezashi, commander, Amphibious and Mine Warfare Force, left-center, and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Shingo Nashinoki, commander, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, right-center, at a meeting during Iron Fist 23 aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. This visit took place during Exercise Iron Fist and provided an overview of TF 76/3, focusing on the command-and-control structure and command position, and how it improves the commander’s ability to control forces and command from ashore without the need to embark. Iron Fist is a U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific-directed, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit-executed, bilateral training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and aims to improv

ALT U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Derek Trinque, commander Task Force 76/3, left, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Admiral Motoyuki Kanezashi, commander, Amphibious and Mine Warfare Force, left-center, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Shingo Nashinoki, commander, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, right-center, and U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Fridrik Fridriksson, deputy commander TF 76/3, right, pose for a photo during Iron Fist 23 aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. This visit took place during Exercise Iron Fist and provided an overview of TF 76/3, focusing on the command-and-control structure and command position, and how it improves the commander’s ability to control forces and command from ashore without the need to embark. Iron Fist is a U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific-directed, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit-executed, bilateral training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and aims to improve staff planning, enhance

ALT U.S. Marines and Sailors from Task Force 76/3 pose for a photo with service members from the Japanese Maritime and Ground Self-Defense Forces during Iron Fist 23 aboard Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. This visit to Task Force 76/3 took place during Exercise Iron Fist 23 and provided an overview of TF 76/3, focusing on the command-and-control structure and command position, and how it improves the commander’s ability to control forces and command from ashore without the need to embark. Iron Fist 23 is a U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific-directed, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit-executed, bilateral training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and aims to improve staff planning, enhance core competencies in amphibious operations and interoperability, and maintain a positive military-to-military relationship between Japan and the United States. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Ochoa)

ALT Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Josh Mosqueda, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 362 (Rein.), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), left, and 3rd Class Guillermo Salguero, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 13th MEU, hangs a blood bag during casualty response training in an MV-22 Osprey, assigned to VMM 362, 13th MEU, during Expeditionary Strike Force (ESF) operations with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG), Feb. 15, 2023 in the South China Sea. Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) and amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) with embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting joint expeditionary strike force (ESF) operations, representing unique high-end warfighting capabilities, maritime superiority, and power projection, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nadia Lund)

ALT F-35B Lightning II aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), rest aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKI ARG), with embarked 13th MEU, are conducting combined expeditionary strike force (ESF) operations, demonstrating unique high-end war fighting capability, maritime superiority, power projection and readiness. Operations include integrated training designed to advance interoperability between the two groups while simultaneously demonstrating the U.S. commitment to our alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Rowe)

ALT Aircraft from Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (MKI ARG), with embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) fly in formation over the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). NIMCSG, MKI ARG and 13th MEU are conducting combined expeditionary strike force (ESF) operations, demonstrating unique high-end war fighting capability, maritime superiority, power projection and readiness. Operations include integrated training designed to advance interoperability between the two groups while simultaneously demonstrating the U.S. commitment to our alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine 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 3rd Class Joseph Calabrese)

ALT U.S. Marines with maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and members of the reconnaissance battalion, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, exchange paddles during the opening ceremony of their subject matter expert exchange for Iron Fist 23 on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 14, 2023. The USMC and ARDB regularly come together for training evolutions and celebrate a long-standing history of cooperation and partnership. 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 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Christopher W. England)

ALT U.S. Marines with maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and members of the reconnaissance battalion, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, pose for a photo during the opening ceremony of their subject matter expert exchange for Iron Fist 23 on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 14, 2023. The USMC and ARDB regularly come together for training evolutions and celebrate a long-standing history of cooperation and partnership. 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 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Christopher W. England)