III Marine Expeditionary Force

III Marine Expeditionary Force
III Marine Expeditionary Force insignia
Active1942–46, 1965–present
Country United States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
TypeMarine Air-Ground Task Force
RoleForward-deployed expeditionary force
Size~27,000
Part of Marine Forces Pacific
Garrison/HQCamp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan
Motto(s)Forward, Faithful, Focused
March"Fight Now" by Michael Andrew Newell
EngagementsWorld War II

Vietnam War

Persian Gulf War

Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Sea Angel
Operation Fiery Vigil
Operation Restore Hope
Global War on Terrorism

Iraq War

Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Tomodachi
Operation Damayan
Commanders
Current
commander
Lt. Gen. Roger B. Turner
Notable
commanders
Alexander Vandegrift
William R. Collins
Herman Nickerson Jr.
Donn J. Robertson
Lewis W. Walt
Robert E. Cushman Jr.
Carl W. Hoffman

III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) is a formation of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps. It is forward-deployed and able to rapidly conduct operations across the spectrum from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) to amphibious assault and high-intensity combat.

It maintains a forward presence in Japan and Asia to support the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan (1960) and other alliance relationships of the United States. III MEF also conducts combined operations and training throughout the region in support of the National Security Strategy for Theater Security Cooperation.

The Marines and sailors of III MEF engage in more than 65 combined, bilateral and multilateral training exercises annually throughout the Asia-Pacific region, in countries including treaty allies Japan, Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia. These exercises build partner capacity, develop and maintain strong regional alliances and military-to-military contacts. These exercises prepare III MEF to conduct operations ranging from major combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

III MEF has played a significant role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions throughout the region. The MEF assisted the relief efforts led by the Government of Japan during Operation Tomodachi after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. III MEF also conducted HA/DR missions in Thailand in October 2011, the Philippines in October 2010, and Indonesia in October 2009.[1] Most recently in response to the resulting humanitarian crisis from Typhoon Haiyan which struck the Philippines in 2013, III MEF activated as Joint Task Force 505 to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in support of the Philippine government.[2] More than 2,495 tons of relief supplies were delivered, and over 21,000 people were evacuated.[3]

  1. ^ III MEF Lineage and Honors, USMC History Division
  2. ^ DoD News, "Joint Task Force 505 Activates for Operation Damayan"
  3. ^ Lum and Margesson, "Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): U.S. and International Response to Philippines Disaster"