 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2020) |
| III Marine Expeditionary Force | |
|---|---|
 III Marine Expeditionary Force insignia | |
| Active | 1942–46, 1965–present |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Marine Air-Ground Task Force |
| Role | Forward-deployed expeditionary force |
| Size | ~27,000 |
| Part of |  Marine Forces Pacific |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan |
| Motto(s) | Forward, Faithful, Focused |
| March | "Fight Now" by Michael Andrew Newell |
| Engagements | World War II
Operation Provide Comfort 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]