JGSDF

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Mario A. Marquez, sergeant major, Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward, runs with the unit colors during a command run on Naval Support Activity Bahrain Jan. 22, 2015. The run was conducted to boost morale and build camaraderie within the unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by CE MARFOR CENTCOM FWD Cpl. Sean Searfus/ Released)
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III MEF bids farewell to Sergeant Major Mario Marquez

III Marine Expeditionary Force Marines and sailors bid farewell to III MEF Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Mario A. Marquez here on Aug. 4, 2020.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Steven Salazar, a bassoon player with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, plays the bassoon during a combined performance with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 15th Brigade Band on June 18, 2020, on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Salazar is a native of Los Angeles, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brennan J. Beauton)
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Steven Salazar
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III MEF Band and the JGSDF 15th Brigade Band perform together amidst COVID-19

The III Marine Expeditionary Force and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 15th Brigade bands performed together from June 15 to 18 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan.
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Futenma Flight Line Fair March 14-15 postponed

As a precaution due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, the 2020 Futenma Flight Line Fair (FLF) scheduled for March 14 & 15 on MCAS Futenma has been postponed. Follow MCCS Okinawa on Facebook or visit website at mccsokinawa.com for updates about FLF. 
PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 12, 2020) Soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment launch an amphibious assault vehicle from the well deck of the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) for an amphibious assault demonstration as part of Iron Fist 2020, Feb. 12, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Natalie M. Byers/Released)
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US Sailors, Marines Train Alongside Japanese Soldiers in Exercise Iron Fist

Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) and amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) along with U.S. Marines welcomed aboard Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment soldiers in support of Exercise Iron Fist 2020, Feb. 3 through Feb. 14.
Photo by Bert Blanchette
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III MEF and JGSDF conclude Northern Viper 2020

U.S. Marines from across III Marine Expeditionary Force, and members of 5th Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, say goodbye as exercise Northern Viper 2020 comes to an end, concluding the training that has taken place for the last few weeks in Hokudaien and Yausubetsu Training Areas, Hokkaido, Japan, Jan. 26 to Feb. 8, 2020.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dylan Hess
Lance Cpl. Cameron Knight
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Bilateral training exercise at Hokudaien Training Area, Hokkaido

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cameron Knight, a water support technician with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, starts a generator at Hokudaien Training Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Jan. 28, 2020.
U.S. Marine Corps Photo By Cpl. Cameron E. Parks
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Any clime, any place

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, and Soldiers from 5th Brigade, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, train to traverse through rough and snowy terrain at exercise Northern Viper 2020, in Hokudaien Training Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Jan. 24, 2020.
Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Audrey M. C. Rampton
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U.S. Marines, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force begin Exercise Forest Light Western Army

More than 145 Okinawa-based U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit will join around 500 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members, for bilateral training exercise Forest Light Western Army Jan. 18 – 31, 2020, in Kyushu, Japan.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jordan E. Gilbert
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U.S. and Japan conduct bilateral exercise Yama Sakura 77

U.S. Marines and U.S. Army Soldiers, alongside members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, participated in Exercise Yama Sakura 77 on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan Dec. 9-16, 2019, strengthening military operations, readiness, trust and friendship between U.S. forces and the JGSDF.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. D’Angelo Yanez
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Forest Light Middle Army begins

U.S. Marines and Soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will conduct training exercise Forest Light Middle Army at Aibano Training Area in the Shiga Prefecture of Japan from Dec. 1 to Dec. 13, 2019.
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Taco rice a terrific meal on Okinawa

Nothing says fast food in the south of Japan like “tako-raisu!” And 2020 marks the 36th birthday of this signature Okinawan dish, according to local lore.
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Hamburger legacy in Japan

These days, you can find a burger anywhere in Japan – from fast-food franchise to mom-and-pop sandwich shops. But few reveal the secret sauce on Japan’s hamburger history: The U.S. military. 
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Did you know?: Depachika - Japanese department stores paradise for foodies

Ever visited one of the many department store food basements around Japan? The first of its kind was introduced about 80 years ago in Nagoya.
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Yoshoku: Enjoy Western-style Japanese food

Foods like omurice, ton katsu and naporitan spaghetti are items you’ve likely seen on a menu if you’ve ever visited a casual dining restaurant in Japan.
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Top 5 healthy BBQ foods to enjoy at parties

Ahhhhh, summer. Those lazy days that seem to last forever and go by in the blink of an eye at the same time.  Endless summer nights, sunshine, and the delicious smell of barbecue permanently in the air. What better time to throw together a party?
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Carbs on Carbs: Top 5 Weird Ways Japan Took Baked Goods to Another Level

When it comes to food, some of the most unique culinary creations found in Japan are not limited to high-class restaurants, but can be found at the humble convenience store or supermarket.