Senior U.S. Marines Visit Ishigaki

Lt. Gen. James Glynn, commander U.S Marine Corps Forces Pacific, joined Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, during a recent trip to Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan October 23, 2024.

During the visit, Glynn and Turner met with Marines from the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, who are participating in Exercise Keen Sword 25; and Japan Ground Self Defense Force service members stationed in Ishigaki. Glynn and Turner met with JGSDF leadership to address current security concerns and continued support to the defense of Japan.

“The strength and depth of integration between US Marines and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in the Sakishima Islands is impressive,” said Glynn. “The training demonstrated capabilities that affirm should a crisis occur; we will effectively respond in mutual support of the Alliance and Japanese people.”

This is the first time the Commander of Marine Corps Forces Pacific has visited the Sakishima Islands and marks a significant milestone in the U.S.-Japan Alliance.

III Marine Expeditionary Force provides the United States with a forward-deployed force in readiness in the Pacific theater. It is a globally responsive, expeditionary, and fully scalable Marine Air-Ground Task Force, capable of deploying forces for operations ranging from crisis response to combat operations.