OKINAWA, Japan - U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.) and Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, executed a long-range helicopter insert exercise to Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Sep. 23, 2025, where they conducted combined arms live-fire training to maintain operational readiness, tactical proficiency, and enhance lethality while operating within the Indo-Pacific.
In less than 36-hours, two waves encompassing nearly 400 Marines assigned to BLT 1/7, were transported non-stop over 1,000 miles with eight MV-22Bs and four CH-53Es to CATC Camp Fuji, Japan from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The movement demonstrated the MEU’s ability to rapidly deploy a BLT from Okinawa to a forward deployed location utilizing only military aircraft, according to Maj. James Hurton, the operations officer for BLT 1/7. “This movement allowed the BLT to mass credible combat power at a location of our choosing along a very short timeline,” said Hurton. “This capability can be used to preposition forces within the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility should the need arise.” Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.), the Marine Air Element attached to the 31st MEU, supported the movement by providing long-range logistical capabilities via MV-22B Ospreys and CH-53E Super Stallions.
This demonstration of multi-domain transport capabilities in support of combined-joint all domain operations allowed the Marines to depart and arrive at their location in a quick and organized manner. “This was a planning effort across all warfighting functions of the MEU, with the BLT and VMM working hand-in-hand throughout the planning and execution of the exercise.” said Hurton.
Training in the 7th fleet area of operations allows Marines to operate in a multitude of harsh geographical environments. CATC Camp Fuji, an integral part of the Unit Deployment Program, provides Marines the ability to experience an immersive environment where they can implement live-fire and high explosive training in a region defined by its unique environmental factors. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, permanently positioned to provide a flexible and lethal force, ready to operate with our allies and partners, to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region.