III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (MIG) will conduct Exercise Kaiju Rain 26 in Japan from May 1 to May 31, 2026. Kaiju Rain is an annual exercise focused on improving how Marines communicate, share information, and make decisions in support of operations across the Indo-Pacific region.
During the exercise, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors from various units within III MIG will train across multiple locations in Japan to strengthen their ability to operate in challenging and realistic environments. Training will include communications setup, intelligence gathering, small unmanned aircraft systems operations, cyber defense scenarios, logistics movements, and live-fire events.
The exercise integrates cyber operations, intelligence, electronic warfare, resilient communications, and maritime sensing across dispersed and austere environments. By rehearsing the flow of critical information from sensors and collection assets, Kaiju Rain 26 enhances III MIG’s ability to support commanders’ decision making across the joint force and establish distributed command and control inside contested maritime terrain.
This iteration of Kaiju Rain builds on foundations established during the inaugural iteration of the Kaiju exercise series in 2025. III MIG has since increased its proficiency and refined the integration of its capabilities across the information sphere.
Kaiju Rain 26 also strengthens coordination with the Japan Self-Defense Force by improving how U.S. and Japanese forces share and combine information from different sensing platforms to provide commanders a unified picture of the battlespace. This training supports the long-standing U.S.-Japan Alliance and contributes to regional stability and security. Kaiju Rain 26 strengthens III MIG’s ability to operate as a part of a forward-deployed, stand-in force, ensuring U.S. forces remain ready to respond to crisis or potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.
Photo and video content will be released by III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group for media use and will be available at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/KR26.
Media representatives interested in coverage opportunities should contact the III MIG COMMSTRAT organizational mailbox at DG_III_MIG_MEDIA@usmc.mil or the III MIG COMMSTRAT Operations Officer, 1stLt Joshua Wolek, at joshua.t.wolek.mil@usmc.mil.