III Marine Expeditionary Force change of command ceremony at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, July 15, 2026. Lt. Gen. Roger B. Turner relinquished command of III MEF to Lt. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, signifying the transfer of authority and responsibility. (U.S. video by Cpl. Giovanni Navarrette)
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa, Japan – Lt. Gen. Roger B. Turner relinquished command of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Forces Japan to Lt. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson during a change of command ceremony at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, July 15, 2026.
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan–During Resolute Dragon 26, Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, took part in bilateral training with the Western Army System Signal Group, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force on June 24-25, 2026, at Camp Kengun, Kumamoto, Japan. The aim of this bilateral training was to increase interoperability via a knowledge exchange between U.S. and Japanese forces.
On June 23, 2026, U.S. and Japanese service members, civilians, and leaders gathered at Mabuni Hill in Peace Memorial Park to mark Okinawa's 81st Memorial Day. The ceremony, held at the Cornerstone of Peace monument (which honors over 250,000 lives lost in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa regardless of nationality), served as a powerful symbol of reconciliation, turning past tragedy into an enduring bilateral alliance focused on a free and open...
