Royal Thai Armed Forces SM1 Yingyong Tilarak, a Thailand Mine Action Center Explosive Ordnance Disposal student with Humanitarian Mine Action Unit 1, prepares an initiating system during an HMA EOD Level 3 course at Ta Mor Roi Training area in Surin Province, Thailand, Jul. 28, 2022. Royal Thai and American Armed Forces work together to train TMAC students in EOD level 3 in order to develop an EOD capacity to assist TMAC’s mission of becoming landmine free. This partnership is aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Mine Action Program, which assists partnered nations affected by landmines, explosive remnants of war, and the hazardous effects of unexploded ordnance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Moises Rodriguez) - Royal Thai Armed Forces SM1 Yingyong Tilarak, a Thailand Mine Action Center Explosive Ordnance Disposal student with Humanitarian Mine Action Unit 1, prepares an initiating system during an HMA EOD Level 3 course at Ta Mor Roi Training area in Surin Province, Thailand, Jul. 28, 2022. Royal Thai and American Armed Forces work together to train TMAC students in EOD level 3 in order to develop an EOD capacity to assist TMAC’s mission of becoming landmine free. This partnership is aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Mine Action Program, which assists partnered nations affected by landmines, explosive remnants of war, and the hazardous effects of unexploded ordnance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Moises Rodriguez)

Lt. Gen. Ryoji Takemoto, Commanding General of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) Western Army, Maj. General Stephen G. Smith, 7th Infantry Division Commanding General and U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Michael A. Brooks, Assistant Commanding General of 3rd Marine Division, provide opening remarks for Yama Sakura 83 opening ceremony at Camp Kengun, Japan, Dec. 4, 2022. Yama Sakura is a complex command post exercise that has been ongoing for over 40 years and continues to build the bilateral partnership of the strong US-JGSDF alliance. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tom Foster) - Lt. Gen. Ryoji Takemoto, Commanding General of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) Western Army, Maj. General Stephen G. Smith, 7th Infantry Division Commanding General and U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Michael A. Brooks, Assistant Commanding General of 3rd Marine Division, provide opening remarks for Yama Sakura 83 opening ceremony at Camp Kengun, Japan, Dec. 4, 2022. Yama Sakura is a complex command post exercise that has been ongoing for over 40 years and continues to build the bilateral partnership of the strong US-JGSDF alliance. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tom Foster)

The U.S. Marine Corps III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion color guard and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force color guard members participate in the 2022 Reunion of Honor on Iwo To, Japan, Dec. 10, 2022. The Reunion of Honor is an annual ceremony that commemorates the sacrifices made by both Japanese and American service members who fought during World War II on Iwo To. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Paley Fenner) - The U.S. Marine Corps III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion color guard and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force color guard members participate in the 2022 Reunion of Honor on Iwo To, Japan, Dec. 10, 2022. The Reunion of Honor is an annual ceremony that commemorates the sacrifices made by both Japanese and American service members who fought during World War II on Iwo To. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Paley Fenner)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines and members of the Japan Self-Defense Force Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade offload a Japan Self Defense Force CH-47JA Chinook helicopter during Keen Sword 23 at Tsutara, Japan, Nov. 16, 2022. Keen Sword is a biennial training event that exercises the combined capabilities and lethality developed between 3d Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and the Japan Self-Defense Force. This bilateral field-training exercise between the U.S. military and JSDF strengthens interoperability and combat readiness of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Scott Aubuchon) - U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines and members of the Japan Self-Defense Force Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade offload a Japan Self Defense Force CH-47JA Chinook helicopter during Keen Sword 23 at Tsutara, Japan, Nov. 16, 2022. Keen Sword is a biennial training event that exercises the combined capabilities and lethality developed between 3d Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and the Japan Self-Defense Force. This bilateral field-training exercise between the U.S. military and JSDF strengthens interoperability and combat readiness of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)