Officially Licensed 3rd MEF Marine Expeditionary Force PVC Patch — America's Forward-Deployed Force in the Pacific
III MEF doesn't deploy to the Pacific. It lives there. And it's been ready to fight tonight since 1945.
The III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) is the Marine Corps' forward-deployed force in the Indo-Pacific, headquartered on Okinawa, Japan, and comprising the ground, aviation, and logistics forces that provide the United States with a permanent, combat-ready Marine presence in the Western Pacific. III MEF is the largest forward-deployed Marine force in the world, with elements based across Okinawa, mainland Japan, Hawaii, Guam, and Australia. The MEF's subordinate commands include the 3rd Marine Division, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and the 3rd Marine Logistics Group — a complete Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of responding to any contingency from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to major combat operations across the Pacific theater. III MEF traces its lineage to the amphibious operations of World War II and the occupation of Japan, and has maintained a continuous presence in the Pacific since 1945. The force has deployed in response to crises across the region, including the Korean War, the Vietnam War, humanitarian relief operations after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, and the ongoing posturing of forces to maintain stability and deterrence in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. III MEF is the cornerstone of the U.S.-Japan alliance and the Marine Corps' contribution to the free and open Indo-Pacific strategy. This PVC patch represents America's forward-deployed Marine force.
Perfect For: III MEF Marines past and present, Okinawa and mainland Japan-based Marines, 3rd Marine Division, 1st MAW, and 3rd MLG personnel, and anyone who has served forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific with the Marine Corps.
