III Marine Expeditionary Force expands mission

A Japanese-led convoy of Marines and members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force departs Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, bound for Yamagata Airport in order to establish a humanitarian assistance center where they will be able to provide teams for recovery and assistance efforts. Marines and sailors from III MEF are actively providing support for foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in mainland Japan. The name Tomodachi, which means “friends” in Japanese, was chosen by the government of Japan. (Photo by: Lt. Col. Anthony N. Frasco)