U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Kyle B. Ellison, the commanding

U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Kyle B. Ellison, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade gives opening remarks during a rehearsal of concept drill for Exercise Yama Sakura 79 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 5, 2020. Exercise Yama Sakura 79 provides opportunity for U.S. Marines and the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to conduct bilateral training and to share practices, techniques, and experience. The exercise shows the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance, as well as to promote regional security in the Indo-Pacific Region. The U.S. and Japan are committed to executing bilateral exercises like YS 79 while safeguarding the local public and maintaining readiness at all times despite the pandemic. The 3D MEB is a resilient, ready and relevant force in the Indo-Pacific. Portions of this image were masked for security reasons. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Hannah Hall)