Pacific Marines modernize, prep for a busy year

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII—The Japan-based III Marine Expeditionary Force has made some “significant modernization changes” in the past few years as part of the service’s ongoing force design efforts, and is looking forward to a “busy, busy year” of exercises in 2026 amid increasing Chinese aggression in the region, the unit’s commander said.“My mandate is to deliver combat credible capability, and to do it in conjunction with our partners and allies