U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, participated in a mobility exercise as part of Exercise Keen Sword 27 across Okinawa, Kagoshima and Oita prefectures, Japan, Oct. 12-19, 2026. The mobility exercise, MOBEX, is a joint training exercise that allows Marines across all levels of the MLR to plan and execute the logistical movement of personnel, tactical vehicles and sensor systems to different locations.
“It’s a proof of concept of our mobility,” said Capt. James Mundy, operations officer with 12th Marine Littoral Regiment. “Our ability to deploy assets from Okinawa to the Sakishima Islands is something we want to establish and improve further.” Keen Sword 27 began with the movement of personnel and sensor systems, including the Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, Marine Air Defense Integrated System and AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar, across Yonaguni, Miyakojima and Ishigaki. These movements demonstrated the joint capabilities of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, highlighting cooperation and interoperability between participating forces.
“The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps and various different countries participated including the JSDF, Canada, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany. Keen Sword is another opportunity for our Allies and partners to work together and show that we are all stronger.” Capt. James Mundy, operations officer with 12th Marine Littoral Regiment
As one of the largest joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, Keen Sword provides opportunities to strengthen relationships, coordination and logistical integration among allied and partner forces. Coordinating the transportation of Marines into JGSDF training areas helped improve interoperability and lethality due to the demanding nature of logistical movements involving personnel from small-unit leaders to senior commanders. “Keen Sword is helping bilateral training by allowing us to strengthen those relationships with our partners,” said Cpl. Ryan Martin, an intelligence specialist with 12th LCT. “Right now, more than ever, it’s paramount to strengthen and further develop those relationships and this exercise is a very good way to do that.”
At the small-unit level, MOBEX provided Marines opportunities to operate in unfamiliar environments and overcome logistical challenges. This presented a diverse set of logistical problems pertaining to mobility and geographical navigation across unfamiliar terrain with minimal technological assistance. These challenges further enhanced the problem-solving skills of small-unit leaders.
Photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla
U.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Logistics Battalion, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, prepare to offload an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar during Exercise Keen Sword 27 on Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, Oct. 18, 2026. Keen Sword is a routine, biennial bilateral field training exercise with multinational participation, designed to increase readiness and interoperability between the U.S. Military and Japan Self Defense Forces while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan Allegiance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla)
“We can utilize this training space to the best of our abilities and get the most out of it,” said Cpl. Jalen Evans, a rifleman. “We get a diverse climate and area here; it helps us adjust to any kind of weather condition and build contingency plans for those scenarios.”
Throughout Exercise Keen Sword 27, U.S. forces and members of the JSDF overcame logistical and environmental challenges, strengthening mobility capabilities and bilateral interoperability. The exercise reinforced the importance of integrated training, tactical movements across unfamiliar terrain and coordinated logistical operations throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Source: www.marines.mil
