 Since its inception in 2006, Exercise Iron Fist has served to develop and strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship to plan, communicate, and conduct combined amphibious operations. For the first time, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, American amphibious ready group, and members of the Japan Self-Defense Force, conducted Iron Fist 2023 on Japanese soil. The five-week exercise focused on challenging our combined forces in a more complex and rigorous training environment, showcasing our ability to seamlessly work together to secure and defend key maritime terrain.