page_title: III Marine Expeditionary Force
section_title: III MEF Band
hierarchical_section_title: III Marine Expeditionary Force / III MEF Band
caption_attribution_description: English: III MEF Band Bass Drum Head
context_page_description: III Marine Expeditionary Force is a formation of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps. It is forward-deployed and able to rapidly conduct operations across the spectrum from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to amphibious assault and high-intensity combat.
  It maintains a forward presence in Japan and Asia to support the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan and other alliance relationships of the United States. III MEF also conducts combined operations and training throughout the region in support of the National Security Strategy for Theater Security Cooperation.
  The Marines and sailors of III MEF engage in more than 65 combined, bilateral and multilateral training exercises annually throughout the Asia-Pacific region, in countries including treaty allies Japan, Thailand, South Korea, The Philippines, and Australia. These exercises build partner capacity, develop and maintain strong regional alliances and military-to-military contacts. These exercises prepare III MEF to conduct operations ranging from major combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
context_section_description: The III Marine Expeditionary Force Band (III MEF Band) is a USMC military band which is the official marching band of the III MEF. Being located at Camp Courtney in Okinawa, Japan, it is the sole de-facto musical representative of the USMC in the eastern hemisphere. It is alzo one of two military bands in United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, with the other being the Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band (MARFORPAC Band). It commonly performs throughout the South-East Asian region, including at international military tattoos in South Korea and Japan. The band was awarded the title of 2018 Marine Corps Band of the Year in February 2018.
  The following comprises the leadership of the band:
  Commanding Officer/Band Director – CWO3 Andres Navarro
  Bandmaster – Master gunnery sergeant Carlos Flores
  Instrument Repair Technician – Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan Perrine
  Enlisted Conductor – Staff Sergeant Steven Andrews
  Drum Major – Staff Sergeant Kady Miller
  Small Ensemble Leader – Staff Sergeant Michael Newell
  Uniquely, the band has its own mascot, which helps represent the band when on parade. The history of the use of a mascot dates back to 1974, when the commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing presented a Golden Retriever to the 1st MAW Band. On 21 June 2002, Private Chopper IV, the designated successor to the first three puppies with the same name, assumed his duties as the III MEF Band Mascot. He was replaced in November 2012 by Chopper V. Being an enlisted marine, Chopper V has the ability to be promoted in rank.
caption: III MEF Band Bass Drum Head
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