Marines and Sailors with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct platoon to company plus-sized assault tactics training with members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force throughout southern California, January-February, during Exercise Iron Fist 2013.

The purpose of the bilateral exercise is to improve interoperability, enhance military-to-military relations and to hone individual and small unit skills necessary for effective crisis response and to effectively conduct contingency operations across the Pacific.