About this Unit
Marine Forces Pacific (COMMARFORPAC) is the United States Marine Corps' largest field command and serves as the Marine Corps component of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. Established in 1992, COMMARFORPAC is headquartered at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, and is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping Marine forces for operations throughout the vast Indo-Pacific region. Throughout its history, COMMARFORPAC has played a critical role in numerous joint and combined exercises, humanitarian missions, and crisis responses, reinforcing U.S. presence and commitments in the Asia-Pacific. The command oversees significant forward-deployed Marine forces in Japan, Korea, and other locations, maintaining readiness to respond rapidly to contingencies across the theater.
Historical Facts
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Origin in World War II: The lineage of Commanding General, Marine Forces Pacific (COMMARFORPAC) dates back to the establishment of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPac) in September 1944, during World War II, to oversee the growing number of Marine units in the Pacific Theater.
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Largest Field Command: COMMARFORPAC is the largest field command in the United States Marine Corps, responsible for more than two-thirds of the Corps’ operational forces.
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Location in Hawaii: The headquarters of COMMARFORPAC is located at Camp H.M. Smith, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, giving it a strategic vantage point in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Key Role in the Korean War: FMFPac was instrumental in planning and executing the Inchon Landing in 1950, a turning point in the Korean War led by General Douglas MacArthur.
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Vietnam War Involvement: During the Vietnam War, FMFPac managed the deployment of Marine forces to South Vietnam, overseeing combat operations and logistics.
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Dual-Hatted Command: The COMMARFORPAC commander also serves as the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, making it a dual-hatted position with broad responsibilities.
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Pacific Partnership Exercises: Marine Forces Pacific regularly participates in major joint and multinational exercises such as RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise), the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise.
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Humanitarian Missions: COMMARFORPAC units have played critical roles in disaster relief operations across the Pacific, including responses to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami.
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Modernization and Pivot to the Pacific: In recent years, COMMARFORPAC has been at the forefront of the Marine Corps’ modernization efforts and the strategic Pivot to the Pacific to address emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
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Symbolic Crest: The emblem of Marine Forces Pacific incorporates the traditional Marine Corps eagle, globe, and anchor with a laurel wreath and Pacific-themed imagery, symbolizing both valor and the command’s regional focus.
