U.S. Marines train during the Iron Fist exercise at Kin Blue Beach, Okinawa, March 12, 2024. (Tyler Andrews/U.S. Marine Corps)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — At least three U.S. Navy ships and four Marine Corps Ospreys will join an annual amphibious exercise by Marines, sailors and Japanese troops next month, according to Japan’s military.

Iron Fist is scheduled Feb. 19 through March 7 at several locations, including the Marines’ Camp Hansen and Kin Blue Beach Training Area on Okinawa, according to a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force news release Friday. Drills will also take place at Vice-Camp Takayubaru and Camp Ainoura on Kyushu, and on Okinoerabu Island, about 43 miles northeast of Okinawa.

The U.S. 7th Fleet’s amphibious assault ship USS America, the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego, and the dock-landing ship USS Rushmore will take part in the exercise, according to the release.

Seventh Fleet spokesman Lt. Cmdr. John Mike declined by email Monday to confirm the ships’ participation, citing security reasons.

Four MV-22 Ospreys from the 36th Marine Aircraft Group at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa will fly to Camp Ainoura as part of the training, according to a Friday news release from Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

A spokeswoman for III Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Lt. Isabel Izquierdo, declined by email Monday to confirm the Ospreys’ participation.

Iron Fist, in its 19th year, will feature “combined planning to improve preparedness through real-world amphibious training,” according to Izquierdo’s email.

The exercise will also focus on advanced marksmanship, amphibious reconnaissance, fire and maneuver assaults, bilateral logistics, medical support and fire support operations, such as mortars, artillery and close-air support, she said.

This year’s Iron Fist comes amid ongoing concerns about the pace of China’s moves around Japan and Taiwan.

China demonstrated in exercises last year an ability to surround and isolate Taiwan, which Beijing intends to reclaim one day. China’s coast guard also spent a record 355 days in waters around the Senkaku Islands. Japan administers the small islets and rocks in the East China Sea, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan.

Iron Fist locations will include Camp Courtney and the Northern Training Area on Okinawa, Ie Shima Auxiliary Airfield northwest of Okinawa and Japan’s Camp Naha, a spokesman with Japan’s Ground Staff Office said by phone Monday.

Approximately 2,700 Marines and sailors and 1,300 Japanese troops will participate in Iron Fist, with observers from England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and the Philippines scheduled to attend, the spokesman said.

Some Japanese government officials speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

Last year’s Iron Fist focused on island defense, with troops training to recapture an island in the Indo-Pacific.

“This training remains imperative in allowing the U.S. Marine Corps to maintain its commitments under the U.S.-Japan Alliance,” Izquierdo said.