How did the landing on Keise-Jima support the invasion of Okinawa?

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U.S. Marines on Okinawa — Battle of Okinawa U.S. Marines battling for control of a ridge near Naha, Okinawa, May 1945.

The landing on Keise-Jima, a collection of coral islets located 11 miles southwest of the main invasion beaches, served as a critical preparatory step for the invasion of Okinawa. By occupying these islets, American forces were able to establish 155-mm Long Tom artillery batteries. These batteries provided essential fire support that could reach across most of the southern portion of Okinawa, effectively bolstering the amphibious landing and subsequent ground operations.12