I Marine Expeditionary Force News

3rd MAW Hosts Senior Leader’s Course 2026: Combat Readiness and Leadership Impact

Cpl. Renee Gray — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:46:00 GMT

Commanders and senior enlisted leaders from across 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing gathered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar for the 2026 Senior Leaders Course, a two-day forum designed to align strategic leadership, reinforce standards, and address the challenges shaping the future of Marine Corps aviation.

Task Force Ashland, USS Ashland arrive in Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold 2026

Gunnery Sgt. Manuel Serrano — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:25:00 GMT

Task Force (TF) Ashland, a forward-deployed force of U.S. Marines and Sailors aboard Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), arrived in the Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 22, to join approximately 8,000 service members from 30 nations for the 45th iteration of Exercise Cobra Gold, which runs from Feb. 24 to March 6, 2026.

Leading Expeditionary Fabrication: How 1st MLG is Transforming Sustainment Operations

2nd Lt. Louis Sosa — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:16:00 GMT

U.S. Marines with Fabrication Platoon, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, are revolutionizing maintenance and sustainment operations across I Marine Expeditionary Force through additive manufacturing, innovation, and expeditionary production capabilities. Equipped with advanced tools including Computer Numerical Control milling, lathing machines, plasma cutting systems, water jet cutters, welding stations, and 3D printers, the fabrication lab enables Marines to rapidly design, prototype, and manufacture solutions that reduce equipment downtime, limit reliance on extended supply chains, and restore combat readiness.

317th AW leads Spring 2026 C-130 WSC, integrates with I MEF

Senior Airman Jade M. Caldwell — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 23:05:00 GMT

The 317th Airlift Wing led the Spring 2026 C-130 Weapon System Council (WSC) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, coordinating with I Marine Expeditionary Force to further integration of rapid air mobility concepts and strengthen Joint tactical airlift capabilities across the Joint and Total Force, Feb. 4-5, 2026.

I MEF Marines evaluate fiber-optic FPV drones during DIU challenge

1st Lt. Logan Tompkins — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 21:06:00 GMT

U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force partnered with the Defense Innovation Unit and industry professionals, Jan. 27-29, 2026, to evaluate first-person view small unmanned aircraft systems that use fiber optic cables, marking the U.S. Marine Corps’ first field evaluation of the technology for sUAS employment in contested environments.

BOXARG-11th MEU Complete At-Sea Integrated Training Exercise

Staff Sgt. Dylan Chagnon — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 21:40:00 GMT

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group - 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit completed a routine integrated training exercise off the coast of Southern California, Jan. 21 – Feb. 6, 2026. Conducted underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations, the amphibious training enhanced warfighting readiness and strengthened the partnership of the amphibious force in preparation for future expeditionary operations.

Staff Sgt. Scafidel: Marine Awarded for Heroic Life-Saving Actions

Sgt. Mary Torres — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:42:00 GMT

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Billy Scafidel, an armory chief with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Medal on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 6, 2026, for his heroic actions in saving a Marine's life after a severe vehicle accident.

Tested, Not Defeated: A Marine Officer’s Battle to Commission

Cpl. Desiree Ruiz — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:15:00 GMT

The dream of leading Marines is universal among officer candidates, but the privilege is earned through a grueling process that tests them both physically and mentally. Over the course of Officer Candidate School, candidates will run countless miles, lead one another in billets, and pass extensive academic exams on U.S. Marine Corps history, ethics, and military skills. The honor of leading Marines is attained through resilience, discipline, and tenacity. For one 2nd Lt., at Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, the fight to earn his commission would extend far beyond OCS, demonstrating a level of resilience few can imagine.

No Borders on Service: An Ecuadorian Marine’s Path to the U.S. Marine Corps

2nd Lt. Steven Maturino — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 22:15:00 GMT

Long before earning the title of United States Marine, Lance Cpl. Juan G. Ipialesparedes served as a special operations Marine in his native country of Ecuador. Today, as a personnel administration specialist with 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, he brings a lifetime of military experience and a deep respect for service that transcends nationality to the United States.

Continuing a Standard of Excellence: CLR-1 Earns $5,000 Award in Operation Clean Sweep III

2nd Lt. Louis Sosa — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:58:00 GMT

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, were awarded a $5,000 check on Jan. 7, 2026, for their efforts during Operation Clean Sweep III, conducted Sept. 22-23, 2025. The event marked the second time that a unit within 1st MLG has been recognized for their efforts during OCS with a check.

Stand and Deliver: Chaplain Cash’s Reminder of Core Values Inspires 3rd MAW Marines

Cpl. Renee Gray — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 22:21:00 GMT

In a force defined by readiness, discipline and endurance, Rear Adm. Carey H. Cash, the 21st Chaplain of the Marine Corps, speaks from rugged experience. From serving as a beacon of faith in Iraq early in his career, to now reinforcing spiritual foundation to Marines of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and reminding our chaplains to “stand and deliver.”

Ready, Engaged, Lethal: I Marine Expeditionary Force Year in Review

Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:06:00 GMT

From the littorals of the Indo-Pacific to the familiar training grounds of Southern California, 2025

Beyond the Uniform: Family, Brotherhood, and Purpose

Lance Cpl. Luke Rodriguez — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:28:00 GMT

Enveloped by steel and surrounded by ocean, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph Newman is dipping into uncharted waters. Aboard the USS Portland, Newman was recently promoted from private first class to lance corporal. The promotion marks a career milestone as he enters the next chapter of his Marine Corps career – deployment. It is an achievement driven by family, shaped by his father’s unfinished journey in the Marine Corps, and carried forward through Newman’s own service.

Blue-green integration: MWSS-372 fuels the joint force at NAWDC 25.3

1stLt Madison Walls — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:21:00 GMT

In a testament to joint force readiness and integration, U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and U.S. Sailors with the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), joined forces during NAWDC 25.3 Oct. 27-31, 2025, across multiple training sites at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The five-day exercise highlighted how combined naval and Marine aviation capabilities enhance the joint force’s ability to project power, sustain sorties, and expand operational reach in contested environments.

15th MEU Organizes Blood Drive, Valkyrie Training Amid Philippines Typhoon Disaster Relief Operations to Bolster Relief Efforts

Capt. Brian Tuthill — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 23:56:00 GMT

U.S. Marines and Sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit coordinated with Philippine medical professionals to organize a life-saving blood drive at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines, on Nov. 14, during the height of activity while supporting foreign disaster relief operations in the Philippines after two consecutive typhoons.

U.S. Military Forces Conclude Disaster Relief Efforts in Philippines Following Typhoons Fung-Wong and Kalmaegi

Courtesy Story — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:06:00 GMT

U.S. military forces from multiple forward-deployed units concluded foreign disaster relief operations following impacts by Typhoons Fung-Wong and Kalmaegi in the Philippines.

The Backbone of OCS III

Cpl. Mary Jenni — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 18:30:27 GMT

As the clamor of power washers, hammers and power drills filled the air, Operation Clean Sweep III was well underway at the 24 Area Bachelor Enlisted Quarters on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. At the center of the bustle was U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hayden Lester, a helicopter mechanic with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 24 Area BEQ.

United States Military Deploys Foreign Disaster Relief Support for the Philippine Response to Successive Storms

Courtesy Story — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:48:00 GMT

At the request of the government of the Philippines, the U.S. military is working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief to communities affected by consecutive Typhoons Kalmaegi (Tino) and Fung-Wong (Uwan), which caused extensive damage and tragic loss of life.

Memorial Honors HMLA-369 ‘Gunfighters’ Fallen Marine

1stLt Madison Walls — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:55:00 GMT

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Tyler R. “Jabroni” Braconi, AH-1Z Viper pilot and operations officer with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, was honored during a memorial ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton on the morning of Nov. 7, 2025.

MRF-D 25.3: Forging a stand-in force legacy

Capt. John Fischer — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:26:00 GMT

U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) set a historic precedent this year for the program and the region. Over the course of a yearlong campaign, the MAGTF that never sleeps, led by “The Old Breed” of 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, transformed MRF-D from a rotational presence in northern Australia into a regionally postured, combat-credible force with reach from the Timor Sea to the Luzon Strait and a level of interchangeability with the ADF and multinational allies and partners that are second to none.