Stories

U.S. Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, pose for a photo while disposing of mortar increments during the Marine final exercise at Ban Chan Khrem, Chanthaburi, Thailand, March 6, 2025, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2025. Cobra Gold is the largest joint and combined exercise in mainland Asia, held annually in Thailand, showcasing the U.S. commitment to the region by building interoperability, multilateral cooperative arrangements, and advancing common interests through a commitment to allies and partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - U.S. Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, pose for a photo while disposing of mortar increments during the Marine final exercise at Ban Chan Khrem, Chanthaburi, Thailand, March 6, 2025, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2025. Cobra Gold is the largest joint and combined exercise in mainland Asia, held annually in Thailand, showcasing the U.S. commitment to the region by building interoperability, multilateral cooperative arrangements, and advancing common interests through a commitment to allies and partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

U.S. Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, alongside service members with the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, and Republic of Korea Marines, participate in a cyber exercise during Exercise Cobra Gold 2025, March 4, 2025. - U.S. Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, alongside service members with the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, and Republic of Korea Marines, participate in a cyber exercise during Exercise Cobra Gold 2025, March 4, 2025. The exercise focused on building and improving basic defensive cyber capabilities critical for enabling integrated deterrence against threat cyber operations. Cobra Gold is the largest joint and combined exercise in mainland Asia, held annually in Thailand, showcasing the U.S. commitment to the region by building interoperability, multilateral cooperative arrangements, and advancing common interests through our commitment to allies and partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (Courtesy Asset)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Matthew J. Fouss stands during the presentation of “Old Glory” as a part of his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Matthew J. Fouss stands during the presentation of “Old Glory” as a part of his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2025. Fouss, the outgoing sergeant major of 1st Marine Division, retired after serving 30 years in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by. Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group power wash a basketball court outside of the barracks during Operation Clean Sweep at Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 16, 2024. - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group power wash a basketball court outside of the barracks during Operation Clean Sweep at Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 16, 2024. Operation Clean Sweep is the first step in a larger Barracks 360 Reset initiative, which aims to improve the living conditions and operational readiness of Marines and Sailors through increased oversight by command teams, a dedicated effort to reduce the maintenance backlog and shared ownership of the barracks. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Deja Rogers)

U.S. Marines, with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and service members from the Royal Thai Marine Corps and Republic of Korea Marine Corps conduct a live-fire short bay range at Thai Reconnaissance Battalion, Sattahip, Thailand, Feb. 28, 2025, during exercise Cobra Gold. - U.S. Marines, with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and service members from the Royal Thai Marine Corps and Republic of Korea Marine Corps conduct a live-fire short bay range at Thai Reconnaissance Battalion, Sattahip, Thailand, Feb. 28, 2025, during exercise Cobra Gold. U.S. Marines, alongside Thai and Republic of Korea, conducted a live-fire short bay range during Cobra Gold, the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia, highlighting the strong partnership between Thailand and the United States while fostering cooperation with allied and partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jessi Stegall)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, gives remarks during the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Commander’s Course tour of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) at Naval Base San Diego, California, Feb. 26, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, gives remarks during the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Commander’s Course tour of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) at Naval Base San Diego, California, Feb. 26, 2025. The Commander's Course brought together leadership from across 3rd MAW to explore key topics ranging from science and technology, safety and unit culture, fostering readiness for future challenges, and enhancing understanding of the MAW's critical role in supporting I Marine Expeditionary Force objectives and the joint force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Troy J. Garza, a communication strategy and operations officer with I Marine Expeditionary Force, poses for a photo as the recipient of the 1st Lt. Shaun M. Blue Leadership Trophy during the 2025 Marine Corps Association West Coast Dinner at Cape Ray Carlsbad Resort in Carlsbad, California, Jan. 30, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Troy J. Garza, a communication strategy and operations officer with I Marine Expeditionary Force, poses for a photo as the recipient of the 1st Lt. Shaun M. Blue Leadership Trophy during the 2025 Marine Corps Association West Coast Dinner at Cape Ray Carlsbad Resort in Carlsbad, California, Jan. 30, 2025. The annual MCA West Coast Dinner connects service members, veterans and friends of the West Coast Corps communities. This year, the MCA awarded their annual 1st Lt. Shaun M. Blue Leadership Trophy at the dinner to honor a lieutenant who embodies patriotic and selfless service, traits exemplified by Blue. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erica S. Padgett)

An F-35C Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, during a Large Force Exercise conducted by MAG-11 and MAG-13 on Jan. 15, 2025. LFE is a high-fidelity combat training event over the Southern California coast, incorporating defensive counter-air and air interdiction missions. The exercise provides pilots with invaluable experience in mission planning and execution, including opportunities to serve as division leads or mission commanders. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis Ibarra) - An F-35C Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, during a Large Force Exercise conducted by MAG-11 and MAG-13 on Jan. 15, 2025. LFE is a high-fidelity combat training event over the Southern California coast, incorporating defensive counter-air and air interdiction missions. The exercise provides pilots with invaluable experience in mission planning and execution, including opportunities to serve as division leads or mission commanders. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis Ibarra)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Matthew J. Fouss stands during the presentation of “Old Glory” as a part of his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Matthew J. Fouss stands during the presentation of “Old Glory” as a part of his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2025. Fouss, the outgoing sergeant major of 1st Marine Division, retired after serving 30 years in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by. Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa)

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom, left, and AH-1Z Viper conduct a fly-over during the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2025. - A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom, left, and AH-1Z Viper conduct a fly-over during the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2025. During the ceremony, Col. Sean Dynan relinquished command of the 15th MEU to Col. Robb McDonald. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Patrick Katz)