Stories

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro poses for a group photo with Marines after presenting them with challenge coins in recognition of their exemplary performance and outstanding contributions to their units at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 4, 2024. Secretary Del Toro toured the installation to engage with servicemembers and assess ongoing efforts to improve quality of life, operational readiness, and infrastructure at MCAS Miramar. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Santicia Ambriez-Stippey) - Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro poses for a group photo with Marines after presenting them with challenge coins in recognition of their exemplary performance and outstanding contributions to their units at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 4, 2024. Secretary Del Toro toured the installation to engage with servicemembers and assess ongoing efforts to improve quality of life, operational readiness, and infrastructure at MCAS Miramar. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Santicia Ambriez-Stippey)

U.S. Navy Capt. Henry F. Holcombe Jr., chaplain of I Marine Expeditionary Force, welcomes guests to a spouse brunch hosted by I MEF Religious Ministries at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 23, 2024. I MEF Religious Ministries’ spouse brunch brought together spouses of I MEF Marines and Sailors, aligning with the Marine Corps' focus on spiritual fitness as part of overall well-being. Spiritual fitness encompasses personal faith, foundational values, and moral living, fostered through participation in a supportive community, shared sacrifices for a greater cause, and a commitment to honor and character. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erica S. Padgett) - U.S. Navy Capt. Henry F. Holcombe Jr., chaplain of I Marine Expeditionary Force, welcomes guests to a spouse brunch hosted by I MEF Religious Ministries at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 23, 2024. I MEF Religious Ministries’ spouse brunch brought together spouses of I MEF Marines and Sailors, aligning with the Marine Corps' focus on spiritual fitness as part of overall well-being. Spiritual fitness encompasses personal faith, foundational values, and moral living, fostered through participation in a supportive community, shared sacrifices for a greater cause, and a commitment to honor and character. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erica S. Padgett)

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Adam T. Taitano, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion logistics officer along with U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared R. Wilbanks, 1st CEB combat engineer, fix a door lock during Operation Clean Sweep at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024. Operation Clean Sweep is a joint initiative between Marine Corps Installations West and I Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to improve living conditions for Marines and Sailors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jeslianne A. Torres). - U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Adam T. Taitano, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion logistics officer along with U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared R. Wilbanks, 1st CEB combat engineer, fix a door lock during Operation Clean Sweep at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 29, 2024. Operation Clean Sweep is a joint initiative between Marine Corps Installations West and I Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to improve living conditions for Marines and Sailors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jeslianne A. Torres).

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart Glenn, left, commanding officer for Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, poses for a photo with an Indonesian marine with 10th Marine Infantry Battalion, Indonesian Korps Marinir, after a coastal defense exercise during Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2024 on Kabupaten Lingga, Singkep, Indonesia, Nov. 15, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart Glenn, left, commanding officer for Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, poses for a photo with an Indonesian marine with 10th Marine Infantry Battalion, Indonesian Korps Marinir, after a coastal defense exercise during Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2024 on Kabupaten Lingga, Singkep, Indonesia, Nov. 15, 2024. Keris MAREX is a bilateral exercise conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps and Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia, or Indonesian Marine Corps, to strengthen relationships as military partners and increase interoperability among participating forces in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force 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 presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Stringer, a native of Oregon and metal worker with Tactical Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, practices welding techniques on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 30, 2023. Marines with 1st Maintenance Battalion utilize fabrication and additive manufacturing to create innovative plastic and metal parts for mission readiness across the I Marine Expeditionary Force to stay adaptable and efficient. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seaira Moore) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Stringer, a native of Oregon and metal worker with Tactical Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, practices welding techniques on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 30, 2023. Marines with 1st Maintenance Battalion utilize fabrication and additive manufacturing to create innovative plastic and metal parts for mission readiness across the I Marine Expeditionary Force to stay adaptable and efficient. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seaira Moore)

Service members with the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces, along with U.S. Marines attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, pose for a photo for an amphibious planning subject matter expert exchange during exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Malaysia 2024 on Lumut Naval Base, Lumut, Malaysia, Oct. 31, 2024. CARAT Malaysia 2024 highlights the 30th anniversary of CARAT among allies and partners as a way to demonstrate long-term commitment to strengthened relationships throughout South and Southeast Asia and to highlight U.S. commitment to key Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partners to reinforce ASEAN Centrality. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force 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 presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Wilson) - Service members with the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces, along with U.S. Marines attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, pose for a photo for an amphibious planning subject matter expert exchange during exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Malaysia 2024 on Lumut Naval Base, Lumut, Malaysia, Oct. 31, 2024. CARAT Malaysia 2024 highlights the 30th anniversary of CARAT among allies and partners as a way to demonstrate long-term commitment to strengthened relationships throughout South and Southeast Asia and to highlight U.S. commitment to key Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partners to reinforce ASEAN Centrality. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force 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 presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Wilson)

U.S. Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, participates in the 9th Comm barracks initiative on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 20, 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. Fabian Ortiz) - U.S. Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, participates in the 9th Comm barracks initiative on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 20, 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. Fabian Ortiz)

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David Doyle, a preventative medical technician with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, poses for a photo during KAMANDAG 8 at Camp Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Philippines, Oct. 20, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force 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 presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David Doyle, a preventative medical technician with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, poses for a photo during KAMANDAG 8 at Camp Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Philippines, Oct. 20, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force 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 presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Indonesian marines with 10th Marine Infantry Battalion, Indonesian Korps Marinir, stand in formation during the Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2024 Opening Ceremony at Yonif 10 Marinir, Batam, Indonesia, Nov. 6, 2024. Keris MAREX is a bilateral exercise conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps and Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia, or Indonesian Marine Corps, to strengthen relationships as military partners and increase interoperability among participating forces in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force 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 presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Indonesian marines with 10th Marine Infantry Battalion, Indonesian Korps Marinir, stand in formation during the Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2024 Opening Ceremony at Yonif 10 Marinir, Batam, Indonesia, Nov. 6, 2024. Keris MAREX is a bilateral exercise conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps and Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia, or Indonesian Marine Corps, to strengthen relationships as military partners and increase interoperability among participating forces in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force 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 presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

A U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, transporting Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st MARDIV, launches from the well deck of the USS Somerset (LPD 25) as part of Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 28, 2024. QUART is a joint training exercise designed to develop and sustain essential amphibious skills for effective operations in maritime environments while reinforcing the Navy-Marine Corps partnership. As part of QUART, Marines with 3rd AA Bn. were certified to conduct ship-to-shore operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan) - A U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, transporting Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st MARDIV, launches from the well deck of the USS Somerset (LPD 25) as part of Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 28, 2024. QUART is a joint training exercise designed to develop and sustain essential amphibious skills for effective operations in maritime environments while reinforcing the Navy-Marine Corps partnership. As part of QUART, Marines with 3rd AA Bn. were certified to conduct ship-to-shore operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)