Stories

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, and Philippine Marines with 3rd Brigade set security during KAMANDAG 9 at Oyster Bay, Palawan, Philippines, June 11, 2025. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps 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. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anita Ramos) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, and Philippine Marines with 3rd Brigade set security during KAMANDAG 9 at Oyster Bay, Palawan, Philippines, June 11, 2025. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps 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. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anita Ramos)

U.S. and Malaysian Armed Forces service members pose for a group photo during the Bersama Warrior 25 opening ceremony at the Joint Warfighting Center, Kuantan, Malaysia, June 17, 2025. - U.S. and Malaysian Armed Forces service members pose for a group photo during the Bersama Warrior 25 opening ceremony at the Joint Warfighting Center, Kuantan, Malaysia, June 17, 2025. Bersama Warrior is an annual, bilateral joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces. This year marks the 11th iteration of the exercise, and the first time MRF-D is participating, enhancing U.S. and Malaysian defense readiness and improving combined joint interoperability. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (Courtesy photo provided by the Malaysian Armed Forces)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jonathan Berklich, a ground intelligence officer with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, conducts planning with members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, June 1, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jonathan Berklich, a ground intelligence officer with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, conducts planning with members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, June 1, 2025. Southern Jackaroo is an annual exercise held between the U.S. Marine Corps, Australian Defence Force, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force designed to enhance interoperability and combined readiness with Allies and partners. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. Berklich is a native of Michigan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, participate in a regimental run during a Reckless Rodeo event on Camp Pendleton, California, May 22, 2025. - U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, participate in a regimental run during a Reckless Rodeo event on Camp Pendleton, California, May 22, 2025. The Reckless Rodeo was created to build camaraderie, strengthen team spirit, and honor the 'Reckless' tradition. This event is named after Staff Sgt. Reckless, a decorated war horse who served with the U.S. Marine Corps in many combat missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kiana Rose Orinion)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, prepare to board an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363, MRF-D, during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, May 28, 2025. - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, prepare to board an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363, MRF-D, during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, May 28, 2025. Southern Jackaroo is an annual exercise held between the U.S. Marine Corps, Australian Defence Force, and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force designed to enhance interoperability and combined readiness with Allies and partners. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

The amphibious landing dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) prepares to receive a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper for deck landing qualifications during Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training 25.3 at off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 3, 2025. - The amphibious landing dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) prepares to receive a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper for deck landing qualifications during Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training 25.3 at off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 3, 2025. QUART is a joint training exercise designed to develop and sustain essential amphibious readiness skills for effective operations in maritime environments while reinforcing the Navy-Marine Corps partnership. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Patrick Katz)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christian Diaz, a satellite transmission systems operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 25.3, poses for a photo at Palawan, Philippines, during Exercise KAMANDAG 9, May 25, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christian Diaz, a satellite transmission systems operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 25.3, poses for a photo at Palawan, Philippines, during Exercise KAMANDAG 9, May 25, 2025. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps 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. MRF-D 25.3 is part of an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and Allies and partners and provide a forward-postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. Diaz is a native of Florida. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Keegan Jones)

Leaders from the Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self Defense Force pose for a photo during the KAMANDAG 9 opening ceremony at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, May 26, 2025. - Leaders from the Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self Defense Force pose for a photo during the KAMANDAG 9 opening ceremony at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, May 26, 2025. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps 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. (Courtesy photo provided by the Japan Ground Self Defense Force)

U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, and members of the United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard point out targets during United Arab Emirates Unit Enhancement Training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 8, 2025. - U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, and members of the United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard point out targets during United Arab Emirates Unit Enhancement Training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 8, 2025. The training aims to strengthen partner relations and enhance the UAE Presidential Guard’s understanding of Marine Corps tactics and procedures for indirect fire and close air support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ricardo Ramirez)

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jeremy Winters, left, the deputy commanding general of operations for Joint Task Force - Southern Border, and Maj. Gen. Thomas B. Savage, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, bow their heads during the benediction at the memorial service of two fallen Marines at the chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, May 22, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jeremy Winters, left, the deputy commanding general of operations for Joint Task Force - Southern Border, and Maj. Gen. Thomas B. Savage, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, bow their heads during the benediction at the memorial service of two fallen Marines at the chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, May 22, 2025. The memorial service was held in honor of Lance Cpl. Albert A. Aguilera and Lance Cpl. Marcelino M. Gamino, who lost their lives in the line of duty April 15, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nataly Espitia)