Stories

Jony, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois and specialized search and explosive detection dog, hides out in the shade at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 25, 2013. Jony, who went through a surgery the day before, is preparing to be adopted by his handler, Sgt. Brian Riddle, a military working dog handler with Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion. - Jony, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois and specialized search and explosive detection dog, hides out in the shade at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 25, 2013. Jony, who went through a surgery the day before, is preparing to be adopted by his handler, Sgt. Brian Riddle, a military working dog handler with Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion.

Lt. Col. Ahmed Williamson, the commanding officer of 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, receives the Small Unit Volunteer of the Year award on behalf of his battalion at the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 25. The 9th Comm. Bn., Marines accumulated more than 3,200 hours of service while volunteering with Fallbrook Veterans of Foreign Wars, Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA, and various community outreach programs. - Lt. Col. Ahmed Williamson, the commanding officer of 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, receives the Small Unit Volunteer of the Year award on behalf of his battalion at the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 25. The 9th Comm. Bn., Marines accumulated more than 3,200 hours of service while volunteering with Fallbrook Veterans of Foreign Wars, Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA, and various community outreach programs.

I Marine Expeditionary Force Logo - I Marine Expeditionary Force Logo

A battle cross sits on display before the Regional Command (Southwest) memorial service at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 11. The service memorialized the 76 service members who were killed while conducting combat operations during the deployment for I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Afghanistan 2012-2013. - A battle cross sits on display before the Regional Command (Southwest) memorial service at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 11. The service memorialized the 76 service members who were killed while conducting combat operations during the deployment for I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Afghanistan 2012-2013.

A battle cross sits on display before the Regional Command (Southwest) memorial service at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 11. The service memorialized the 76 service members who were killed while conducting combat operations during the deployment for I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Afghanistan 2012-2013. - A battle cross sits on display before the Regional Command (Southwest) memorial service at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 11. The service memorialized the 76 service members who were killed while conducting combat operations during the deployment for I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Afghanistan 2012-2013.

Holly Petraeus, the assistant director for the Office of Servicemember Affairs of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, addresses the crowd during a town hall meeting on Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 12. Petraeus touched on many subjects to include the scams used to defraud service members, programs available to aid veterans and their families and ways to enhance financial stability. - Holly Petraeus, the assistant director for the Office of Servicemember Affairs of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, addresses the crowd during a town hall meeting on Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 12. Petraeus touched on many subjects to include the scams used to defraud service members, programs available to aid veterans and their families and ways to enhance financial stability.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Pasquale Antonio Troisi Jr., 31, from Abington, Pa., died of complications from 2nd and 3rd degree burns sustained while on leave in Philadelphia, March 18. Troisi was a religious program specialist stationed at Camp Pendleton and assigned to 9th Communication Battalion, which recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Pasquale Antonio Troisi Jr., 31, from Abington, Pa., died of complications from 2nd and 3rd degree burns sustained while on leave in Philadelphia, March 18. Troisi was a religious program specialist stationed at Camp Pendleton and assigned to 9th Communication Battalion, which recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Charles Melber, an armory custodian with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, swims while wearing a full pack during swim qualification at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 4. The swimming qualification is a required annual training for Marines. Melber, 19, is from Pensacola, Fla. - Lance Cpl. Charles Melber, an armory custodian with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, swims while wearing a full pack during swim qualification at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 4. The swimming qualification is a required annual training for Marines. Melber, 19, is from Pensacola, Fla.

A Navy corpsman with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, provides security while Marines rescue a simulated downed pilot during Tactical Rescue of Aircraft Personnel training, at Camp Pendleton, March 21. During the TRAP mission instructors with Special Operations Training Group observed and monitored how the Marines reacted to multiple combat scenarios. The TRAP mission provides Marines with real world scenarios to prepare them for deployment. - A Navy corpsman with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, provides security while Marines rescue a simulated downed pilot during Tactical Rescue of Aircraft Personnel training, at Camp Pendleton, March 21. During the TRAP mission instructors with Special Operations Training Group observed and monitored how the Marines reacted to multiple combat scenarios. The TRAP mission provides Marines with real world scenarios to prepare them for deployment.

Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr., the commanding officer of I Marine Expeditionary Force, views a medical display at Field Medical Training Battalion West, following a graduation ceremony for Navy corpsmen at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 22. - Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr., the commanding officer of I Marine Expeditionary Force, views a medical display at Field Medical Training Battalion West, following a graduation ceremony for Navy corpsmen at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 22.