Stories

Sergeant Andrew Dimauro, the communications chief with Support Assault Arms Liaison Team D, 1st Brigade Platoon, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force, observes targets during an integrated close air support training evolution with units from the U.S. Air Force, aboard Air Force Base Gila Bend, Ariz., Aug. 23-28, 2015. The training improved interoperability between the Marine Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and supporting Air Force units and helped to refined CAS techniques and procedures. - Sergeant Andrew Dimauro, the communications chief with Support Assault Arms Liaison Team D, 1st Brigade Platoon, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force, observes targets during an integrated close air support training evolution with units from the U.S. Air Force, aboard Air Force Base Gila Bend, Ariz., Aug. 23-28, 2015. The training improved interoperability between the Marine Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and supporting Air Force units and helped to refined CAS techniques and procedures.

Lance Cpl. Christopher Treadwell, from Tucson, Arizona, a refrigeration technician with Task Force Al Taqaddum, poses for a photo inside a tent on Al Taqaddum Air Base Iraq, Aug. 25, 2015. Treadwell was among the first Marines to arrive at Al Taqaddum and played a crucial role in the set up and powering of the base. - Lance Cpl. Christopher Treadwell, from Tucson, Arizona, a refrigeration technician with Task Force Al Taqaddum, poses for a photo inside a tent on Al Taqaddum Air Base Iraq, Aug. 25, 2015. Treadwell was among the first Marines to arrive at Al Taqaddum and played a crucial role in the set up and powering of the base.

Mexican Navy sailors stand in formation on the deck of Mexican ship ARM Usumacinta during a media visit held in conjunction with Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015, Sept. 6. Mexican Naval Forces are participating as observers in Exercise Dawn Blitz for the first time in 2015, with the hope of developing a stronger and more effective amphibious presence. - Mexican Navy sailors stand in formation on the deck of Mexican ship ARM Usumacinta during a media visit held in conjunction with Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015, Sept. 6. Mexican Naval Forces are participating as observers in Exercise Dawn Blitz for the first time in 2015, with the hope of developing a stronger and more effective amphibious presence.

Marines with Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conduct blow-in-place operations during Exercise Pioneer Express aboard Camp Roberts, Calif., Sept. 4, 2014. The exercise provides an opportunity for both individual and collective training for the Marines and the unit and ensures they remain equipped, ready and relevant for future operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Marines with Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conduct blow-in-place operations during Exercise Pioneer Express aboard Camp Roberts, Calif., Sept. 4, 2014. The exercise provides an opportunity for both individual and collective training for the Marines and the unit and ensures they remain equipped, ready and relevant for future operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)

Students of the Field Medical Service Technician Course set off on a 6-mile hike aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 1, 2015. The hike is one of three hikes that every student must complete on their journey to becoming a “greenside” corpsman, working side- by-side and caring for Marines. (Photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss/Released) - Students of the Field Medical Service Technician Course set off on a 6-mile hike aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 1, 2015. The hike is one of three hikes that every student must complete on their journey to becoming a “greenside” corpsman, working side- by-side and caring for Marines. (Photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss/Released)

A Marine with 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and a Japanese soldier shake hands prior to the start of a live-fire shoot together during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 at San Clemente Island, California, Sept. 1, 2015. ANGLICO Marines and Japanese soldiers conducted a combined arms shoot with naval gunfire, attack rotary aircraft and 120mm mortars. Dawn Blitz is a multinational training exercise designed to enhance Expeditionary Strike Group Three and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s ability to conduct sea-basing operations, amphibious landings, and command and control capabilities alongside Japan, Mexico and New Zealand. - A Marine with 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldier shake hands prior to the start of a live-fire shoot together during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 at San Clemente Island, California, Sept. 1, 2015. ANGLICO Marines and the JGSDF conducted a combined arms shoot with naval gunfire, attack rotary aircraft and 120mm mortars. Dawn Blitz is a multinational training exercise designed to enhance Expeditionary Strike Group Three and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s ability to conduct sea-basing operations, amphibious landings, and command and control capabilities alongside Japan, Mexico and New Zealand.

Ships from Expeditionary Strike Group Three, Japanese and Mexican naval ships conducted a strait transit during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015, Sept. 2, 2015. Dawn Blitz is a multinational amphibious training exercise held off the coast and ashore of Southern California which included ESG-3 and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade as well as Japan, Mexico, New Zealand participants and observers from Australia, Colombia and Chile. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. April L. Price/Released) - Ships from Expeditionary Strike Group Three, Japanese and Mexican naval ships conducted a strait transit during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015, Sept. 2, 2015. Dawn Blitz is a multinational amphibious training exercise held off the coast and ashore of Southern California which included ESG-3 and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade as well as Japan, Mexico, New Zealand participants and observers from Australia, Colombia and Chile. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. April L. Price/Released)

The U.S. Secretary of Defense, the honorable Mr. Ashton Carter congratulates a young reconnaissance Marine on a job well done following a combined arms raid aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 27, 2015. Carter met with senior military leaders and service members and witnessed ship-to-shore operations, a capability synonymous with Navy and Marine Corps teams in order to assess the need to better support military capabilities. - The U.S. Secretary of Defense, the honorable Mr. Ashton Carter congratulates a young reconnaissance Marine on a job well done following a combined arms raid aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 27, 2015. Carter met with senior military leaders and service members and witnessed ship-to-shore operations, a capability synonymous with Navy and Marine Corps teams in order to assess the need to better support military capabilities.

A security forces Marine with Marine Wing Support Squadron-371, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force--Crisis Response--Central Command fires after transitioning to his pistol during a live-fire, combat maneuver range in Southwest Asia, August 19, 2015. The live-fire range is designed to emulate realistic combat conditions and force Marines to shoot, move, and communicate to overcome targets at an unknown distance. - A security forces Marine with Marine Wing Support Squadron-371, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force--Crisis Response--Central Command fires after transitioning to his pistol during a live-fire, combat maneuver range in Southwest Asia, August 19, 2015. The live-fire range is designed to emulate realistic combat conditions and force Marines to shoot, move, and communicate to overcome targets at an unknown distance.

Corporal John Graham, a gunner with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, aims a dummy FIM-92 anti-aircraft weapon during a convoy air-defense exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 25, 2015. The exercise gave the Marines the opportunity to work with a simulated enemy aircraft, an AH-1Z Cobra helicopter provided by Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd MAW. Realistic training allows Marines to remain effective in increasingly complex environments around the world. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Corporal John Graham, a gunner with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, aims a dummy FIM-92 anti-aircraft weapon during a convoy air-defense exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 25, 2015. The exercise gave the Marines the opportunity to work with a simulated enemy aircraft, an AH-1Z Cobra helicopter provided by Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd MAW. Realistic training allows Marines to remain effective in increasingly complex environments around the world. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)