Stories

Marines with Weapons Company conduct security patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan - Marines with Weapons Company conduct security patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan

Lance Cpl. Brian Bridges, a mortarman with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force South, and a native of Mansfield, Mass., fires at his target during a live-fire exercise aboard the future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Aug. 15, 2014. The purpose of the exercise was to refresh the Marines on their weapon skills. Training like this ensures that Marines with the SPMAGTF are prepared to provide our nation and partners with the capacity to respond immediately to a multitude of crises. SPMAGTF-South is currently embarked aboard America on her maiden transit, “America Visits the Americas.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released) - Lance Cpl. Brian Bridges, a mortarman with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force South, and a native of Mansfield, Mass., fires at his target during a live-fire exercise aboard the future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Aug. 15, 2014. The purpose of the exercise was to refresh the Marines on their weapon skills. Training like this ensures that Marines with the SPMAGTF are prepared to provide our nation and partners with the capacity to respond immediately to a multitude of crises. SPMAGTF-South is currently embarked aboard America on her maiden transit, “America Visits the Americas.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released)

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus eats dinner with Marines and Sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force South and the future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the mess deck aboard the ship, Aug. 19, 2014. The dinner with the Marines and Sailors allowed for topics of interest to be discussed on a personal level. In addition to dinner, Mabus toured the ship, held an all-hands call to address the crew and attended an ice cream social. Visits like this remind the Marines and Sailors with America and the SPMAGTF of the significance of the work they are doing. SPMAGTF-South is embarked aboard America in support of her maiden transit, “America Visits the Americas.” Through partner-nation activities, theater security events and key leader engagements, the transit aims to demonstrate the flexibility, utility and unparalleled expeditionary capability the Navy-Marine Corps team provides our nation and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Donald Holbert/ Released) - Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus eats dinner with Marines and Sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force South and the future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the mess deck aboard the ship, Aug. 19, 2014. The dinner with the Marines and Sailors allowed for topics of interest to be discussed on a personal level. In addition to dinner, Mabus toured the ship, held an all-hands call to address the crew and attended an ice cream social. Visits like this remind the Marines and Sailors with America and the SPMAGTF of the significance of the work they are doing. SPMAGTF-South is embarked aboard America in support of her maiden transit, “America Visits the Americas.” Through partner-nation activities, theater security events and key leader engagements, the transit aims to demonstrate the flexibility, utility and unparalleled expeditionary capability the Navy-Marine Corps team provides our nation and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Donald Holbert/ Released)

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit pay their respects to those who served in the battle of Iwo Jima on their way toward Mount Suribachi, Iwo To, Japan as part of the MEU’s WESTPAC 14-2 deployment Aug. 16, 2014. The 11th MEU and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group are deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious missions across the full range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Laura Raga/Released) - Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit pay their respects to those who served in the battle of Iwo Jima on their way toward Mount Suribachi, Iwo To, Japan as part of the MEU’s WESTPAC 14-2 deployment Aug. 16, 2014. The 11th MEU and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group are deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious missions across the full range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Laura Raga/Released)

Colonel Vance L. Cryer thanks his Marines for their hard work and dedication to ensuring the successful completion of PANAMAX 14 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 15, 2014. The annual training, sponsored by U.S. Southern Command, focused on responding to requests from the governments of Panama and Colombia to protect and guarantee safe passage of traffic through the Panama Canal, ensure its neutrality, and respect national sovereignty. Cryer, who is from Fort Worth, Texas, is the commanding officer for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released) - Colonel Vance L. Cryer thanks his Marines for their hard work and dedication to ensuring the successful completion of PANAMAX 14 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 15, 2014. The annual training, sponsored by U.S. Southern Command, focused on responding to requests from the governments of Panama and Colombia to protect and guarantee safe passage of traffic through the Panama Canal, ensure its neutrality, and respect national sovereignty. Cryer, who is from Fort Worth, Texas, is the commanding officer for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)

Grenades detonate down range after being thrown by Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 14, 2014. The communications Marines were trained by 1st Marine Division Schools as part of an annual training event to prepare them to react to various combat situations with confidence. - Grenades detonate down range after being thrown by Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 14, 2014. The communications Marines were trained by 1st Marine Division Schools as part of an annual training event to prepare them to react to various combat situations with confidence.

First time partnership for brand-new firefighting training - First time partnership for brand-new firefighting training

1st Marine Regiment cases colors, ends mission in Afghanistan - 1st Marine Regiment cases colors, ends mission in Afghanistan

Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company provide security for units operating in Helmand province, Afghanistan - Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company provide security for units operating in Helmand province, Afghanistan