Stories

Marines with 1st Air Delivery platoon conducted static line jumping out of a CH-46 Sea Knight aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 5, 2014. The Marines conducted two day jumps and two night jumps at around 1,500 feet. Three Marines jumped with full combat gear in order to complete the requirements for their gold wings. - Marines with 1st Air Delivery platoon conducted static line jumping out of a CH-46 Sea Knight aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 5, 2014. The Marines conducted two day jumps and two night jumps at around 1,500 feet. Three Marines jumped with full combat gear in order to complete the requirements for their gold wings.

A Marine from 1st Reconnaissance Battalion fires breaching rounds into a door hinge during a Methods of Entry proficiency training exercise aboard Camp Pendleton Calif., June 10. During the exercise, raid scenarios were tailored for the event to keep the Marines in an operational mindset while honing their skill set for future deployments as the Maritime Raid Force in support of Marine Expeditionary Units. - A Marine from 1st Reconnaissance Battalion fires breaching rounds into a door hinge during a Methods of Entry proficiency training exercise aboard Camp Pendleton Calif., June 10. During the exercise, raid scenarios were tailored for the event to keep the Marines in an operational mindset while honing their skill set for future deployments as the Maritime Raid Force in support of Marine Expeditionary Units.

Sergeant Frederick Cain, a civil affairs specialist 1st Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, prepares to practice a technique to limit erosion at the San Diego Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, Calif., June 10, 2014. The exercise was part of the Agricultural Development for Armed Forces Pre-Deployment Training preparing Marines to deploy to Southeast Asia. - Sergeant Frederick Cain, a civil affairs specialist 1st Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, prepares to practice a technique to limit erosion at the San Diego Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, Calif., June 10, 2014. The exercise was part of the Agricultural Development for Armed Forces Pre-Deployment Training preparing Marines to deploy to Southeast Asia.

Marines with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, line up to approach a battle cross in memory of Lance Cpl. Matthew Rodriguez after a memorial service aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 11, 2014. Rodriguez was killed in action on Dec. 11, 2013, while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle. - Marines with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, line up to approach a battle cross in memory of Lance Cpl. Matthew Rodriguez after a memorial service aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 11, 2014. Rodriguez was killed in action on Dec. 11, 2013, while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle.

Lt. Col. Tres Smith, the off going commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, and Lt. Col. Jamey Federico, the new commanding officer of HMLA-369, salute as squadron Marines perform the pass and review portion of the change of command ceremony which took place at the HMLA-369 hangar aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 6, 2014. During the pass and review, all previous commanding officers of the unit were invited to stand with the new and former commanding officers. - Lt. Col. Tres Smith, the off going commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, and Lt. Col. Jamey Federico, the new commanding officer of HMLA-369, salute as squadron Marines perform the pass and review portion of the change of command ceremony which took place at the HMLA-369 hangar aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 6, 2014. During the pass and review, all previous commanding officers of the unit were invited to stand with the new and former commanding officers.

A killed in action memorial bracelet, belonging to Salvador Diaz Jr., Father of Staff Sgt. Christopher Diaz, a dog handler with III Marine Expeditionary Force, is staged during a retirement and adoption ceremony at a kennel aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 7, 2014. Staff Sgt. Diaz triggered an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province, Afghanistan while trying to save another Marine’s life. Since the passing of their son, the Diaz family has waited 3 years to adopt Dino, their son’s military working dog. - A killed in action memorial bracelet, belonging to Salvador Diaz Jr., Father of Staff Sgt. Christopher Diaz, a dog handler with III Marine Expeditionary Force, is staged during a retirement and adoption ceremony at a kennel aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 7, 2014. Staff Sgt. Diaz triggered an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province, Afghanistan while trying to save another Marine’s life. Since the passing of their son, the Diaz family has waited 3 years to adopt Dino, their son’s military working dog.

The guidon for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 flies for the last time just before a midnight transfer of authority ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 23, 2014. Since Vietnam, the “Gunfighters” of HMLA-369 have proven themselves a versatile unit ready to support the Marine Air Ground Task Force time and again in combat and humanitarian efforts around the globe. Their final missions complete in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the squadron from Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., transferred authority to HMLA-467, currently deployed from MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released) - The guidon for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 flies for the last time just before a midnight transfer of authority ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 23, 2014. Since Vietnam, the “Gunfighters” of HMLA-369 have proven themselves a versatile unit ready to support the Marine Air Ground Task Force time and again in combat and humanitarian efforts around the globe. Their final missions complete in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the squadron from Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., transferred authority to HMLA-467, currently deployed from MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By: Sgt. Frances Johnson/Released)

Corporal Jonathan Hollis, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is currently deployed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Hollis, an anti-tank missileman with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, earned a combat meritorious promotion to corporal, June 2, 2014.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released) - Corporal Jonathan Hollis, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is currently deployed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Hollis, an anti-tank missileman with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, earned a combat meritorious promotion to corporal, June 2, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Scanlan / released)

Petty Officer 2nd Class David Tadlock, a religious program specialist with Regional Command (Southwest), teaches Marines about the effects of stress during an Operational Stress Control and Readiness class aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 29, 2014. During the OSCAR class, Marines discussed the signs of high-level stress and proper paths to treat the symptoms and get the individual back on track. - Petty Officer 2nd Class David Tadlock, a religious program specialist with Regional Command (Southwest), teaches Marines about the effects of stress during an Operational Stress Control and Readiness class aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 29, 2014. During the OSCAR class, Marines discussed the signs of high-level stress and proper paths to treat the symptoms and get the individual back on track.

Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, gather around a bonfire during the annual Highlander Games Warrior Night aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jun 5, 2014. During the traditional event, Marines shared dinner, competed on the Highlander Games and enjoyed each other’s company while building camaraderie and esprit de corps. - Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, gather around a bonfire during the annual Highlander Games Warrior Night aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jun 5, 2014. During the traditional event, Marines shared dinner, competed on the Highlander Games and enjoyed each other’s company while building camaraderie and esprit de corps.