Stories

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)

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.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, practice handling a simulated enraged enemy during the culminating event of 1st Marine Division Schools’ Urban Leaders Course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 12, 2015. The course is a 15-day period of instruction that includes classwork, combat marksmanship and physical training in a simulated urban combat environment. - Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, practice handling a simulated enraged enemy during the culminating event of 1st Marine Division Schools’ Urban Leaders Course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 12, 2015. The course is a 15-day period of instruction that includes classwork, combat marksmanship and physical training in a simulated urban combat environment.

Staff Sgt. Steve Holland, a team leader, and Gunnery Sgt. Brett Lane, the platoon sergeant for Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare equipment for a fast-roping exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 18, 2015. The exercise was conducted with UH-1Y Huey helicopters operated by Marines with Medium Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I MEF. The cooperation of air and ground elements gives Marines access to obstructed locations and prepares them to face any challenge, anywhere. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Staff Sgt. Steve Holland, a team leader, and Gunnery Sgt. Brett Lane, the platoon sergeant for Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare equipment for a fast-roping exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 18, 2015. The exercise was conducted with UH-1Y Huey helicopters operated by Marines with Medium Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I MEF. The cooperation of air and ground elements gives Marines access to obstructed locations and prepares them to face any challenge, anywhere. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)

One by one, Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command place a battle streamer on the Regimental Colors to symbolize the 7th Marine Regiment’s unit awards during the 98th anniversary ceremony, held in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Aug. 15, 2015. The 7th Marine Regiment Headquarters and 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines are currently deployed with the SPMAGTF-CR-CC and took time to remember the regiment’s storied history and rededicate themselves to their current work with Operation Inherent Resolve. - One by one, Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command place a battle streamer on the Regimental Colors to symbolize the 7th Marine Regiment’s unit awards during the 98th anniversary ceremony, held in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Aug. 15, 2015. The 7th Marine Regiment Headquarters and 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines are currently deployed with the SPMAGTF-CR-CC and took time to remember the regiment’s storied history and rededicate themselves to their current work with Operation Inherent Resolve.

Lance Cpl. Steven Hoggand, a machine gunner and section leader with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, directs his Marines’ fire while suppressing an enemy position during platoon attack drills, July 24, aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Training began for the Marines of Company C with a combined arms fire and maneuver exercise as part of their Integrated Training Exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 16.1 scheduled to depart later this year. - Lance Cpl. Steven Hoggand, a machine gunner and section leader with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, directs his Marines’ fire while suppressing an enemy position during platoon attack drills, July 24, aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Training began for the Marines of Company C with a combined arms fire and maneuver exercise as part of their Integrated Training Exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 16.1 scheduled to depart later this year.

Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct unknown distance shooting during the Pre-Scout Sniper Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 17, 2015. The six-week long course is designed to prepare and screen students for the follow-on training at Scout Sniper Basic School. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released) - Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct unknown distance shooting during the Pre-Scout Sniper Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 17, 2015. The six-week long course is designed to prepare and screen students for the follow-on training at Scout Sniper Basic School. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released)

Lance Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed poses for a photo with a Humvee aboard Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, July 4, 2015. Mohammed is originally from Baghdad and is now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a supply Marine. He is currently deployed as an Arabic interpreter for Task Force Al Taqaddum. - Lance Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed poses for a photo with a Humvee aboard Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, July 4, 2015. Mohammed is originally from Baghdad and is now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a supply Marine. He is currently deployed as an Arabic interpreter for Task Force Al Taqaddum.

A mortarman with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, establishes the direction of fires for his 60 millimeter mortar team during 1/7’s Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., June 9, 2015. Marines from 1/7 and 2nd battalion, 7th Marine Regiment are currently in preparation for deployment with the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) scheduled to depart in support of Operation Inherent Resolve later this year. - A mortarman with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, establishes the direction of fires for his 60 millimeter mortar team during 1/7’s Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., June 9, 2015. Marines from 1/7 and 2nd battalion, 7th Marine Regiment are currently in preparation for deployment with the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) scheduled to depart in support of Operation Inherent Resolve later this year.

Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, members of the Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety and Security team, and Air Force Pararescuemen trained together during Exercise Angel Thunder off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 9-11, 2015. Exercise Angel Thunder is a joint personnel recovery operation designed to provide military branches and partner nations the opportunity to train together in order to prepare for times of war and crisis. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released) - Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, members of the Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety and Security team, and Air Force Pararescuemen trained together during Exercise Angel Thunder off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 9-11, 2015. Exercise Angel Thunder is a joint personnel recovery operation designed to provide military branches and partner nations the opportunity to train together in order to prepare for times of war and crisis. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released)