Stories

Navajo Code Talker Samuel T. Holiday poses with his son, Ricky Gray, and 1st Sgt. Christina Hunts Horse-May, first sergeant for Company C, 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, during a visit to a static display held by 9th Comm. Bn. aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 28, 2015. The visit allowed for the Marines to showcase their communications capabilities and build a bond between them and the Code Talkers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Devan K. Gowans) - Navajo Code Talker Samuel T. Holiday poses with his son, Ricky Gray, and 1st Sgt. Christina Hunts Horse-May, first sergeant for Company C, 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, during a visit to a static display held by 9th Comm. Bn. aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 28, 2015. The visit allowed for the Marines to showcase their communications capabilities and build a bond between them and the Code Talkers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Devan K. Gowans)

Marines with Company B, 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Headquarters Group, carry a power source during a communications exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 22, 2015. During the COMMEX, the Marines received training through hands-on application in establishing clear radio communications which are essential to the command element on the battlefield. (USMC photo by Pfc. Devan Gowans) - Marines with Company B, 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Headquarters Group, carry a power source during a communications exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 22, 2015. During the COMMEX, the Marines received training through hands-on application in establishing clear radio communications which are essential to the command element on the battlefield. (USMC photo by Pfc. Devan Gowans)

Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force work together with personnel with various units in 1st Marine Division, in the course of a period of instruction on radio waves during a high frequency communications training exercise aboard Air Force Base Gila Bend, Ariz., Aug. 24, 2015. Marines from different units within I MEF worked together to practice operating different types of communications assets in the HF circuit in order to improve their skills. - Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force work together with personnel with various units in 1st Marine Division, in the course of a period of instruction on radio waves during a high frequency communications training exercise aboard Air Force Base Gila Bend, Ariz., Aug. 24, 2015. Marines from different units within I MEF worked together to practice operating different types of communications assets in the HF circuit in order to improve their skills.

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.

Rosamond, Calif., native, Gunnery Sgt. Pedro “Pete” Lujan, the cyber security chief for 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, is joined by his family during his retirement ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 21, 2015. Lujan’s wife, Christina, has been with him since their freshman year of high school and they have been married for approximately 19 years. Lujan’s family has supported him through approximately five years’ worth of deployments throughout his 20-year career. - Rosamond, Calif., native, Gunnery Sgt. Pedro “Pete” Lujan, the cyber security chief for 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, is joined by his family during his retirement ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 21, 2015. Lujan’s wife, Christina, has been with him since their freshman year of high school and they have been married for approximately 19 years. Lujan’s family has supported him through approximately five years’ worth of deployments throughout his 20-year career.

Sergeant Maj. Darryl Sisneros, the sergeant major of I Marine Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and the president of the mess, presents a token of appreciation to the guest of honor, Col. James H. Herrera, the I MHG commanding officer, during a mess night in Carlsbad, California, June 18, 2015. Sisneros described mess night as a time for Marines to strengthen the customs and traditions of the corps and reaffirm their common bonds as Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Sergeant Maj. Darryl Sisneros, the sergeant major of I Marine Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and the president of the mess, presents a token of appreciation to the guest of honor, Col. James H. Herrera, the I MHG commanding officer, during a mess night in Carlsbad, California, June 18, 2015. Sisneros described mess night as a time for Marines to strengthen the customs and traditions of the corps and reaffirm their common bonds as Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)

Lieutenant Col. Damon K. Burrows, left, the newly-appointed commanding officer of 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, receives the battalion colors from Lt. Col. Matthew R. Simmons, outgoing commanding officer, during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 4, 2015. Burrows most recently served as the assistant chief of staff, G-6, for the 1st Marine Logistics Group, I MEF, and said he plans to increase the battalion’s cyber operations presence and effectiveness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Lieutenant Col. Damon K. Burrows, left, the newly-appointed commanding officer of 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, receives the battalion colors from Lt. Col. Matthew R. Simmons, outgoing commanding officer, during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 4, 2015. Burrows most recently served as the assistant chief of staff, G-6, for the 1st Marine Logistics Group, I MEF, and said he plans to increase the battalion’s cyber operations presence and effectiveness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)

Rounds fired from a Canadian Armed Forces aircraft impact on targets during Exercise Maple Resolve 2015 at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Center, Camp Wainwright, Alberta, May 5, 2015. The Marines and Sailors of 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group teamed up with members of the Canadian Armed Forces and conducted a series of close air support missions from fixed and rotary wing aircraft using live munitions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Bobbie Curtis) - Rounds fired from a Canadian Armed Forces aircraft impact on targets during Exercise Maple Resolve 2015 at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Center, Camp Wainwright, Alberta, May 5, 2015. The Marines and Sailors of 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group teamed up with members of the Canadian Armed Forces and conducted a series of close air support missions from fixed and rotary wing aircraft using live munitions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Bobbie Curtis)

Sgt. Timothy Shirey, the data chief with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, evaluates and checks signal strength on a Rapid Response Kit during Exercise Maple Resolve 15 aboard Camp Wainwright Canadian Maneuver Training Center, Alberta, May 3, 2015. The Marines used the exercise to develop a knowledge platform to train for future operations and integrate with allied forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Owen Kimbrel) - Sgt. Timothy Shirey, the data chief with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, evaluates and checks signal strength on a Rapid Response Kit during Exercise Maple Resolve 15 aboard Camp Wainwright Canadian Maneuver Training Center, Alberta, May 3, 2015. The Marines used the exercise to develop a knowledge platform to train for future operations and integrate with allied forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Owen Kimbrel)

The view outside of the exercise command post prior to the launch of Exercise Maple Resolve 15 at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Center, Camp Wainwright, Alberta, April 30, 2015. The multi-national exercise, conducted annually by the Canadian Army, is a three-week high-readiness validation exercise for Canadian Army elements designated for domestic or international operations. This year, the 1st Canadian Army Division and the 5th Canadian Mechanized Battle Group (5 CMBBG) are being supported by the British 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade, various U.S. Army elements, and for the first time, members of I MEF’s 1st ANGLICO who bring a unique capability to the table. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Owen Kimbrel) - The view outside of the exercise command post prior to the launch of Exercise Maple Resolve 15 at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Center, Camp Wainwright, Alberta, April 30, 2015. The multi-national exercise, conducted annually by the Canadian Army, is a three-week high-readiness validation exercise for Canadian Army elements designated for domestic or international operations. This year, the 1st Canadian Army Division and the 5th Canadian Mechanized Battle Group (5 CMBBG) are being supported by the British 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade, various U.S. Army elements, and for the first time, members of I MEF’s 1st ANGLICO who bring a unique capability to the table. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Owen Kimbrel)