Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Rigby, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, looks out the back of an MV-22B Osprey during the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Rigby, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, looks out the back of an MV-22B Osprey during the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. MRF-D’s participation in the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast demonstrates the United States Marine Corps’ commitment to international partnerships and highlights the close military ties between the United States and Australia, fostering interoperability and cooperation between their armed forces. Rigby is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton)

U.S. Air National Guardsman with 446th Airlift Wing, a Royal Australian Airforce Airman with 24th Squadron, and U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, guide an LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle out of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III during Rapid Deployment Exercise at Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh, Australia, July 11, 2024. REDEX is a 1st MARDIV training exercise, with this year’s iteration planned in conjunction with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, to rehearse the ability to rapidly deploy capabilities from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, U.S., to Australia. 1st LAR tested the logistical efficiency and unit readiness required to rapidly deploy a heavy equipment unit within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command theater by strategic lift and rail to participate in Exercise Predator’s Run 24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton) - U.S. Air National Guardsman with 446th Airlift Wing, a Royal Australian Airforce Airman with 24th Squadron, and U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, guide an LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle out of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III during Rapid Deployment Exercise at Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh, Australia, July 11, 2024. REDEX is a 1st MARDIV training exercise, with this year’s iteration planned in conjunction with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, to rehearse the ability to rapidly deploy capabilities from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, U.S., to Australia. 1st LAR tested the logistical efficiency and unit readiness required to rapidly deploy a heavy equipment unit within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command theater by strategic lift and rail to participate in Exercise Predator’s Run 24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. AnnaLina Hill, an ammunition technician with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, poses for a photo following her reenlistment ceremony at the Battle of Bloody Ridge memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Aug. 8, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. AnnaLina Hill, an ammunition technician with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, poses for a photo following her reenlistment ceremony at the Battle of Bloody Ridge memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Aug. 8, 2024. Hill reenlisted during a visit to the Solomon Islands. Marines visited to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal, and served to honor the fallen and strengthen the U.S. relationship with the Solomon Islands and other Pacific allies and partners. The historic battle was codenamed Operation Watchtower and was the first major offensive and decisive victory for the allied forces in the Pacific theater. Hill is a native of Kentucky. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kassie McDole)

A graphic produced in Adobe InDesign 2021 to accompany a story about U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jesse Ojeda, a squad leader with Alpha Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 17, 2024. - A graphic produced in Adobe InDesign 2021 to accompany a story about U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jesse Ojeda, a squad leader with Alpha Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 17, 2024. Ojeda grew up in the Netherlands after his father retired from the U.S. Air Force until he joined the Marine Corps and moved to the United States. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Sgt. Alexandra Munoz)

Service members from the United States, Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024. - Service members from the United States, Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024. Exercise Predator’s Run 24 is a littoral-focused, multilateral training exercise led by the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade, involving the Australian Defence Force, British Armed Forces, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3’s participation in Exercise Predator’s Run 24 increases interoperability with Allies and partners, highlighting the effectiveness of combined operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, left, and Maj. Gen. Robert C. Fulford, the outgoing and incoming commanding generals of 1st Marine Division, salute during a pass in review as part of the division’s change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 2, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, left, and Maj. Gen. Robert C. Fulford, the outgoing and incoming commanding generals of 1st Marine Division, salute during a pass in review as part of the division’s change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 2, 2024. During the ceremony, Watson relinquished command of the division to Fulford. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cameron Hermanet)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jaye Townsend, left, a combat videographer with 1st Marine Division, and Sgt. Jack Townsend, a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st MARDIV, pose for a photo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 23, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jaye Townsend, left, a combat videographer with 1st Marine Division, and Sgt. Jack Townsend, a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st MARDIV, pose for a photo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 23, 2024. Jaye and Jack are twins who joined the Marine Corps weeks apart and are both stationed on the West Coast. The Townsends are natives of St. Louis Park, Minnesota. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Willow Marshall)

U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), and Philippine Marines pose for a photo during the littoral live-fire exercise for Marine Aviation Support Activity 24 at San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines, June 15, 2024. The LLFX showcased the integrated command and control capabilities of the U.S. and Philippine armed forces in a territorial defense scenario featuring a coordinated bilateral surface and maritime strike. MASA is an annual Philippine-U.S. military exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo) - U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), and Philippine Marines pose for a photo during the littoral live-fire exercise for Marine Aviation Support Activity 24 at San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines, June 15, 2024. The LLFX showcased the integrated command and control capabilities of the U.S. and Philippine armed forces in a territorial defense scenario featuring a coordinated bilateral surface and maritime strike. MASA is an annual Philippine-U.S. military exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Kharl Ange Joseph, left, an explosive response element leader with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, transfers an explosive remnant of war to a French Army Soldier during Operation Render Safe Nauru at Yaren, Nauru, May 29, 2024. Operation Render Safe is an Australian-led operation in Oceania to exchange explosive ordnance tactics, techniques, and procedures and reduce the risk of explosive remnants of war. MRF-D 24.3 explosive ordnance disposal technicians participated in Operation Render Safe 24 within the Republic of Nauru to reduce the risk of ERW and strengthen relationships with U.S. Allies and partners. Joseph is a native of Haiti. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Kharl Ange Joseph, left, an explosive response element leader with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, transfers an explosive remnant of war to a French Army Soldier during Operation Render Safe Nauru at Yaren, Nauru, May 29, 2024. Operation Render Safe is an Australian-led operation in Oceania to exchange explosive ordnance tactics, techniques, and procedures and reduce the risk of explosive remnants of war. MRF-D 24.3 explosive ordnance disposal technicians participated in Operation Render Safe 24 within the Republic of Nauru to reduce the risk of ERW and strengthen relationships with U.S. Allies and partners. Joseph is a native of Haiti. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

U.S. Marines with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24, patrol during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, May 30, 2024. Members of MRF-D 24.3 deployed to Townsville Field Training Area, QLD, Australia to participate in Exercise Southern Jackaroo 24, a multilateral combined arms exercise held with capabilities and personnel from the Australian Army, U.S. Army and Marine Corps, Papua New Guinea Defence Force, and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force to increase interoperability with Allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Manuel Rivera) - U.S. Marines with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24, patrol during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, May 30, 2024. Members of MRF-D 24.3 deployed to Townsville Field Training Area, QLD, Australia to participate in Exercise Southern Jackaroo 24, a multilateral combined arms exercise held with capabilities and personnel from the Australian Army, U.S. Army and Marine Corps, Papua New Guinea Defence Force, and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force to increase interoperability with Allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Manuel Rivera)