Stories

U.S. Marines, families of the fallen, and members of the Australian Defence Force participate in a Pukumani ceremony hosted by the Tiwi Island-Mantiyupwi clan, in collaboration with the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation, at Melville Island, Tiwi Islands, Australia, Sept. 27, 2024. The Pukumani Ceremony is a traditional Tiwi people ritual that honors the deceased and helps guide their spirits to the afterlife, marking the official end of mourning. For the first time, U.S. Marines and family members of the fallen were honored by the Tiwi and Larrakia people during the week leading up to two culturally significant ceremonies: a healing ceremony and a Pukumani ceremony. These ceremonies commemorated the three U.S. Marines who tragically lost their lives in a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey crash on Melville Island on Aug. 27, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kassie McDole) - U.S. Marines, families of the fallen, and members of the Australian Defence Force participate in a Pukumani ceremony hosted by the Tiwi Island-Mantiyupwi clan, in collaboration with the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation, at Melville Island, Tiwi Islands, Australia, Sept. 27, 2024. The Pukumani Ceremony is a traditional Tiwi people ritual that honors the deceased and helps guide their spirits to the afterlife, marking the official end of mourning. For the first time, U.S. Marines and family members of the fallen were honored by the Tiwi and Larrakia people during the week leading up to two culturally significant ceremonies: a healing ceremony and a Pukumani ceremony. These ceremonies commemorated the three U.S. Marines who tragically lost their lives in a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey crash on Melville Island on Aug. 27, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kassie McDole)

Service members from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, pose for a photo in front of a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, during Operation Render Safe 2024-2 at Munda International Airport, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, Sept. 13, 2024. - Service members from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, pose for a photo in front of a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, during Operation Render Safe 2024-2 at Munda International Airport, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, Sept. 13, 2024. Operation Render Safe 2024-2 is an Australian-led operation to exchange explosive ordnance tactics, techniques and procedures and reduce the risk of explosive remnants of war. From Aug. 30 to Sept. 13, the MRF-D 24.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force deploys select explosive ordnance disposal teams, role 2 medical, Ospreys and force protection elements to the Solomon Islands for participation in Australian Defence Force’s execution of Operation Render Safe 2024-2 in order to enhance relationships with partner nations in the South Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kassie McDole)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Adeola Adetimehin, a combat graphics specialist with 1st Marine Division, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 11, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Adeola Adetimehin, a combat graphics specialist with 1st Marine Division, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 11, 2024. Adetimehin received two medals after setting four Maryland state powerlifting records at the Anaheim Fit Expo in August. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ryan W. Hageali)

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and Indonesian National Armed Forces service members, board an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, during on and off drills as part of Super Garuda Shield 2024 at Juanda International Airport, East Java, Indonesia, Aug. 30, 2024. Super Garuda Shield is an annual exercise that has significantly grown in scope and size since 2009. Super Garuda Shield 2024 is the third consecutive time this exercise has grown into a combined and joint event, focused on commitment to partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Migel A. Reynosa) - U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and Indonesian National Armed Forces service members, board an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, during on and off drills as part of Super Garuda Shield 2024 at Juanda International Airport, East Java, Indonesia, Aug. 30, 2024. Super Garuda Shield is an annual exercise that has significantly grown in scope and size since 2009. Super Garuda Shield 2024 is the third consecutive time this exercise has grown into a combined and joint event, focused on commitment to partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Migel A. Reynosa)

U.S. Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Australian Defence Force Soldiers, and Indonesian National Armed Forces, prepare a simulated casualty for treatment as part of a mass casualty exercise during Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AUSINDO 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 20, 2024. - U.S. Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Australian Defence Force Soldiers, and Indonesian National Armed Forces, prepare a simulated casualty for treatment as part of a mass casualty exercise during Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AUSINDO 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 20, 2024. BKA 24, previously named Crocodile Response, is a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise focused on strengthening the cooperation and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps, TNI, ADF, and other government agencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Erik LeMoine, center, a supply officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, gives a speech after an award ceremony at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 21, 2024. On May 17, 2024, LeMoine was swimming at Robertson Barracks when he noticed a Marine was motionless at the bottom of the pool. Without hesitation, Lemoine pulled him out of the water and performed five minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation before paramedics took over care. LeMoine is a native of Nebraska. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Torres) - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Erik LeMoine, center, a supply officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, gives a speech after an award ceremony at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 21, 2024. On May 17, 2024, LeMoine was swimming at Robertson Barracks when he noticed a Marine was motionless at the bottom of the pool. Without hesitation, Lemoine pulled him out of the water and performed five minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation before paramedics took over care. LeMoine is a native of Nebraska. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Torres)

Plaques placed by 1st Marine Air Wing and Seabees with Naval Construction Maintenance Unit 101 mark the original building site of the Sunrin Aeyukwon Children’s Home in Pohang, South Korea, Aug. 19, 2024. - Plaques placed by 1st Marine Air Wing and Seabees with Naval Construction Maintenance Unit 101 mark the original building site of the Sunrin Aeyukwon Children’s Home in Pohang, South Korea, Aug. 19, 2024. Twenty volunteers from the 15th MEU and 31st MEU visited Sunrin Aeyukwon to spend a day with children who attend the facility, which was formerly known as the Marine Memorial Orphanage when it was first built by Marines and Navy Seabees through donations in the early 1950s. Elements of the 15th MEU are currently conducting integrated training with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps to contribute toward combined capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. Integrated training between the two countries strengthens the ROK-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo By Cpl. Amelia Kang)

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)