Stories

U.S. Marines and aircraft with Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct a formation flight as part of Project Legacy off the coast of San Diego, March 4, 2025. The Project Legacy flight was a unique opportunity for all aircraft platforms across MAG-11 to fly as one team, practice tight formations, and take part in the documentation of a historical flight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez) - U.S. Marines and aircraft with Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct a formation flight as part of Project Legacy off the coast of San Diego, March 4, 2025. The Project Legacy flight was a unique opportunity for all aircraft platforms across MAG-11 to fly as one team, practice tight formations, and take part in the documentation of a historical flight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Geronimo Vela Jr., an intelligence specialist with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, poses for a portrait with his mother after an award ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 31, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Geronimo Vela Jr., an intelligence specialist with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, poses for a portrait with his mother after an award ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 31, 2025. Vela was named Marine of the Year for his superior performance of duties, positive attitude and dedication to mission accomplishment. The ceremony acknowledges the hard work, accomplishments and sacrifices made over the last year by recognized service members and their families in support of I MEF mission success. Vela is a native of Uvalde, Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Andrade)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan J. Jones, a data system administrator with Headquarters Company, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, poses for a photo in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia on March 13, 2025. Cpl. Jones is participating in his 2nd rotation after being forward-deployed with the 2023 MRF-D Marine Air-Ground Task Force. MRF-D 25.3 is part of an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and Allies and partners and provide a forward-postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. Jones is a native of North Carolina. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan J. Jones, a data system administrator with Headquarters Company, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, poses for a photo in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia on March 13, 2025. Cpl. Jones is participating in his 2nd rotation after being forward-deployed with the 2023 MRF-D Marine Air-Ground Task Force. MRF-D 25.3 is part of an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and Allies and partners and provide a forward-postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. Jones is a native of North Carolina. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Matthew J. Fouss stands during the presentation of “Old Glory” as a part of his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Matthew J. Fouss stands during the presentation of “Old Glory” as a part of his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2025. Fouss, the outgoing sergeant major of 1st Marine Division, retired after serving 30 years in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by. Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Matthew J. Fouss stands during the presentation of “Old Glory” as a part of his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Matthew J. Fouss stands during the presentation of “Old Glory” as a part of his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2025. Fouss, the outgoing sergeant major of 1st Marine Division, retired after serving 30 years in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by. Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistic Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, ground guide Joint Light Tactical Vehicles up a hill on Red Beach as part of Steel Knight 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 7, 2024. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that takes place in multiple locations across the Southwest that allows I Marine Expeditionary Force to train as a full Marine Air-Ground Task Force and better integrate with joint and naval forces. The exercise also certifies 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and CLB-1 to be forward-postured in Australia as part of Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, a six-month deployment during which Marines train with Australian allies and facilitate rapid response to crises and contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Keegan Jones) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistic Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, ground guide Joint Light Tactical Vehicles up a hill on Red Beach as part of Steel Knight 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 7, 2024. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that takes place in multiple locations across the Southwest that allows I Marine Expeditionary Force to train as a full Marine Air-Ground Task Force and better integrate with joint and naval forces. The exercise also certifies 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and CLB-1 to be forward-postured in Australia as part of Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, a six-month deployment during which Marines train with Australian allies and facilitate rapid response to crises and contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Keegan Jones)

U.S. Marine leaders with 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, salute as the Marines of Fire Support Battalion, 11th Marines, pass in review during the battalion’s activation ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 19, 2024. The activation of the battalion, which is the first of its kind, is a major step in providing ground commanders with the fire support capabilities to plan, coordinate, and synchronize fires to accomplish missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adeola Adetimehin) - U.S. Marine leaders with 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, salute as the Marines of Fire Support Battalion, 11th Marines, pass in review during the battalion’s activation ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 19, 2024. The activation of the battalion, which is the first of its kind, is a major step in providing ground commanders with the fire support capabilities to plan, coordinate, and synchronize fires to accomplish missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adeola Adetimehin)

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro poses for a group photo with Marines after presenting them with challenge coins in recognition of their exemplary performance and outstanding contributions to their units at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 4, 2024. Secretary Del Toro toured the installation to engage with servicemembers and assess ongoing efforts to improve quality of life, operational readiness, and infrastructure at MCAS Miramar. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Santicia Ambriez-Stippey) - Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro poses for a group photo with Marines after presenting them with challenge coins in recognition of their exemplary performance and outstanding contributions to their units at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 4, 2024. Secretary Del Toro toured the installation to engage with servicemembers and assess ongoing efforts to improve quality of life, operational readiness, and infrastructure at MCAS Miramar. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Santicia Ambriez-Stippey)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Stringer, a native of Oregon and metal worker with Tactical Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, practices welding techniques on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 30, 2023. Marines with 1st Maintenance Battalion utilize fabrication and additive manufacturing to create innovative plastic and metal parts for mission readiness across the I Marine Expeditionary Force to stay adaptable and efficient. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seaira Moore) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Stringer, a native of Oregon and metal worker with Tactical Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, practices welding techniques on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 30, 2023. Marines with 1st Maintenance Battalion utilize fabrication and additive manufacturing to create innovative plastic and metal parts for mission readiness across the I Marine Expeditionary Force to stay adaptable and efficient. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seaira Moore)

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Indonesian marines with 10th Marine Infantry Battalion, Indonesian Korps Marinir, stand in formation during the Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2024 Opening Ceremony at Yonif 10 Marinir, Batam, Indonesia, Nov. 6, 2024. Keris MAREX is a bilateral exercise conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps and Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia, or Indonesian Marine Corps, to strengthen relationships as military partners and increase interoperability among participating forces in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Indonesian marines with 10th Marine Infantry Battalion, Indonesian Korps Marinir, stand in formation during the Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2024 Opening Ceremony at Yonif 10 Marinir, Batam, Indonesia, Nov. 6, 2024. Keris MAREX is a bilateral exercise conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps and Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia, or Indonesian Marine Corps, to strengthen relationships as military partners and increase interoperability among participating forces in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)