Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Alex Morgan, a metal worker with 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, practices welding techniques on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 4, 2026. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Alex Morgan, a metal worker with 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, practices welding techniques on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 4, 2026. U.S. Marines with 1st Maintenance Battalion utilize fabrication and additive manufacturing to create plastic and metal parts for innovative and cost-effective uses, increasing mission readiness across I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Seaira Moore)

U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force prepare a first-person view small unmanned aircraft system during an FPV sUAS live fire demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 29, 2026. - U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force prepare a first-person view small unmanned aircraft system during an FPV sUAS live fire demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 29, 2026. I Marine Expeditionary Force, in partnership with Defense Innovation Unit, evaluated fiber-optic drones for use in signal-degraded environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Bustamante)

The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy participate in the Marine Corps 250th Birthday Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 18, 2025. - The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy participate in the Marine Corps 250th Birthday Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 18, 2025. The 250th Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Camp Pendleton marks the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday and America’s Semiquincentennial. The live-fire event highlights the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to integrate across air, land, and sea, showcasing the Corps’ enduring role as America’s force in-readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Bustamante)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hayden Lester, a helicopter mechanic with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and the non-commissioned officer in charge of the 24 Area Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, poses for a portrait at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 7, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hayden Lester, a helicopter mechanic with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and the non-commissioned officer in charge of the 24 Area Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, poses for a portrait at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 7, 2025. As a barracks manager, Lester is responsible for overseeing barracks maintenance and repairs, as well as ensuring clean and secure living spaces for Marines residing in the BEQ. Lester is a native of Mississippi. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mary R. Jenni)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan Delarosa, a utilitiesman with Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, saws plywood to build portable air conditioning unit stands during Operation Clean Sweep III at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 19, 2025. - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan Delarosa, a utilitiesman with Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, saws plywood to build portable air conditioning unit stands during Operation Clean Sweep III at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 19, 2025. OCS III, part of the ongoing Barracks 360 Reset initiative, demonstrates a collective commitment to improving living conditions through shared ownership, sustained accountability, and tangible improvements to the barracks. Delarosa is a native of Connecticut. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bryant Rodriguez)

U.S. Marines and Navy Hospital Corpsmen with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, remove simulated casualties from a 7-ton truck while conducting a mass casualty drill during Talisman Sabre 25, in the Northern Territory, Australia, July 21, 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian A. Stippey) - U.S. Marines and Navy Hospital Corpsmen with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, remove simulated casualties from a 7-ton truck while conducting a mass casualty drill during Talisman Sabre 25, in the Northern Territory, Australia, July 21, 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian A. Stippey)

U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Division watch a vendor loaned small unmanned aircraft system fly during Project G.I. at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 26, 2025. - U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Division watch a vendor loaned small unmanned aircraft system fly during Project G.I. at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 26, 2025. The Defense Innovation Unit’s Project G.I. Challenge brought together Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force, industry partners, and Department of Defense leaders to evaluate commercial sUAS, with Marine feedback shaping future procurement decisions and advancing modernization for contested environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sawyer Carleton)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, salute the colors during the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu ceremony as part of exercise Koa Moana 24, at Peleliu, Republic of Palau, Sept. 15, 2024. The ceremony, led and planned by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and supported by Koa Moana 24, paid tribute to the Battle of Peleliu, a pivotal World War II conflict fought from Sept. 15 to Nov. 27, 1944, where U.S. forces endured intense combat to secure the island from Japanese forces, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. During Koa Moana’s deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force work to strengthen alliances and partnerships with development of interoperable capabilities, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, salute the colors during the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu ceremony as part of exercise Koa Moana 24, at Peleliu, Republic of Palau, Sept. 15, 2024. The ceremony, led and planned by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and supported by Koa Moana 24, paid tribute to the Battle of Peleliu, a pivotal World War II conflict fought from Sept. 15 to Nov. 27, 1944, where U.S. forces endured intense combat to secure the island from Japanese forces, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. During Koa Moana’s deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force work to strengthen alliances and partnerships with development of interoperable capabilities, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jonathan Berklich, a ground intelligence officer with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, conducts planning with members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, June 1, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jonathan Berklich, a ground intelligence officer with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, conducts planning with members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, June 1, 2025. Southern Jackaroo is an annual exercise held between the U.S. Marine Corps, Australian Defence Force, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force designed to enhance interoperability and combined readiness with Allies and partners. MRF-D is 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. Berklich is a native of Michigan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

Members of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marine Corps conduct planning at the Joint Warfighting Center, Kuantan, Malaysia, June 23, 2025. Bersama Warrior is an annual, bilateral joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces. This year marks the 11th iteration of the exercise, and the first time MRF-D is participating, enhancing U.S. and Malaysian defense readiness and improving combined joint interoperability. MRF-D is 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Samuel DeRobertis) - Members of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marine Corps conduct planning at the Joint Warfighting Center, Kuantan, Malaysia, June 23, 2025. Bersama Warrior is an annual, bilateral joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces. This year marks the 11th iteration of the exercise, and the first time MRF-D is participating, enhancing U.S. and Malaysian defense readiness and improving combined joint interoperability. MRF-D is 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Samuel DeRobertis)