Stories

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)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, and Philippine Marines with 3rd Brigade set security during KAMANDAG 9 at Oyster Bay, Palawan, Philippines, June 11, 2025. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. 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 Cpl. Anita Ramos) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, and Philippine Marines with 3rd Brigade set security during KAMANDAG 9 at Oyster Bay, Palawan, Philippines, June 11, 2025. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. 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 Cpl. Anita Ramos)

U.S. and Malaysian Armed Forces service members pose for a group photo during the Bersama Warrior 25 opening ceremony at the Joint Warfighting Center, Kuantan, Malaysia, June 17, 2025. - U.S. and Malaysian Armed Forces service members pose for a group photo during the Bersama Warrior 25 opening ceremony at the Joint Warfighting Center, Kuantan, Malaysia, June 17, 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. (Courtesy photo provided by the Malaysian Armed Forces)

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, participate in a regimental run during a Reckless Rodeo event on Camp Pendleton, California, May 22, 2025. - U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, participate in a regimental run during a Reckless Rodeo event on Camp Pendleton, California, May 22, 2025. The Reckless Rodeo was created to build camaraderie, strengthen team spirit, and honor the 'Reckless' tradition. This event is named after Staff Sgt. Reckless, a decorated war horse who served with the U.S. Marine Corps in many combat missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kiana Rose Orinion)

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jeremy Winters, left, the deputy commanding general of operations for Joint Task Force - Southern Border, and Maj. Gen. Thomas B. Savage, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, bow their heads during the benediction at the memorial service of two fallen Marines at the chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, May 22, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jeremy Winters, left, the deputy commanding general of operations for Joint Task Force - Southern Border, and Maj. Gen. Thomas B. Savage, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, bow their heads during the benediction at the memorial service of two fallen Marines at the chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, May 22, 2025. The memorial service was held in honor of Lance Cpl. Albert A. Aguilera and Lance Cpl. Marcelino M. Gamino, who lost their lives in the line of duty April 15, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nataly Espitia)

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)