Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Shakelia Woods, a food service specialist with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, showcases khubuz, a traditional Iraqi flat bread, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, May 4, 2017. Woods instructed Iraqi soldiers with the 7th Iraqi Army Division on capabilities and employment of an Ozti Field Kitchen (OFK) during an advise and assist mission in support of Task Force Al Asad. Task Force Al Asad trains Iraqi forces with operationally relevant training, an integral aspect of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, the global coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Shakelia Woods, a food service specialist with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, showcases khubuz, a traditional Iraqi flat bread, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, May 4, 2017. Woods instructed Iraqi soldiers with the 7th Iraqi Army Division on capabilities and employment of an Ozti Field Kitchen (OFK) during an advise and assist mission in support of Task Force Al Asad. Task Force Al Asad trains Iraqi forces with operationally relevant training, an integral aspect of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, the global coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer B. Poole)

Sulphur dioxide from a fire at the Al-Mishraq sulfur plant travels over Qayyarah Airfield West, Iraq, Oct. 25, 2016. Marines with an Advise and Assist Team with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command were deployed to the area when the fire was burning. The Marines of the A&A Team were able to overcome these conditions and continue operating due to their CBRN training. U.S. Marines receive this training throughout their careers and before deploying in order to effectively respond to an attack and continue accomplishing the mission. - Sulphur dioxide from a fire at the Al-Mishraq sulfur plant travels over Qayyarah Airfield West, Iraq, Oct. 25, 2016. Marines with an Advise and Assist Team with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command were deployed to the area when the fire was burning. The Marines of the A&A Team were able to overcome these conditions and continue operating due to their CBRN training. U.S. Marines receive this training throughout their careers and before deploying in order to effectively respond to an attack and continue accomplishing the mission.

Marines from across I Marine Expeditionary Force post security during fast rope inserts on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. May 9, 2016. This training was a part of a helicopter rope suspension techniques training package facilitated by 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I MEF. Marines and Royal British Commandos practiced these techniques on a rappel tower prior to fast roping out of helicopters hovering nearly 40 feet off the ground. - Marines from across I Marine Expeditionary Force post security during fast rope inserts on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. May 9, 2016. This training was a part of a helicopter rope suspension techniques training package facilitated by 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I MEF. Marines and Royal British Commandos practiced these techniques on a rappel tower prior to fast roping out of helicopters hovering nearly 40 feet off the ground.

A Marine with 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, checks the perimeter of the combat operations center during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear drill designed to familiarize the Marines with immediate actions aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 13, 2015. The Marines and Sailors with 5th Marine Regiment conducted the gas drill as part of Steel Knight 2016, a division-led exercise which prepares Marines and Sailors with the 1st Marine Division and adjacent I Marine Expeditionary Force units with the skill sets necessary to operate as a fully capable Marine Air Ground Task Force. - A Marine with 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, checks the perimeter of the combat operations center during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear drill designed to familiarize the Marines with immediate actions aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 13, 2015. The Marines and Sailors with 5th Marine Regiment conducted the gas drill as part of Steel Knight 2016, a division-led exercise which prepares Marines and Sailors with the 1st Marine Division and adjacent I Marine Expeditionary Force units with the skill sets necessary to operate as a fully capable Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Bulk refueling specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 prepare to refuel an F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Red Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. Various squadrons within 3rd MAW performed more than 70 sorties ranging from external lifts, convoy escorts and casualty evacuation missions with rotary aircraft and fire support missions with the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to providing refueling points for air and ground assets. - Bulk refueling specialists with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 prepare to refuel an F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 at Red Beach aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. Various squadrons within 3rd MAW performed more than 70 sorties ranging from external lifts, convoy escorts and casualty evacuation missions with rotary aircraft and fire support missions with the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to providing refueling points for air and ground assets.

Marines with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fire an M777 Howitzer¬ during the opening day of live-fire operations for Steel Knight at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, on Dec. 10, 2015. The tough, realistic training is intended to develop combat skills necessary to operate as the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fire an M777 Howitzer¬ during the opening day of live-fire operations for Steel Knight at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, on Dec. 10, 2015. The tough, realistic training is intended to develop combat skills necessary to operate as the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment infantrymen tactically move from building to building in a simulated combat zone during Exercise Steel Knight 2016 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 4, 2015. 1st Marine Division has conducted Steel Knight for the past three years, making this the fourth iteration of the exercise. Steel Knight will test I Marine Expeditionary Force’s amphibious capabilities through realistic, scenario-driven training. - 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment infantrymen tactically move from building to building in a simulated combat zone during Exercise Steel Knight 2016 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 4, 2015. 1st Marine Division has conducted Steel Knight for the past three years, making this the fourth iteration of the exercise. Steel Knight will test I Marine Expeditionary Force’s amphibious capabilities through realistic, scenario-driven training.

Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company observe impacts from an M777 A2 Howitzer during an ANGLICO Basic Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 27, 2015. The ANGLICO Basic Course, also known as ABC, is a six-week course divided into three sections implementing motor transportation, communications and call-for-fire techniques. - Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company observe impacts from an M777 A2 Howitzer during an ANGLICO Basic Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 27, 2015. The ANGLICO Basic Course, also known as ABC, is a six-week course divided into three sections implementing motor transportation, communications and call-for-fire techniques.

Royal Danish Army Sgt. 1st Class Martin, left, a primary shooting instructor, marks shot groups during a live-fire range at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Oct. 26, 2015. The training was a part of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve building partner capacity mission to teach the Iraqi soldiers proper marksmanship techniques to improve their effectiveness on the battlefield against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. - Royal Danish Army Sgt. 1st Class Martin, left, a primary shooting instructor, marks shot groups during a live-fire range at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Oct. 26, 2015. The training was a part of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve building partner capacity mission to teach the Iraqi soldiers proper marksmanship techniques to improve their effectiveness on the battlefield against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment provide security on the beach following an amphibious landing as part of Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 5, 2015. Dawn Blitz is a multinational, amphibious training exercise designed to hone the amphibious landing skills of I Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Expeditionary Strike Group Three and allies of the United States. - Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment provide security on the beach following an amphibious landing as part of Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 5, 2015. Dawn Blitz is a multinational, amphibious training exercise designed to hone the amphibious landing skills of I Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Expeditionary Strike Group Three and allies of the United States.