Stories

In 2017, I MEF Marines and Sailors supported more than 140 community events. - Marines and sailors with I Marine Expeditionary Force salute the flag during the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl National Anthem, Dec. 28, 2017. In 2017, I MEF Marines and Sailors supported more than 140 community events. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cutler Brice)

Col. Bobbi Shea begins casing the I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group organizational colors to symbolize the re-designation of I MHG to I MEF Information Group July 6, 2017, at Camp Pendleton, Calif. During the ceremony I MEF Headquarters Group was re-designated as I MIG to support I Marine Expeditionary Force in the expanding information environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert A Alejandre) - Col. Bobbi Shea begins casing the I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group organizational colors to symbolize the re-designation of I MHG to I MEF Information Group July 6, 2017, at Camp Pendleton, Calif. During the ceremony I MEF Headquarters Group was re-designated as I MIG to support I Marine Expeditionary Force in the expanding information environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert A Alejandre)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Midshipman Michelle Mathews is a 19-year-old Midshipmen striving to be a Marine Corps officer, is one of the many people whose passion for being in the armed services has put her in the path to becoming a future leader. Mathews lives in Houston and attends Villanova University as a political science major. Her ultimate goal is to lead Marines and become a combat engineer officer. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Midshipman Michelle Mathews is a 19-year-old Midshipmen striving to be a Marine Corps officer, is one of the many people whose passion for being in the armed services has put her in the path to becoming a future leader. Mathews lives in Houston and attends Villanova University as a political science major. Her ultimate goal is to lead Marines and become a combat engineer officer. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Master Chief Petty Officer Frank Dominguez, left, and Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Smith, bow their head for the invocation during the change of charge and retirement ceremony for Smith on Camp Pendleton June 3, 2016. Smith is retiring after 30 years of honorable service in the United States Navy. Dominguez, a Superior, Arizona native, is replacing Smith, a Ridgecrest native, as the command master chief of I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By Cpl. Garrett White/Released) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Master Chief Petty Officer Frank Dominguez, left, and Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Smith, bow their head for the invocation during the change of charge and retirement ceremony for Smith on Camp Pendleton June 3, 2016. Smith is retiring after 30 years of honorable service in the United States Navy. Dominguez, a Superior, Arizona native, is replacing Smith, a Ridgecrest native, as the command master chief of I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By Cpl. Garrett White/Released)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, present veterans with a current small-arms weaponry display during the unit’s 75th anniversary at Camp Pendleton May 26, 2016. During the event, veterans who served with 1st CEB gathered at the current headquarters building and toured the area, while speaking with current service members. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, present veterans with a current small-arms weaponry display during the unit’s 75th anniversary at Camp Pendleton May 26, 2016. During the event, veterans who served with 1st CEB gathered at the current headquarters building and toured the area, while speaking with current service members. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED)

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. – Staff Sgt. Sean Fordham, the chemical, biological, radiological, neurological chief for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives a graduation certificate from Col. Ian R. Clark, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, after the first annual year class of Career Course Seminar on Camp Pendleton May 26, 2016. Career Course Seminar provides the skills necessary for a staff sergeant to act as a problem solver, lead at a platoon level, mentor company-grade officers and lead and develop subordinate leaders. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tony Simmons/Released) - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. – Staff Sgt. Sean Fordham, the chemical, biological, radiological, neurological chief for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives a graduation certificate from Col. Ian R. Clark, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, after the first annual year class of Career Course Seminar on Camp Pendleton May 26, 2016. Career Course Seminar provides the skills necessary for a staff sergeant to act as a problem solver, lead at a platoon level, mentor company-grade officers and lead and develop subordinate leaders. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tony Simmons/Released)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Lieutenant General David Berger, I Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, presents SSgt. Kurtis Carpenter, an armorer with 1st Intelligence Battalion, and Louisa, VA. a meritorious promotion certificate on Camp Pendleton, April 4, 2016. Meritorious promotions are a way for the Marine Corps to reward outstanding performance and highlight the dedication and spirit among those who serve within it. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonathan Boynes/Released) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Lieutenant General David Berger, I Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, presents SSgt. Kurtis Carpenter, an armorer with 1st Intelligence Battalion, and Louisa, VA. a meritorious promotion certificate on Camp Pendleton, April 4, 2016. Meritorious promotions are a way for the Marine Corps to reward outstanding performance and highlight the dedication and spirit among those who serve within it. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonathan Boynes/Released)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Colonel Willard ‘Willy’ Buhl (left) and Dwight Trafton (right), a retired colonel, stand at attention for the conclusion of Col. Buhl’s retirement ceremony on Feb. 12, at Camp Pendleton, Calif. The ceremony was to commemorate Buhl’s 34 years of dedicated service to the United States Marine Corps. Buhl was formerly the director of Expeditionary Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force and is from Los Gatos, Calif. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Serna/Released) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Colonel Willard ‘Willy’ Buhl (left) and Dwight Trafton (right), a retired colonel, stand at attention for the conclusion of Col. Buhl’s retirement ceremony on Feb. 12, at Camp Pendleton, Calif. The ceremony was to commemorate Buhl’s 34 years of dedicated service to the United States Marine Corps. Buhl was formerly the director of Expeditionary Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force and is from Los Gatos, Calif. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Serna/Released)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Cpl. Richelle Delapaz, left, guides Kayla Morley through an obstacle course at North Terrace Elementary, March 25, 2016. Approximately 30 Marine volunteers with the Single Marine Program facilitated a series of exercises and competitions including an obstacle course relay race and tug-of-war as part of a Physical Education Fitness Challenge. The challenge encourages children to stay active and helps Marines engage with their local community. Delapaz, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, is a field radio operator with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. Morley is a second grade student at North Terrace Elementary. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel/RELEASED) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Cpl. Richelle Delapaz, left, guides Kayla Morley through an obstacle course at North Terrace Elementary, March 25, 2016. Approximately 30 Marine volunteers with the Single Marine Program facilitated a series of exercises and competitions including an obstacle course relay race and tug-of-war as part of a Physical Education Fitness Challenge. The challenge encourages children to stay active and helps Marines engage with their local community. Delapaz, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, is a field radio operator with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. Morley is a second grade student at North Terrace Elementary. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel/RELEASED)