Stories

Sgt. Roberto J. Perez, left, is congratulated by Sgt. Maj. Bradley Kasal after receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 16, 2016. The award was presented to Perez by Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, center, for being selected as the I Marine Expeditionary Force noncommissioned officer of the year. The NCO of the year is awarded to a Marine who exemplifies the highest standards of the Marine Corps, both physically and mentally, and has the ability to inspire Marines. Perez is a squad leader with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Kasal is the sergeant major of I Marine Expeditionary Force. Berger is the commanding general of I MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss) - Sgt. Roberto J. Perez, left, is congratulated by Sgt. Maj. Bradley Kasal after receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 16, 2016. The award was presented to Perez by Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, center, for being selected as the I Marine Expeditionary Force noncommissioned officer of the year. The NCO of the year is awarded to a Marine who exemplifies the highest standards of the Marine Corps, both physically and mentally, and has the ability to inspire Marines. Perez is a squad leader with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Kasal is the sergeant major of I Marine Expeditionary Force. Berger is the commanding general of I MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss)

Cpl. Corey Mount is recognized by Lt. Gen. David Berger as the I Marine Expeditionary Force Marine of the Year during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton Feb. 10, 2016. The award recognizes a Marine who exceeds expectations and embodies the spirit and ideals of the Marine Corps. Berger is the I MEF commanding general and Mount, a native of Indianapolis, is an administrative noncommissioned officer with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Cpl. Corey Mount is recognized by Lt. Gen. David Berger as the I Marine Expeditionary Force Marine of the Year during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton Feb. 10, 2016. The award recognizes a Marine who exceeds expectations and embodies the spirit and ideals of the Marine Corps. Berger is the I MEF commanding general and Mount, a native of Indianapolis, is an administrative noncommissioned officer with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)

First Sgt. Shonor Burton runs through a non-lethal weapons course while blinded by the effects of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, Jan. 26, 2016. Burton is the company first sergeant for Company B, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. - First Sgt. Shonor Burton runs through a non-lethal weapons course while blinded by the effects of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, Jan. 26, 2016. Burton is the company first sergeant for Company B, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army Infantry Regiment looks out from the driver’s seat of an amphibious assault vehicle onto a simulated battlefield during training during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 26. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral amphibious training exercise designed to improve U.S. Marine Corps and JGSDF’s ability to plan, communicate and conduct combined amphibious operations. The exercise provides valuable training to warriors from different cultures, and the opportunity to build camaraderie between the U.S. and Japanese militaries. - A soldier with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army Infantry Regiment looks out from the driver’s seat of an amphibious assault vehicle onto a simulated battlefield during training during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 26. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral amphibious training exercise designed to improve U.S. Marine Corps and JGSDF’s ability to plan, communicate and conduct combined amphibious operations. The exercise provides valuable training to warriors from different cultures, and the opportunity to build camaraderie between the U.S. and Japanese militaries.

“Physical fitness is my hobby,” said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bell. “It’s something I take great enthusiasm in. It’s my equivalent to how some people like to play video games, or others who like going fishing or riding motorcycles, but physical training is what I like to do.” Bell is a native of Atlanta and a helicopter mechanic with Headquarters Co., I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Serna/Released) - “Physical fitness is my hobby,” said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bell. “It’s something I take great enthusiasm in. It’s my equivalent to how some people like to play video games, or others who like going fishing or riding motorcycles, but physical training is what I like to do.” Bell is a native of Atlanta and a helicopter mechanic with Headquarters Co., I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Serna/Released)

A Joint Fire Observer watches the impact of an 81 mm mortar round to forward corrections needed to accurately hit a target during training on the hillsides of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 13, 2016. The JFOs work hand-in-hand with the Joint Tactical Attack Controllers to accurately and effectively strike targets with either artillery or aircraft. The Marines are with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released) - A Joint Fire Observer watches the impact of an 81 mm mortar round to forward corrections needed to accurately hit a target during training on the hillsides of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 13, 2016. The JFOs work hand-in-hand with the Joint Tactical Attack Controllers to accurately and effectively strike targets with either artillery or aircraft. The Marines are with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)

U.S. Navy and Army medical personnel prepare to load a simulated casualty onto a UH-60 “Black Hawk” helicopter during a mass casualty exercise at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 23, 2015. Canadian forces, U.S. Air Force and Army medical personnel, along with U.S. Marines and Navy corpsmen with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, participated in the joint exercise to hone the coalition’s medical response capabilities. SPMAGTF-CR-CC is currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility with a mission spanning 20 nations. - U.S. Navy and Army medical personnel prepare to load a simulated casualty onto a UH-60 “Black Hawk” helicopter during a mass casualty exercise at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 23, 2015. Canadian forces, U.S. Air Force and Army medical personnel, along with U.S. Marines and Navy corpsmen with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, participated in the joint exercise to hone the coalition’s medical response capabilities. SPMAGTF-CR-CC is currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility with a mission spanning 20 nations.

Marines collect toys and donations for the Toys for Tots program throughout Southern California, Dec. 18, 2015. This group of Marines collected 700 gifts, 600 bicycles, and more than $1,000 in donations for children over the holidays. The Marines are with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss) - Marines collect toys and donations for the Toys for Tots program throughout Southern California, Dec. 18, 2015. This group of Marines collected 700 gifts, 600 bicycles, and more than $1,000 in donations for children over the holidays. The Marines are with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss)

Lance Cpl. Taylor A. Vollmer observes aircraft as his team prepares to take off for a Joint Terminal Attack Control training scenerio Dec. 15 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. A JTAC is when combat aircraft engage in close air support and other offensive air operations from a forward position. Vollmer, a Bakersfield, California, native, is a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. - Lance Cpl. Taylor A. Vollmer observes aircraft as his team prepares to take off for a Joint Terminal Attack Control training scenerio Dec. 15 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. A JTAC is when combat aircraft engage in close air support and other offensive air operations from a forward position. Vollmer, a Bakersfield, California, native, is a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.