Stories

U.S. Marines Gunnery Sgt. Jordan Torcello and Staff Sgt. Zachary Rubemeyer, explosive ordnance disposal technicians with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lay undetonated ordnance for a controlled detonation during Exercise Ssang Yong 16 on Suseongri live-fire range, Pohang, South Korea, March 13, 2016. Ssang Yong is a biennial combined amphibious exercise conducted by U.S. forces with the Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army Forces in order to strengthen interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations. - U.S. Marines Gunnery Sgt. Jordan Torcello and Staff Sgt. Zachary Rubemeyer, explosive ordnance disposal technicians with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lay undetonated ordnance for a controlled detonation during Exercise Ssang Yong 16 on Suseongri live-fire range, Pohang, South Korea, March 13, 2016. Ssang Yong is a biennial combined amphibious exercise conducted by U.S. forces with the Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army Forces in order to strengthen interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations.

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.

An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 takes off from Red Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10. This is the first time that the F-35 conducted close air support missions in support of exercise Steel Knight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian Marion/Released) - An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 takes off from Red Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10. This is the first time that the F-35 conducted close air support missions in support of exercise Steel Knight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian Marion/Released)

Lance Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed poses for a photo with a Humvee aboard Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, July 4, 2015. Mohammed is originally from Baghdad and is now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a supply Marine. He is currently deployed as an Arabic interpreter for Task Force Al Taqaddum. - Lance Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed poses for a photo with a Humvee aboard Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, July 4, 2015. Mohammed is originally from Baghdad and is now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a supply Marine. He is currently deployed as an Arabic interpreter for Task Force Al Taqaddum.

Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 remove AM2 matting, used to construct expeditionary air fields, from the main fueling point at Camp Dwyer's flight line so that the can repair the ground beneath it. The Marines removed about 350 pieces of matting, and mixed about 1,500 90-pound bags of concrete into the soil beneath to help stabalize it and prevent further complications during the upcoming rainy season. - Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 remove AM2 matting, used to construct expeditionary air fields, from the main fueling point at Camp Dwyer's flight line so that the can repair the ground beneath it. The Marines removed about 350 pieces of matting, and mixed about 1,500 90-pound bags of concrete into the soil beneath to help stabalize it and prevent further complications during the upcoming rainy season.

Marines from Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, take a short security halt during a patrol down Route Giants in Laki, Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 30. Marines patrolled southward to establish a new patrol base to more easily conduct patrols and operations in the more southern portion of their area of operations. \ - Marines from Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, take a short security halt during a patrol down Route Giants in Laki, Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 30. Marines patrolled southward to establish a new patrol base to more easily conduct patrols and operations in the more southern portion of their area of operations. \

Marines go about digging trenches and enforcing walls at Forward Operating Base Marjah, March 30. The construction of the base began in early March and serves as a key center of operations within the city of Marjah, Afghanistan. - Marines go about digging trenches and enforcing walls at Forward Operating Base Marjah, March 30. The construction of the base began in early March and serves as a key center of operations within the city of Marjah, Afghanistan.

Cpl. Erick A. Monterrosa, background, a radio operator with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Lance Cpl. Justin K. Schwartz, foreground, look through their rear sight optics on their M-4 Carbine rifles while patrolling in Laki, Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 31. With Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians in support, the Marines used mine detectors to check a bridge and tree lines for improvised explosive devices that sat no more than 50 meters away from the patrol base. - Cpl. Erick A. Monterrosa, background, a radio operator with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Lance Cpl. Justin K. Schwartz, foreground, look through their rear sight optics on their M-4 Carbine rifles while patrolling in Laki, Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 31. With Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians in support, the Marines used mine detectors to check a bridge and tree lines for improvised explosive devices that sat no more than 50 meters away from the patrol base.

Lance Cpl. Adam J. Desso, a team leader with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, supports and mentors an Iraqi Policeman during a routine vehicle search at an Enemy Control Point. While, the battalion’s leaders have stressed the importance of creating a great relationship with the policemen, they also put emphasis on monitoring the Iraqi police as they grow to a high-level that can eventually become an independent force, a feat several stations have already accomplished. - Lance Cpl. Adam J. Desso, a team leader with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, supports and mentors an Iraqi Policeman during a routine vehicle search at an Enemy Control Point. While, the battalion’s leaders have stressed the importance of creating a great relationship with the policemen, they also put emphasis on monitoring the Iraqi police as they grow to a high-level that can eventually become an independent force, a feat several stations have already accomplished.