Stories

U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), and Philippine Marines pose for a photo during the littoral live-fire exercise for Marine Aviation Support Activity 24 at San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines, June 15, 2024. The LLFX showcased the integrated command and control capabilities of the U.S. and Philippine armed forces in a territorial defense scenario featuring a coordinated bilateral surface and maritime strike. MASA is an annual Philippine-U.S. military exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo) - U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), and Philippine Marines pose for a photo during the littoral live-fire exercise for Marine Aviation Support Activity 24 at San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines, June 15, 2024. The LLFX showcased the integrated command and control capabilities of the U.S. and Philippine armed forces in a territorial defense scenario featuring a coordinated bilateral surface and maritime strike. MASA is an annual Philippine-U.S. military exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, and volunteers collect toys, books, and other gifts during Disneyland’s Toys for Tots Drive in Anaheim, California, Dec. 9, 2023. Toys for Tots is a year-round charity that provides toys, books, and games to economically disadvantaged children and families since 1947. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, and volunteers collect toys, books, and other gifts during Disneyland’s Toys for Tots Drive in Anaheim, California, Dec. 9, 2023. Toys for Tots is a year-round charity that provides toys, books, and games to economically disadvantaged children and families since 1947. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine)

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takeoff during suppression of enemy air defense training in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Dec. 6, 2023. SEAD training increases the ability of fifth-generation fighter pilots to enter the fight first, strike targets deep within an enemy air defense system, and enable follow on strikes by supporting weapons platforms. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Gallagher) - U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takeoff during suppression of enemy air defense training in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Dec. 6, 2023. SEAD training increases the ability of fifth-generation fighter pilots to enter the fight first, strike targets deep within an enemy air defense system, and enable follow on strikes by supporting weapons platforms. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Gallagher)

U.S. Marines with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing All Type Model Series Armament Team unload ordnance from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at a forward arming and refueling point in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Inyokern Airfield, California, Dec. 2, 2023. ATAT is comprised of aviation ordnance Marines qualified to load and arm every type model series platform in the 3rd MAW fleet. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez) - U.S. Marines with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing All Type Model Series Armament Team unload ordnance from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at a forward arming and refueling point in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Inyokern Airfield, California, Dec. 2, 2023. ATAT is comprised of aviation ordnance Marines qualified to load and arm every type model series platform in the 3rd MAW fleet. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Space Force Guardians with Space Systems Command, and Mobile User Objective System Program Office personnel attend a MUOS presentation at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Nov. 16, 2023. Members of Space Systems Command and the MUOS Program Office engaged with 3rd MAW and I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines to understand end-user considerations and see MUOS used at the tactical level. MUOS elevates Marine Corps warfighting capabilities by enhancing long-range, rapid communication and expanding the operational reach of the U.S. Armed Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs) - U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Space Force Guardians with Space Systems Command, and Mobile User Objective System Program Office personnel attend a MUOS presentation at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Nov. 16, 2023. Members of Space Systems Command and the MUOS Program Office engaged with 3rd MAW and I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines to understand end-user considerations and see MUOS used at the tactical level. MUOS elevates Marine Corps warfighting capabilities by enhancing long-range, rapid communication and expanding the operational reach of the U.S. Armed Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jonathan Bruno, an aircraft avionics technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, displays VMFA-311 unit patch in front of a F-35C Lighting II at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 15, 2023. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jonathan Bruno, an aircraft avionics technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, displays VMFA-311 unit patch in front of a F-35C Lighting II at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 15, 2023. VMFA-311, the Marine Corps’ second fleet squadron to operate the F-35C Lightning II, is declared “Safe for Flight”. The Safe for Flight certification means that VMFA-311, MAG-11, 3rd MAW, has the maintenance programs, processes, and trained Marines in place to independently conduct flight operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Samantha Devine)

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.

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 push one of Marine Heavy Helicopter 363’s refurbished CH-53D helicopters on the flight line after rolling it out of an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III. The squadron is now preparing to redeploy to Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, after completing a seven month tour here. The Marines have flown more than 3,000 hours and transported more than 14,000 personnel during their deployment. - Marines push one of Marine Heavy Helicopter 363’s refurbished CH-53D helicopters on the flight line after rolling it out of an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III. The squadron is now preparing to redeploy to Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, after completing a seven month tour here. The Marines have flown more than 3,000 hours and transported more than 14,000 personnel during their deployment.