Videos

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force - Darwin and the Australian Defence Force conducted five large-scale training exercises throughout the Northern Territory during the MRF-D 21.2 deployment. The exercise cycle consisted of scenarios that developed bilateral capability to operate during humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, crisis response, embassy reinforcement, non-combatant evacuation operations and operations from key maritime terrain. The exercises honed the Marines’ and ADF’s capabilities as skilled fighting forces that are capable of responding to crises and contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Colton K. Garrett)

U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, participate in a close quarter tactics enablers course at Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 18, 2018. 3/1 continues to undergo their pre-deployment training for the West Pac 18-1 deployment with the 13th MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Austin Mealy)

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California – Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit took part in an intensive combat-centric training course Jan. 9-27 that taught them the skills necessary to support the MEU’s Maritime Raid Force here at Camp Pendleton. The MRF is the Marine Corps’ elite clandestine force enabling precision raids, amphibious reconnaissance and a myriad of other mission sets. The Close Quarters Tactics Enablers course trains Marines to support the MRF in these mission sets. “This type of training is paramount to the operational capabilities of the MEU’s MRF,” said Staff Sgt. Presten Gabaldon, the 15th MEU’s operations training chief and MRF liaison. “In close-quarters combat operations, one must have the ability and knowledge to make life and death decisions – when to shoot and when not to shoot – and it’s essential to not only the 15th MEU but to the Marine Corps as a whole.” Enablers who participated in this training are subject matter experts who enhance and support the MRF mission by providing support such as law enforcement Marines handling military working dogs with the ability to find explosive ordnances, radio operators, and combat camera Marines who document the mission in the heat of battle. During the CQTE course the Marines went through a variety of close-quarters combat-oriented training exercises, to include blindfolded weapons malfunction drills, urban patrolling, advanced marksmanship, and weapons manipulations in low-light visibility. The skills taught at the course will help the 15th MEU effectively support the employment of the MRF in expeditionary operations while forward deployed. “The 15th MEU’s goal in this training exercise is to ensure our Marines are confident, combat effective and prepared for any situation,” said Gabaldon, “Every day of training brings us one step closer to reaching that goal.”

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Smith, the outgoing command master chief of I Marine Expeditionary Force, explains the role of the CMC before relinquishing his duties in a change of charge and retirement ceremony at Camp Pendleton June 3, 2016. The command master chief serves as the senior enlisted advisor for the Navy within I MEF.

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in the Enabler Water Survival Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 26-28, 2016. The course served as a pre-screening for the 11th MEU Marines to participate in the upcoming Expeditionary Operations Training Group water survival qualification, which will enable Marines to be attached to the 11th MEU's Maritime Raid Force. During the course, Marines conducted deep-water gear sheds after jumping from 20, 30 and 40 feet high diving platforms to simulate abandoning a naval ship. The Marines also conducted 250m and 500m distance swims, along with fast roping into the water and caving ladder climbing techniques to equip them with a knowledge of how to operate more efficiently in an amphibious environment.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines and sailors with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, conduct counter-improvised explosive device training at Camp Pendleton April 14, 2016. During the training, Marines patrolled a designated area while applying proper procedures for locating and avoiding IEDs

Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, conduct company-level assaults and military operations in urban terrain as part of combined arms live-fire training, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Jan. 4-19,2016. The Marines completed the training as part of their preparations for an upcoming deployment to Australia.