Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, brace as a CH-53 Super Stallion approaches for loading during a helicopter support team exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 7, 2023. The HST exercise was conducted to refine key skills for pilots and landing support Marines in sling loading operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force in ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, brace as a CH-53 Super Stallion approaches for loading during a helicopter support team exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 7, 2023. The HST exercise was conducted to refine key skills for pilots and landing support Marines in sling loading operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force in ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado)

Vipers and Heavy Haulers Return Home from Indo-Pacific Deployment

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – The Marines and Sailors of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, returned from deployments in support of the Unit Deployment Program and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, to their home stations of Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton and MCAS Miramar, California, respectively, earlier this month.

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The Joint Civilian Orientation Conference 94 Marine Corps Day was held at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, Sept. 19, 2023. JCOC is the Department of Defense’s public liaison program, designed to provide American business and community leaders with a deeper understanding of the military by showcasing the rewards and challenges service members face both on and off the battlefield. (Defense Media Activity photo by Edward J. Hersom) - The Joint Civilian Orientation Conference 94 Marine Corps Day was held at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, Sept. 19, 2023. JCOC is the Department of Defense’s public liaison program, designed to provide American business and community leaders with a deeper understanding of the military by showcasing the rewards and challenges service members face both on and off the battlefield. (Defense Media Activity photo by Edward J. Hersom)

Marines host standout day for Joint Civilian Orientation Conference

The Office of the Secretary of Defense hosted 33 civilian leaders from academia, businesses, and corporate America, for the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC) 94, where they gained rare insights on what life is like inside of the Armed Forces, Sept 17-23.

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1st Lieutenant Francisco Mendoza looks at the view from the starboard side of the historical Japanese memorial Mikasa warship. - 1st Lieutenant Francisco Mendoza, S-4 Logistics of Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji Japan, takes in the starboard side view from the historical Japanese memorial Mikasa warship, September 13, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Song Jordan)

CATC Camp Fuji Marines board a piece of Japanese history

CATC Camp Fuji Marines board a piece of Japanese history used during the Russo-Japanese War

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N/A - Dr. Yuriko Bechesrrak, a Pediatric Physician at Belau National Hospital and U.S. Navy Lt. Daniel Neren, an Emergency Medicine Physician with Marine Corps Engineer Detachment 23.2 participate in point of care ultrasound training at Belau National Hospital on Koror, Republic of Palau, Sept. 8, 2023. The United States and the Republic of Palau continue to enhance interoperability by providing regional security, real-world training and community relations projects while forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibilities during MCED – Palau 23.2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. David Bickel)

MCED-P 23.2 Medical Staff Conducts Ultrasound Training

Sailors from the medical team supporting Marine Corps Engineering Detachment – Palau conducted ultrasound training with the Belau National Hospital in Koror, Republic of Palau, Sept. 9, 2023.

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MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND BEGINS FIELDING CUTTING-EDGE ULTRA LIGHT TACTICAL VEHICLE - The ULTV is a modular, off-road, utility vehicle which can be configured to provide logistical support to the FMF, perform casualty evacuation, command and control, and electronic warfare missions. (Marine Corps photo by Ashley Calingo.)

MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND BEGINS FIELDING CUTTING-EDGE ULTRA LIGHT TACTICAL VEHICLE

Marine Corps Systems Command has begun fielding the new Ultra Light Tactical Vehicle, or ULTV, reaching initial operational capability and marking a significant milestone in the Corps’ Force Design 2030 modernization efforts. This state-of-the-art tactical vehicle is set to enhance infantry, reconnaissance, and logistics mobility and sustainability, providing the modern warfighter with an advanced, lightweight solution tailored for operations in an anti-access/area denial environment.

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U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines provide security for a platoon attack during Stand-in Force Exercise on Okinawa, Japan, Dec.11, 2022. SiF-EX is a Division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region. - U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines provide security for a platoon attack during Stand-in Force Exercise on Okinawa, Japan, Dec.11, 2022. SiF-EX is a Division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region.

Alert Contingency MAGTF: ‘Our most ready force’

It is 3:00am on a Sunday morning. III Marine Expeditionary Force receives indications and warnings that a crisis is brewing. The order is given without hesitation, and the Marines and Sailors of the Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force are geared up and ready to deploy with a full combat load within just a couple hours. As a scalable unit, the ACM is always on standby to respond to a variety of mission sets – from humanitarian and disaster relief operations to full-scale combat operations. It is not a conceptual idea or something people just talk about, the ACM is employed routinely through a rigorous training schedule involving no-notice drills and even operational deployments within the region...

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Khe Sanh, South Vietnam, an isolated United States Marine Corps out post during the Vietnam War became too dangerous to land due to hostile ground fire and shelling. To accommodate, C-130s used the Low Altitude Extraction System and kept the Marines resupplied with rations, fuel, ammunition and medical supplies. - Khe Sanh, South Vietnam, an isolated United States Marine Corps out post during the Vietnam War became too dangerous to land due to hostile ground fire and shelling. To accommodate, C-130s used the Low Altitude Extraction System and kept the Marines resupplied with rations, fuel, ammunition and medical supplies.

Veteran Remembers Battle of Khe Sanh

This year the U.S. Marine Corps commemorates 55 years since the Battle of Khe Sanh, which lasted from January 21 to March 31, 1968. In early 1968, Khe Sanh Combat Base gained world-wide attention as the roughly 6,000 Marines defending the base were encircled and besieged by three North Vietnamese Army regiments of about 20,000 troops. For 77 days,

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon A. Brown (right), and administrative specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion (HQSVCBN), U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC), shakes hands with Col. Eduardo A. Bitanga II, Commander, HQSVCBN, MARFORPAC during a Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii sponsored virtual Military Appreciation Month Ceremony Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii on May 6. Members of each service were selected by their commands to be recognized during the ceremony for their outstanding community service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maximilian C. Campbell) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon A. Brown (right), and administrative specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion (HQSVCBN), U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC), shakes hands with Col. Eduardo A. Bitanga II, Commander, HQSVCBN, MARFORPAC during a Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii sponsored virtual Military Appreciation Month Ceremony Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii on May 6. Members of each service were selected by their commands to be recognized during the ceremony for their outstanding community service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maximilian C. Campbell) (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maximilian C. Campbell)

MARFORPAC Marine Recognized for Volunteer Efforts

Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii - The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii sponsored a Military Appreciation Month virtual ceremony in which U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon Brown, an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, was recognized along with members of each of the services, 6 May. Brown’s nomination came as a result of his contributions to the community through his volunteer work.

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MCSC structural changes enable better naval alignment, acquisition support to Marines - James F. Geurts, the assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, speaks to the crowd about the importance of acquisition, Aug. 15, 2019 at the Marine Corps Ground Acquisition Award Dinner in Arlington, Virginia. Between July and October, Marine Corps Systems Command underwent a structural shift to better align the Marine Corps with the U.S. Navy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Matt Gonzales)

MCSC structural changes enable better naval alignment, acquisition support to Marines

Between July and October, Marine Corps Systems Command underwent several structural changes to better align the Marine Corps with the U.S. Navy and to meet the Corps’ Force Design 2030 efforts.

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A U.S. Marine delivers donation boxes to the Guam Chamber of Commerce to commence the 2020 Toys for Tots Campaign on Oct. 14. - A U.S. Marine delivers donation boxes to the Guam Chamber of Commerce to commence the 2020 Toys for Tots Campaign on Oct. 14.

Toys for Tots Commences in Guam and CNMI

Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz officially began the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign in Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. Now starting the campaign’s eleventh year on Guam and sixth year in the CNMI, this week Marines from MCB Camp Blaz delivered toy collection boxes to participating organizations and businesses. Last year over 8,100 toys were collected on Guam and more than 2,100 in the CNMI, all going to over 5,300 children in Guam, Saipan, Rota and Tinian...

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