Pacific Marines Stories

Competitors begin running following the blare of the starting horn during the annual Camp Smith 5K Grueler here, July 28. More than 210 military and civilian runners of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels participated in this year’s race. The event gave Marines in different work sections a chance to bond, as well as build esprit de corps, said Capt. Greg Wagner, commander of Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. The large turnout allowed for some of the proceeds to offset ticket prices for junior service members during MarForPac’s Marine Corps birthday ball in November. - Competitors begin running following the blare of the starting horn during the annual Camp Smith 5K Grueler here, July 28. More than 210 military and civilian runners of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels participated in this year’s race. The event gave Marines in different work sections a chance to bond, as well as build esprit de corps, said Capt. Greg Wagner, commander of Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. The large turnout allowed for some of the proceeds to offset ticket prices for junior service members during MarForPac’s Marine Corps birthday ball in November.

(From left) Kahu (Hawaiian minister) Curt Pa’alua Kekuna, Lloyd Arakaki, principal at Architects Hawaii, Ltd., Col. Brent S. Willson, commander of Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Dave Ott, AMEC vice president, pray together during a blessing ceremony at the construction site of the new fitness center here July 18. The fitness center is expected to be open by August 2013. - (From left) Kahu (Hawaiian minister) Curt Pa’alua Kekuna, Lloyd Arakaki, principal at Architects Hawaii, Ltd., Col. Brent S. Willson, commander of Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Dave Ott, AMEC vice president, pray together during a blessing ceremony at the construction site of the new fitness center here July 18. The fitness center is expected to be open by August 2013.

Sgt. Maj. James R. Futrell (center), U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific sergeant major, salutes Lt. Gen. Duane D. Thiessen (left), commander of MarForPac, before passing the noncommissioned officer sword during the relief, appointment and retirement ceremony at Dewey Square here July 19. The transfer of the NCO sword, a symbol of an NCO's ability and prestige as an enlisted leader, signifies the transfer of the sacred trust of the office from one sergeant major to another. Futrell was replaced by Sgt. Maj. William T. Stables (right). - Sgt. Maj. James R. Futrell (center), U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific sergeant major, salutes Lt. Gen. Duane D. Thiessen (left), commander of MarForPac, before passing the noncommissioned officer sword during the relief, appointment and retirement ceremony at Dewey Square here July 19. The transfer of the NCO sword, a symbol of an NCO's ability and prestige as an enlisted leader, signifies the transfer of the sacred trust of the office from one sergeant major to another. Futrell was replaced by Sgt. Maj. William T. Stables (right).

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Kyle Durant, Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon commander, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii – Kane’ohe Bay, uses a radio to communicate with the USS Essex (LHD-2) from Pyramid Rock beach July 12, during Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2012. Approximately 2,200 troops from nine countries are part of the Combined Force Land Component Command, and will be conducting amphibious and land-based operations throughout the exercise in order to enhance mutual capabilities and joint interoperability. - U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Kyle Durant, Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon commander, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii – Kane’ohe Bay, uses a radio to communicate with the USS Essex (LHD-2) from Pyramid Rock beach July 12, during Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2012. Approximately 2,200 troops from nine countries are part of the Combined Force Land Component Command, and will be conducting amphibious and land-based operations throughout the exercise in order to enhance mutual capabilities and joint interoperability.

Cpl. Nicholas P. Brazil, helicopter crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, adjusts radio wires aboard a UH-1Y Super Huey July 7 during cross-cockpit training with pilots of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 as part of Rim of the Pacific 2012. Multiple detachments of aviation and support units will be assigned to HMH 463 (reinforced) during RIMPAC 12 to comprise the aviation combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 3. Approximately 2,200 personnel from nine nations comprise SPMAGTF-3, Combined Force Land Component Command. The CFLCC is conducting amphibious and land-based operations in order to enhance multinational and joint interoperability. - Cpl. Nicholas P. Brazil, helicopter crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, adjusts radio wires aboard a UH-1Y Super Huey July 7 during cross-cockpit training with pilots of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 as part of Rim of the Pacific 2012. Multiple detachments of aviation and support units will be assigned to HMH 463 (reinforced) during RIMPAC 12 to comprise the aviation combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 3. Approximately 2,200 personnel from nine nations comprise SPMAGTF-3, Combined Force Land Component Command. The CFLCC is conducting amphibious and land-based operations in order to enhance multinational and joint interoperability.

Competitors burst forward following a bullhorn blast for the 15th annual 5K Grueler, a race that was a part of the 101 Days of Summer program in 2011. The race, among a series of other events, will be hosted here again July 28 in support of the program in order to eliminate illegal drug use and promote responsible use of alcohol. - Competitors burst forward following a bullhorn blast for the 15th annual 5K Grueler, a race that was a part of the 101 Days of Summer program in 2011. The race, among a series of other events, will be hosted here again July 28 in support of the program in order to eliminate illegal drug use and promote responsible use of alcohol.

Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and a Marine from 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment move in as a fireteam to clear a roof top during a Military Operations on Urban Terrain exercise at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows on July, 6. Approximately 2,200 personnel from nine nations are participating in RIMPAC 2012 as part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 3, Combined Force Land Component Command. The CFLCC is conducting amphibious and land-based operations in order to enhance multinational and joint interoperability. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. - Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and a Marine from 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment move in as a fireteam to clear a roof top during a Military Operations on Urban Terrain exercise at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows on July, 6. Approximately 2,200 personnel from nine nations are participating in RIMPAC 2012 as part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 3, Combined Force Land Component Command. The CFLCC is conducting amphibious and land-based operations in order to enhance multinational and joint interoperability. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Marines from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, stand in formation during MarForPac Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Ronald F. Baczkowski’s retirement ceremony here at Bordelon Field, June 29. Baczkowski retired after 32 years in the Marine Corps. - Marines from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, stand in formation during MarForPac Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Ronald F. Baczkowski’s retirement ceremony here at Bordelon Field, June 29. Baczkowski retired after 32 years in the Marine Corps.