Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade conduct shoulder-to-shoulder communications training with their Philippine Marine counterparts from WESCOM's 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade as part of exercise Balikatan 2015. The exercise is an opportunity for the two nations' militaries to share capabilities and best practices, and to build their partnership. - U.S. Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade conduct shoulder-to-shoulder communications training with their Philippine Marine counterparts from WESCOM's 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade as part of exercise Balikatan 2015. The exercise is an opportunity for the two nations' militaries to share capabilities and best practices, and to build their partnership.

Rosmarie F. Gardose, mayor of Tapaz municipality, and Victor A. Tanco Sr., governor of Capiz province, cut the ceremonial ribbon on a new building at Don Joaquin Artuz Memorial Elementary School in Tapaz, Philippines, during Balikatan 2015, April 27. Armed Forces of the Philippines Army, U.S. Navy and Marine engineers, part of the Combined-Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force on the island of Panay, worked together for 40 days to complete the Philippine Department of Education, modified one-story, two-classroom building. Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder” in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Lowell Whitman/ Released) - Rosmarie F. Gardose, mayor of Tapaz municipality, and Victor A. Tanco Sr., governor of Capiz province, cut the ceremonial ribbon on a new building at Don Joaquin Artuz Memorial Elementary School in Tapaz, Philippines, during Balikatan 2015, April 27. Armed Forces of the Philippines Army, U.S. Navy and Marine engineers, part of the Combined-Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force on the island of Panay, worked together for 40 days to complete the Philippine Department of Education, modified one-story, two-classroom building. Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder” in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Lowell Whitman/ Released)

Dante Pineda, an emergency room nurse from Medical City Clark, Philippines, checks the vital signs of a simulated patient, during a medical evacuation scenario as part of Exercise Balikatan 2015, April 18, 2015. Exercise Balikatan is a regularly conducted exercise focused on scenario-based combined action planning in territorial defense, disaster relief, civic assistance and tactical level field training. - Dante Pineda, an emergency room nurse from Medical City Clark, Philippines, checks the vital signs of a simulated patient, during a medical evacuation scenario as part of Exercise Balikatan 2015, April 18, 2015. Exercise Balikatan is a regularly conducted exercise focused on scenario-based combined action planning in territorial defense, disaster relief, civic assistance and tactical level field training.

U.S. Marines salute while performing the drill movement “eyes-right” during the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day Parade April 25 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. ANZAC Day commemorates the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli peninsula April 25, 1915. This year marked the 100th anniversary of the landing. Marine Rotational Force - Darwin is an excellent opportunity to improve our knowledge of one another’s customs and traditions which ultimately strengthen our military interoperability. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, MRF-D. - U.S. Marines salute while performing the drill movement “eyes-right” during the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day Parade April 25 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. ANZAC Day commemorates the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli peninsula April 25, 1915. This year marked the 100th anniversary of the landing. Marine Rotational Force - Darwin is an excellent opportunity to improve our knowledge of one another’s customs and traditions which ultimately strengthen our military interoperability. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, MRF-D.

Left to right: Lieutenant Luke Morgan, Alpha Troop Commander, 1st Transport Squadron, 1st Combat Service Support Battalion; Lt. Stephen Weir, operations officer with 105 Signal Squadron, 1st Combat Signal Regiment; Sgt. Bradley S. Minge, color sergeant with Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin; Lt. Katherine Newson, maritime logistics officer with Headquarters Northern Command, Joint Operations Command - Australian Theatre; Flight Lieutenant Heath Fulton, operations officer with Joint Task Force 639 ACCE, Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Darwin, Australia. The service members stand before the new location for the national and ensign flags during a ceremony to mark the relocation of service flags April 26 at the Darwin Memorial United Church, Darwin, Australia. The service of worship and ceremony was held in order to relocate the flags to the foyer to create more room for the "Fujita" Peace and Reconciliation Exhibition. Events in the community allow Marines to learn about the history the U.S. and Australia share, and to further the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and Australia. - Left to right: Lieutenant Luke Morgan, Alpha Troop Commander, 1st Transport Squadron, 1st Combat Service Support Battalion; Lt. Stephen Weir, operations officer with 105 Signal Squadron, 1st Combat Signal Regiment; Sgt. Bradley S. Minge, color sergeant with Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin; Lt. Katherine Newson, maritime logistics officer with Headquarters Northern Command, Joint Operations Command - Australian Theatre; Flight Lieutenant Heath Fulton, operations officer with Joint Task Force 639 ACCE, Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Darwin, Australia. The service members stand before the new location for the national and ensign flags during a ceremony to mark the relocation of service flags April 26 at the Darwin Memorial United Church, Darwin, Australia. The service of worship and ceremony was held in order to relocate the flags to the foyer to create more room for the "Fujita" Peace and Reconciliation Exhibition. Events in the community allow Marines to learn about the history the U.S. and Australia share, and to further the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and Australia.

U.S. Army Capt. Jesse Kittel, center left, Detachment 1230 and officer in charge, 324th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Company, Detachment 1230 and officer in charge, Staff Sgt. Chandelle Stone, center right, Detachment 1230 product development detachment noncommissioned officer in charge , 324th PSYOP Company, Detachment 1230 product development detachment noncommissioned officer in charge, and Spc. Edward Shipp, 324th PSYOP Company, center, Detachment 1230 PSYOP specialist, 324th PSYOP Company, say farewell to community leaders of a barangay, or village, after talking with them about exercise Balikatan, April 23, in Bahile, Palawan, Philippines. Kittel, Stone, and Shipp are a part of the BK15 Military Information Support Operations and travel to barangays to inform community members about BK15 and strengthen relationships with the Philippines. This year marks the 31st iteration of the exercise, which is an annual Philippines-U.S. bilateral military training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance engagement. - U.S. Army Capt. Jesse Kittel, center left, Detachment 1230 and officer in charge, 324th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Company, Detachment 1230 and officer in charge, Staff Sgt. Chandelle Stone, center right, Detachment 1230 product development detachment noncommissioned officer in charge , 324th PSYOP Company, Detachment 1230 product development detachment noncommissioned officer in charge, and Spc. Edward Shipp, 324th PSYOP Company, center, Detachment 1230 PSYOP specialist, 324th PSYOP Company, say farewell to community leaders of a barangay, or village, after talking with them about exercise Balikatan, April 23, in Bahile, Palawan, Philippines. Kittel, Stone, and Shipp are a part of the BK15 Military Information Support Operations and travel to barangays to inform community members about BK15 and strengthen relationships with the Philippines. This year marks the 31st iteration of the exercise, which is an annual Philippines-U.S. bilateral military training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance engagement.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Corey Gates, 673rd Civil Engineer Group, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning craftsman, helps raise a backboard during construction a multipurpose basketball court during exercise Balikatan 2015, in San Rafael on the island of Palawan, Philippines, April 25. The construction of the basketball court was a part of an discretionary project that included excess materials and donations. This year marks the 31st iteration of the exercise, which is an annual Philippine-U.S. bilateral military training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance engagement. - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Corey Gates, 673rd Civil Engineer Group, a heating, ventilation, air conditioning craftsman, helps raise a backboard during construction a multipurpose basketball court during exercise Balikatan 2015, in San Rafael on the island of Palawan, Philippines, April 25. The construction of the basketball court was a part of an discretionary project that included excess materials and donations. This year marks the 31st iteration of the exercise, which is an annual Philippine-U.S. bilateral military training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance engagement.

Sgt. Coty Lyttle (left) and Sgt. Jonathan McDonald prepare to present the Marine Corps colors during the ANZAC Day Ceremony April 25, 2015, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The day commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign, fought by Australian-New Zealand Army Corps forces in World War I. The battle is remembered for the valiant men and the significant losses the nations both suffered. Those who fought are known as “ANZACS” and are honored in one of the most recognized holidays in the South Pacific. - Sgt. Coty Lyttle (left) and Sgt. Jonathan McDonald prepare to present the Marine Corps colors during the ANZAC Day Ceremony April 25, 2015, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The day commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign, fought by Australian-New Zealand Army Corps forces in World War I. The battle is remembered for the valiant men and the significant losses the nations both suffered. Those who fought are known as “ANZACS” and are honored in one of the most recognized holidays in the South Pacific.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Corps Capt. Maria Blessila Bentos, left, Naval Forces West command surgeon, provides feedback during a mass casualty exercise after action report alongside U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Gary Held, center, 374th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician and Cooperative Health Engagement instructor, and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bryan Garret, right, Alpha Company, Civil Affairs Battalion medic and CHE instructor, during exercise Balikatan’s first responder training course in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, April 22. U.S. military and AFP instructors worked shoulder-to-shoulder to train 179 health workers and other members of other local agencies to learn skills and techniques to better respond to a mass casualty. This year marks the 31st iteration of the exercise, which is an annual Philippine-U.S. bilateral military training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance engagement. - Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Corps Capt. Maria Blessila Bentos, left, Naval Forces West command surgeon, provides feedback during a mass casualty exercise after action report alongside U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Gary Held, center, 374th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician and Cooperative Health Engagement instructor, and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bryan Garret, right, Alpha Company, Civil Affairs Battalion medic and CHE instructor, during exercise Balikatan’s first responder training course in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, April 22. U.S. military and AFP instructors worked shoulder-to-shoulder to train 179 health workers and other members of other local agencies to learn skills and techniques to better respond to a mass casualty. This year marks the 31st iteration of the exercise, which is an annual Philippine-U.S. bilateral military training exercise and humanitarian civic assistance engagement.

Exercise Director Vice Adm. Alexander Lopez, Armed Forces of the Philippines; Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin; Acting Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia; U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg; Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., AFP; and US Assistant Exercise Director Brig. Gen. Christopher Mahoney, USMC, stand "shoulder-to-shoulder" at the opening ceremony of Exercise Balikatan 2015 at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Philippines, to characterize the partnership between the two countries. - Exercise Director Vice Adm. Alexander Lopez, Armed Forces of the Philippines; Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin; Acting Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia; U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg; Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., AFP; and US Assistant Exercise Director Brig. Gen. Christopher Mahoney, USMC, stand "shoulder-to-shoulder" at the opening ceremony of Exercise Balikatan 2015 at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Philippines, to characterize the partnership between the two countries.