Pacific Marines Stories

Sgt. Greg Wubben, civil affairs non-commissioned officer with 1st Civil Affairs Group, from Ridgefield, Wash., talks with an Air Force cadet while coalition forces visited the Timaru Christian School during exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Timaru, New Zealand, Nov. 20. SK13 allows our service members to collaborate with partner countries to achieve mutual security goals, address shared concerns and continue to enhance our interoperability. - Sgt. Greg Wubben, civil affairs non-commissioned officer with 1st Civil Affairs Group, from Ridgefield, Wash., talks with an Air Force cadet while coalition forces visited the Timaru Christian School during exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Timaru, New Zealand, Nov. 20. SK13 allows our service members to collaborate with partner countries to achieve mutual security goals, address shared concerns and continue to enhance our interoperability.

U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Daniel L. Shields greets the Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Dec. 3 at the BRIDEX Exhibition Center in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, during the 4th Biennial Brunei Darussalam International Defense Exhibition and Conference. The five-day event includes displays and demonstrations of military equipment, with the theme of bridging the capability gap. BRIDEX 13 is an opportunity for communication and cooperation with regional partners and allies, builds strong multilateral relationships and enhances preparedness for disasters and other contingency operations. U.S. participation in BRIDEX 13 demonstrates cooperative engagement with Brunei and continued commitment to regional security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. McGillicuddy is chief of staff, Pacific Air Force. - U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Daniel L. Shields greets the Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Dec. 3 at the BRIDEX Exhibition Center in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, during the 4th Biennial Brunei Darussalam International Defense Exhibition and Conference. The five-day event includes displays and demonstrations of military equipment, with the theme of bridging the capability gap. BRIDEX 13 is an opportunity for communication and cooperation with regional partners and allies, builds strong multilateral relationships and enhances preparedness for disasters and other contingency operations. U.S. participation in BRIDEX 13 demonstrates cooperative engagement with Brunei and continued commitment to regional security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. McGillicuddy is chief of staff, Pacific Air Force.

Percussionist from the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band performed a crowd-pleasing drum line at the conclusion of this year’s concert at the historic Hawaii Theatre here Dec. 1. The MarForPac Band, along with BAE Systems and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai’i, presented the 6th annual Na Mele o na Keiki (Music for the Children) Holiday Concert - Percussionist from the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band performed a crowd-pleasing drum line at the conclusion of this year’s concert at the historic Hawaii Theatre here Dec. 1. The MarForPac Band, along with BAE Systems and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai’i, presented the 6th annual Na Mele o na Keiki (Music for the Children) Holiday Concert

The USS Arizona Memorial sits atop the USS Arizona here Nov.25, which has rested at the bottom of the harbor since the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Members of the Chaplain Corps visited the memorial to pay tribute to the fallen victims. - The USS Arizona Memorial sits atop the USS Arizona here Nov.25, which has rested at the bottom of the harbor since the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Members of the Chaplain Corps visited the memorial to pay tribute to the fallen victims.

Sgt. Greg Wubben, a civil affairs non-commissioned officer with 1st Civil Affairs Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Ridgefield, Wash., waits for a familiarization brief on New Zealand helicopters during the initial stages of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Linton Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 4. SK13 is designed to improve participating forces’ combat training, readiness and interoperability as part of a Joint Inter-Agency Task Force. - Sgt. Greg Wubben, a civil affairs non-commissioned officer with 1st Civil Affairs Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Ridgefield, Wash., waits for a familiarization brief on New Zealand helicopters during the initial stages of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Linton Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 4. SK13 is designed to improve participating forces’ combat training, readiness and interoperability as part of a Joint Inter-Agency Task Force.

Capt. Gareth Collings, logistics advisor with 2 Engineer Regiment, from New Plymouth, New Zealand, gives a tactical movement brief during Phase I of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Timaru, New Zealand, Nov. 12. SK13 strengthens military to military relationships and cooperation with partner nations and the New Zealand Defence Force. - Capt. Gareth Collings, logistics advisor with 2 Engineer Regiment, from New Plymouth, New Zealand, gives a tactical movement brief during Phase I of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Timaru, New Zealand, Nov. 12. SK13 strengthens military to military relationships and cooperation with partner nations and the New Zealand Defence Force.

Wing Commander Darryl Cockroft, commanding officer of 209 Expeditionary Support Squadron, from Napier, New Zealand, talks to Dr. Jonathan Coleman, New Zealand Minister of Defence, during exercise Southern Katipo 2013 at Timaru Airfield, New Zealand, Nov. 15. SK13 allows our service members to collaborate with partner countries to achieve mutual security goals, address shared concerns and continue to enhance our interoperability. - Wing Commander Darryl Cockroft, commanding officer of 209 Expeditionary Support Squadron, from Napier, New Zealand, talks to Dr. Jonathan Coleman, New Zealand Minister of Defence, during exercise Southern Katipo 2013 at Timaru Airfield, New Zealand, Nov. 15. SK13 allows our service members to collaborate with partner countries to achieve mutual security goals, address shared concerns and continue to enhance our interoperability.

Lance Cpl. Ryo Bolanos, the youngest Marine and a forward observer with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company ceremoniously receives cake from Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gordon Butler, oldest Marine and motor transport officer with Combat Logistics Regiment 15, from Greenbush, Minn., at the 238th Marine Corps birthday celebration during exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Linton Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 10. SK13 is designed to improve participating forces’ combat training, readiness and interoperability as part of a Joint Inter-Agency Task Force. - Lance Cpl. Ryo Bolanos, the youngest Marine and a forward observer with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company ceremoniously receives cake from Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gordon Butler, oldest Marine and motor transport officer with Combat Logistics Regiment 15, from Greenbush, Minn., at the 238th Marine Corps birthday celebration during exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Linton Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 10. SK13 is designed to improve participating forces’ combat training, readiness and interoperability as part of a Joint Inter-Agency Task Force.

Cpl. Thomas Cornwall, military policeman with 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, from Ventura, Calif., and other members of a personal protection team receive a safety brief prior to a familiarization shooting range with the Individual Weapon (IW) Steyr assault rifle during the initial stages of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 at Waiouru Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 7. SK13 increases the ability of all participants to coordinate in complex situations. - Cpl. Thomas Cornwall, military policeman with 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, from Ventura, Calif., and other members of a personal protection team receive a safety brief prior to a familiarization shooting range with the Individual Weapon (IW) Steyr assault rifle during the initial stages of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 at Waiouru Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 7. SK13 increases the ability of all participants to coordinate in complex situations.

Pvt. Jonathan Sorensen, sapper with 2 Field Squadron Royal Engineers, from Christchurch, New Zealand, looks through his optic to identify hidden improvised explosive devices at combat hunter training during the initial stages of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Waiouru Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 9. SK13 allows service members to collaborate with partner countries to achieve mutual security goals, address shared concerns and continue to enhance our interoperability. - Pvt. Jonathan Sorensen, sapper with 2 Field Squadron Royal Engineers, from Christchurch, New Zealand, looks through his optic to identify hidden improvised explosive devices at combat hunter training during the initial stages of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Waiouru Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 9. SK13 allows service members to collaborate with partner countries to achieve mutual security goals, address shared concerns and continue to enhance our interoperability.