Pacific Marines Stories

The I Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general salutes the colors with past I MEF commanding generals during the I MEF change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 21, 2025 - The I Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general salutes the colors with past I MEF commanding generals during the I MEF change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 21, 2025. Lt. Gen. Michael S. Cederholm relinquished command of I MEF to Lt. Gen. Christian F. Wortman during the ceremony, signifying the transfer of command and responsibility of I MEF. I MEF provides combatant commanders a globally responsive, expeditionary, and fully scalable Marine Air-Ground Task Force, capable of generating, deploying, and employing ready forces and formations for crisis response, forward presence, major combat operations, and campaigns. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jordan Searls)

U.S. Navy Seaman Tristian Flowers, left, a builder constructionman with Airfield Construction Company Bravo, Naval Mobile Construction Group 5, Naval Construction Force, and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jose Rodriguez, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, rake concrete during Operation Resilient Spear at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 8, 2025. Operation Resilient Spear is an opportunity for Marines with MWSS-372 to integrate and train with NMCB-5 through Base Recovery After Attack and Airfield Damage Repair Training to increase interoperability between Marine Corps engineers and Navy Seabees. Flowers is a native of New York, and Rodriguez is a native of California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexander Vaughn) - U.S. Navy Seaman Tristian Flowers, left, a builder constructionman with Airfield Construction Company Bravo, Naval Mobile Construction Group 5, Naval Construction Force, and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jose Rodriguez, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, rake concrete during Operation Resilient Spear at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 8, 2025. Operation Resilient Spear is an opportunity for Marines with MWSS-372 to integrate and train with NMCB-5 through Base Recovery After Attack and Airfield Damage Repair Training to increase interoperability between Marine Corps engineers and Navy Seabees. Flowers is a native of New York, and Rodriguez is a native of California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexander Vaughn)

uniformed U.S. Airmen wearing headsets fly MQ-9 simulators - 17th Attack Squadron MQ-9 pilots fly in Bamboo Eagle 25-3, a combat-realistic scenario in combined live-fly, virtual, and constructive exercise, at the 705th Combat Training Squadron, also known as the Distributed Mission Operations Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, on Aug. 5, 2025. The DMOC's live, virtual, and constructive, or LVC, training environment provides a high-fidelity proving ground where commanders and battle managers can practice decision-making in contested, degraded, and operationally complex environments without risk to life or assets. (Screens and whiteboards were blurred and security badges were removed for security purposes. Photo cropped to focus on subject.) (U.S. Air Force photo by Amn Alenne Mojica)

An MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 25.3, flies in a formation flight with CV-22 Ospreys assigned to 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, near Lal-lo, Philippines, during a foreign disaster relief operation, Aug. 3, 2025. - An MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 25.3, flies in a formation flight with CV-22 Ospreys assigned to 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, near Lal-lo, Philippines, during a foreign disaster relief operation, Aug. 3, 2025. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the MRF-D 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force is working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief to communities affected by consecutive storms and the southwest monsoon. The forward presence and ready posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitates rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

Sgt. Maj. Joy M. Kitashima, center, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, thanks Fleet Command Master Sgt. Feliciano A. Lazo, right, sergeant major, Armed Forces of the Philippines, in front of group of senior enlisted leaders from several countries during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, July 8, 2025, in Manila, Philippines. As part of PALS, this was the first time senior enlisted leaders had a dedicated forum to come together to build relationships and discuss ways to better mentor, lead, and develop their enlisted forces. Through discussions, engagements, and presentations, PALS enhances cooperation, tackles common threats, protects shared resources, and maintains sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. Master Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy M. Vought, left, senior enlisted advisor of communication strategy and operations, MARFORPAC, prepares a gift to be presented to Lazo. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Marine Corps) - Sgt. Maj. Joy M. Kitashima, center, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, thanks Fleet Command Master Sgt. Feliciano A. Lazo, right, sergeant major, Armed Forces of the Philippines, in front of group of senior enlisted leaders from several countries during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, July 8, 2025, in Manila, Philippines. As part of PALS, this was the first time senior enlisted leaders had a dedicated forum to come together to build relationships and discuss ways to better mentor, lead, and develop their enlisted forces. Through discussions, engagements, and presentations, PALS enhances cooperation, tackles common threats, protects shared resources, and maintains sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. Master Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy M. Vought, left, senior enlisted advisor of communication strategy and operations, MARFORPAC, prepares a gift to be presented to Lazo. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Marine Corps)

The Marines conducted the training utilizing buoys to detect underwater acoustics for ships and submarines in order to increase U.S. naval forces capabilities to detect and deter in the undersea domain. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Workman is a native of Indiana. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Mason Workman, an aerial observer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets parameters for the directional command activated sonobuoy system buoy during anti-submarine warfare training, in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 8, 2025.

U.S. Marines with Kilo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, conduct a dry-fire run with an M777 Howitzer during Talisman Sabre 25 in the Northern Territory, Australia, July 11, 2025. - U.S. Marines with Kilo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, conduct a dry-fire run with an M777 Howitzer during Talisman Sabre 25 in the Northern Territory, Australia, July 11, 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Keegan Jones)

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, begin loading bags onto an MV-22B Osprey before departing to the Philippines, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, July 26, 2025. At the request of the government of the Philippines, U.S. Marines with the MRF-D 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force are working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide urgent lifesaving support to communities affected by consecutive storms and the southwest monsoon. The forward presence and ready posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitates rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to allies and partners during times of need. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian A. Stippey) - U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, begin loading bags onto an MV-22B Osprey before departing to the Philippines, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, July 26, 2025. At the request of the government of the Philippines, U.S. Marines with the MRF-D 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force are working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide urgent lifesaving support to communities affected by consecutive storms and the southwest monsoon. The forward presence and ready posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitates rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to allies and partners during times of need. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian A. Stippey)

Philippine Marine Staff Sgt. Geraldine Corbita of Zamboanga, Philippines, listens as a guest speaker discusses the critical role of Independent Duty Corpsmen (IDC) as sole medical providers in remote environments during the IDC Class 24025 graduation at the Surface Warfare Medical Institute (SWMI) in San Diego on July 11, 2025. - Philippine Marine Staff Sgt. Geraldine Corbita of Zamboanga, Philippines, listens as a guest speaker discusses the critical role of Independent Duty Corpsmen (IDC) as sole medical providers in remote environments during the IDC Class 24025 graduation at the Surface Warfare Medical Institute (SWMI) in San Diego on July 11, 2025. Corbita is the first Philippine Navy Marine corpsman to graduate from the U.S. Navy IDC School, a milestone signaling a strengthened alliance between the U.S. and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). (U.S. Navy photo by Arsenio R. Cortez Jr.)

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, pose for a group photo after providing support for the triathlon time trial held in preparation for the Pacific Mini Games during Koa Moana 25 on Ngiwal, Palau, June 21, 2025. - U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, pose for a group photo after providing support for the triathlon time trial held in preparation for the Pacific Mini Games during Koa Moana 25 on Ngiwal, Palau, June 21, 2025. Koa Moana 25 is an annual partnership in the Indo-Pacific region that strengthens established relationships, bolsters theater security cooperation, and enhances the resilience of our allies and partners through community outreach, medical and civic assistance, infrastructure improvement projects, and key leader exchanges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Desiree Ruiz)