Pacific Marines Stories

From left, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert Bunn, deputy commanding officer of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Brig. Gen. Omar Randall, commanding general of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Navy Command Master Chief Casey Wheeler, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Rene Camarillo, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 command element, pose for a photo with Marines and Sailors with the command element for the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 on Fort Bonifacio, Philippines, May 7, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo by 1st Lt. Chase Colin) - From left, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert Bunn, deputy commanding officer of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Brig. Gen. Omar Randall, commanding general of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Navy Command Master Chief Casey Wheeler, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Rene Camarillo, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 command element, pose for a photo with Marines and Sailors with the command element for the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 on Fort Bonifacio, Philippines, May 7, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo by 1st Lt. Chase Colin)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bowen Miles, a field artillery cannoneer, with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, operates a Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Cagayan North International Airport, Philippines, April 21, 2026. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bowen Miles, a field artillery cannoneer, with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, operates a Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Cagayan North International Airport, Philippines, April 21, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. Miles is a native of Utah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ernesto Lagunes)

U.S. Marines assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force and Philippine contractors onload a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement onto a Philippine barge in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, March 17, 2026. - U.S. Marines assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force and Philippine contractors onload a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement onto a Philippine barge in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, March 17, 2026. The prepositioning of equipment in support of Exercise Balikatan 26 demonstrates how Maritime Prepositioning Force processes operationalize distributed sustainment by conducting offload, distribution, and regeneration of equipment through afloat platforms, ashore nodes, and transportation networks to distribute equipment across multiple locations. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen our ironclad alliance, improve our capable combined force, and demonstrate our commitment to regional security and stability.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Madison M. Luciano)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Paul Cordes, commanding officer of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, awards Sgt. Garrett Sloan, a loadmaster with VMGR-153, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 5, 2026. Sloan received the award after rescuing two local children who were swept out to sea by a rip current while swimming at Makapu’u beach. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chandler Evans) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Paul Cordes, commanding officer of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, awards Sgt. Garrett Sloan, a loadmaster with VMGR-153, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 5, 2026. Sloan received the award after rescuing two local children who were swept out to sea by a rip current while swimming at Makapu’u beach. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chandler Evans)

U.S. Marines with Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, test custom-built unmanned surface vessels at Naval Base White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, March 9, 2026. The Marine made systems were evaluated by employing on-board communication systems on rubber rafts in varying sea states by analyzing different haul types and designs. (Courtesy Photo by Expedition Operations Training Group) - U.S. Marines with Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, test custom-built unmanned surface vessels at Naval Base White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, March 9, 2026. The Marine made systems were evaluated by employing on-board communication systems on rubber rafts in varying sea states by analyzing different haul types and designs. (Courtesy Photo by Expedition Operations Training Group)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert S. Bunn, center left, the incoming commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Col. Robb T. McDonald, the outgoing commanding officer of MRF-SEA, pose for a photo with Philippine Air Force Lt. Gen. Aristotle D. Gonzalez, left, the commanding general of Northern Luzon Command, and Brig. Gen. Cesar A. Molina, the deputy commander of NOLCOM, during a key leader engagement at Camp Aquino, Philippines. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert S. Bunn, center left, the incoming commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Col. Robb T. McDonald, the outgoing commanding officer of MRF-SEA, pose for a photo with Philippine Air Force Lt. Gen. Aristotle D. Gonzalez, left, the commanding general of Northern Luzon Command, and Brig. Gen. Cesar A. Molina, the deputy commander of NOLCOM, during a key leader engagement at Camp Aquino, Philippines.

U.S. Marines Corps Pfc. Roman Juba, a rifleman with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, provides rear security during close quarter battle drills in a “shoot house” training facility at Camp Story, Republic of Korea, March 2, 2026. 12th LCT Marines trained in specialized combat marksmanship tactics, including room clearing, navigating stairways and hallways, and overcoming obstacles in confined environments. The training simulated a fast-paced, high-stress scenario to enhance situational awareness. Juba is a native of Missouri. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert Blanks) - U.S. Marines Corps Pfc. Roman Juba, a rifleman with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, provides rear security during close quarter battle drills in a “shoot house” training facility at Camp Story, Republic of Korea, March 2, 2026. 12th LCT Marines trained in specialized combat marksmanship tactics, including room clearing, navigating stairways and hallways, and overcoming obstacles in confined environments. The training simulated a fast-paced, high-stress scenario to enhance situational awareness. Juba is a native of Missouri. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert Blanks)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, III Marine Expeditionary Force Commander, gives a challenge coin to a Republic of Korea Marine Corps Marine with 1st ROK Marine Division during exercise Freedom Shield 26 in Pohang, Republic of Korea, March 16, 2026. The exercise prepares participants to respond to a range of emerging threats, including cyber warfare, missile defense, and asymmetric tactics, ensuring a comprehensive approach to national defense. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Wetzel) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, III Marine Expeditionary Force Commander, gives a challenge coin to a Republic of Korea Marine Corps Marine with 1st ROK Marine Division during exercise Freedom Shield 26 in Pohang, Republic of Korea, March 16, 2026. The exercise prepares participants to respond to a range of emerging threats, including cyber warfare, missile defense, and asymmetric tactics, ensuring a comprehensive approach to national defense. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

U.S. Marines with India Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, navigate into a wedge formation for a night raid at Kin Blue Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 15, 2025. This training aimed to enhance the ability to conduct boat raids using the newly fielded enhanced combat rubber reconnaissance craft. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rebeka Falcon) - U.S. Marines with India Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, navigate into a wedge formation for a night raid at Kin Blue Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 15, 2025. This training aimed to enhance the ability to conduct boat raids using the newly fielded enhanced combat rubber reconnaissance craft. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rebeka Falcon)