Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nathaniel T. Gutierrez, a radio operator with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, takes notes while observing a Neros Archer live-fire range as part of KAMANDAG 10 at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, June 15, 2026. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nathaniel T. Gutierrez, a radio operator with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, takes notes while observing a Neros Archer live-fire range as part of KAMANDAG 10 at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, June 15, 2026. The live-fire event enabled U.S. Marines and Philippine Marine Corps personnel to integrate unmanned aerial systems, communications and reconnaissance capabilities in a realistic operational environment. KAMANDAG 10 is a multi-domain, joint, and combined exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and United States military focused on enhancing maritime security, interoperability, contested logistics, and combined readiness throughout the Philippine archipelago. Gutierrez is from Nevada. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Hageali)

U.S. Marines assigned to 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, drive a Marine Air Defense Integrated System off a Philippine surface connector in support of maritime key terrain security operations during KAMANDAG 10 at Calayan, Philippines, June 22, 2026. - U.S. Marines assigned to 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, drive a Marine Air Defense Integrated System off a Philippine surface connector in support of maritime key terrain security operations during KAMANDAG 10 at Calayan, Philippines, June 22, 2026. KAMANDAG 10 is a multi-domain, joint, and combined exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and United States military focused on enhancing maritime security, interoperability, contested logistics, and combined readiness throughout the Philippine archipelago. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ernesto Lagunes)

U.S. Marines assigned to 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, drive a Marine Air Defense Integrated System off a Philippine surface connector in support of maritime key terrain security operations during KAMANDAG 10 at Calayan, Philippines, June 22, 2026. - U.S. Marines assigned to 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, drive a Marine Air Defense Integrated System off a Philippine surface connector in support of maritime key terrain security operations during KAMANDAG 10 at Calayan, Philippines, June 22, 2026. KAMANDAG 10 is a multi-domain, joint, and combined exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and United States military focused on enhancing maritime security, interoperability, contested logistics, and combined readiness throughout the Philippine archipelago. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ernesto Lagunes)

A Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System is maneuvered on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 16, 2026. The NMESIS is a ground-based offensive anti-ship missile system, used in sea denial and littoral protection to offer a highly mobile and rapidly deployable island defense solution. As the Marine Corps’ purpose-built Division focused on the littorals, 3rd Marine Division remains committed to enhancing its ability to operate in a contested littoral environment and enable the Joint Force. The Division continues to maintain a high degree of operational readiness and flexibility to ensure regional deterrence, contributing to our overall mission of maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sawyer J. Abbott) - A Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System is maneuvered on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 16, 2026. The NMESIS is a ground-based offensive anti-ship missile system, used in sea denial and littoral protection to offer a highly mobile and rapidly deployable island defense solution. As the Marine Corps’ purpose-built Division focused on the littorals, 3rd Marine Division remains committed to enhancing its ability to operate in a contested littoral environment and enable the Joint Force. The Division continues to maintain a high degree of operational readiness and flexibility to ensure regional deterrence, contributing to our overall mission of maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sawyer J. Abbott)

Senior enlisted leaders from across the Indo-Pacific pose for a group photo following the Command Senior Enlisted Leaders Program during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 16, 2026. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year marked the 12th iteration of the symposium, hosting senior leaders from 25 participating nations committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor) - Senior enlisted leaders from across the Indo-Pacific pose for a group photo following the Command Senior Enlisted Leaders Program during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 16, 2026. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year marked the 12th iteration of the symposium, hosting senior leaders from 25 participating nations committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor)

International military spouses pose for a group photo at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency during the spouse program as part of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 18, 2026. The relationships strengthened at PALS contribute to regional stability and crisis response capabilities, supporting mutual international interests. This year's symposium hosted senior leaders from 25 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Audrie Nelson) - International military spouses pose for a group photo at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency during the spouse program as part of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 18, 2026. The relationships strengthened at PALS contribute to regional stability and crisis response capabilities, supporting mutual international interests. This year's symposium hosted senior leaders from 25 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Audrie Nelson)

Senior military leaders with the U.S. Marines Corps and Royal Thai Navy pose for a group photo during a key leader engagement at the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 17, 2026. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year was the 12th iteration of the symposium and hosted senior leaders from 25 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roger-Junior Annoh) - Senior military leaders with the U.S. Marines Corps and Royal Thai Navy pose for a group photo during a key leader engagement at the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 17, 2026. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year was the 12th iteration of the symposium and hosted senior leaders from 25 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roger-Junior Annoh)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James F. Glynn, the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, delivers final remarks during the closing ceremony of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 18, 2026. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year was the 12th iteration of the symposium and hosted senior leaders from 25 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James F. Glynn, the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, delivers final remarks during the closing ceremony of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 18, 2026. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year was the 12th iteration of the symposium and hosted senior leaders from 25 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter)

Senior leaders from across the Indo-Pacific pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 16, 2026. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year was the 12th iteration of the symposium and hosted senior leaders from 25 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco) - Senior leaders from across the Indo-Pacific pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 16, 2026. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year was the 12th iteration of the symposium and hosted senior leaders from 25 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco)