U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific stand in formation during the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 12, 2024. With two-thirds of the Marine Corps operating forces assigned, MARFORPAC operates in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, the largest Geographical Combatant Command in the U.S. Department of Defense, as the Nation’s expedition force and like-minded allies and partners to preserve and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ash McLaughlin) - U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific stand in formation during the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 12, 2024. With two-thirds of the Marine Corps operating forces assigned, MARFORPAC operates in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, the largest Geographical Combatant Command in the U.S. Department of Defense, as the Nation’s expedition force and like-minded allies and partners to preserve and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ash McLaughlin)

U.S. Marines from C Company, 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, stand in formation alongside members of the French Armed Forces during the Bazeilles Day Ceremony in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Sept. 5, 2024. The celebration of the 154th Bazeilles Day commemorates a pivotal moment for the French Armed Forces during the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 where French marines were outnumbered by their enemy ten-to-one during one of the first recorded instances of urban warfare. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor) - U.S. Marines from C Company, 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, stand in formation alongside members of the French Armed Forces during the Bazeilles Day Ceremony in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Sept. 5, 2024. The celebration of the 154th Bazeilles Day commemorates a pivotal moment for the French Armed Forces during the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 where French marines were outnumbered by their enemy ten-to-one during one of the first recorded instances of urban warfare. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor)

Exercise SY 24 strengthens the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Peyton Kahle) - A U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle attached to Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, enters the water from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) in waters east of South Korea, Sept. 1, 2024, during exercise Ssang Yong 24.

U.S. Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Australian Defence Force Soldiers, and Indonesian National Armed Forces, prepare a simulated casualty for treatment as part of a mass casualty exercise during Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AUSINDO 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 20, 2024. - U.S. Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Australian Defence Force Soldiers, and Indonesian National Armed Forces, prepare a simulated casualty for treatment as part of a mass casualty exercise during Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AUSINDO 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 20, 2024. BKA 24, previously named Crocodile Response, is a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise focused on strengthening the cooperation and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps, TNI, ADF, and other government agencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

While ashore at Camp Mujuk, the 15th MEU conducted a maintenance exercise to complete preventive maintenance checks and services, corrective maintenance, equipment modifications, and calibrations to ensure ground equipment readiness. Elements of the 15th MEU are currently located in South Korea to conduct integrated training with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps to contribute toward combined capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Amelia Kang) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Bryan Acosta, automotive maintenance technician, Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of California, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Installation Camp Mujuk, Pohang, South Korea, Aug. 20, 2024.

Ratliff is a native of Indiana. KMEP is a bilateral training exercise that increases interoperability and strengthens the combined capabilities of ROK and U.S. Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paley Fenner) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Grace Ratliff, right, an engineer assistant with Company B, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Marines with 8th Engineer Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, prepare a ROK KM16 anti-personnel practice mine during a bilateral conventional minefield exchange during Korean Marine Exchange Program 24.2 on Gunha-Rhi, Gyeonggi, South Korea, Aug. 1, 2024.

Republic of Korea Marines with 1st ROK Marine Division prepare for first contact with land while conducting a ship to shore movement in Korean assault amphibious vehicles during exercise Ssang Yong 24 in waters east of the coast of Korea, South Korea, Sept. 1, 2024. Exercise SY24 strengthens the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John J. Simpson) - Republic of Korea Marines with 1st ROK Marine Division prepare for first contact with land while conducting a ship to shore movement in Korean assault amphibious vehicles during exercise Ssang Yong 24 in waters east of the coast of Korea, South Korea, Sept. 1, 2024. Exercise SY24 strengthens the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John J. Simpson)

U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit offload equipment from a U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) attached to Assault Craft Unit 5 at Dogu Beach, South Korea, Aug. 8, 2024, to support integrated training with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. Integrated training between the two countries strengthens the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini) - U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit offload equipment from a U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) attached to Assault Craft Unit 5 at Dogu Beach, South Korea, Aug. 8, 2024, to support integrated training with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. Integrated training between the two countries strengthens the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini)

U.S. Marines and Soldiers pose during the Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 25, 2024. Marine Air Support Squadron 3 hosted its first three-week U.S. Army ADAFCO course, with 10 soldiers and four Marines. The ADAFCO course is designed to teach and develop the necessary skills to integrate Army Air and Missile Defense engagement operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez) - U.S. Marines and Soldiers pose during the Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 25, 2024. Marine Air Support Squadron 3 hosted its first three-week U.S. Army ADAFCO course, with 10 soldiers and four Marines. The ADAFCO course is designed to teach and develop the necessary skills to integrate Army Air and Missile Defense engagement operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

Malaysian soldiers and Mexican Naval Infantry Corps marines drive a combat rubber raiding craft onto the beach during a small boat training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Waimanalo, Hawaii, during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 17. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in and around the Hawaiian Islands June 27 to Aug. 1. The world's largest international maritime exercise; RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms) - Malaysian soldiers and Mexican Naval Infantry Corps marines drive a combat rubber raiding craft onto the beach during a small boat training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Waimanalo, Hawaii, during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 17. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in and around the Hawaiian Islands June 27 to Aug. 1. The world's largest international maritime exercise; RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)