Pacific Marines Stories

Mongolia’s Honor Guard prepares to march during the opening ceremony for “Khaan Quest“ a multinational peacekeeping training exercise Aug. 15 to Aug. 25. Participating nations include from the US, Mongolia, Singapore, Germany, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan, Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Balmer) - Mongolia’s Honor Guard prepares to march during the opening ceremony for “Khaan Quest“ a multinational peacekeeping training exercise Aug. 15 to Aug. 25. Participating nations include from the US, Mongolia, Singapore, Germany, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan, Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Balmer)

Mongolian, US forces prepare Five Hills Training Area for Khaan Quest 2009

Mongolian Armed Forces, along with U.S. cooperation, are currently finalizing preparations of the Five Hills Training Area for Khaan Quest 2009, a multi-national training exercise with the goal of increasing peace support operation core competencies.Located near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and established in 1983, Five Hills Training Area is a

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Lt. Gen. Keith J. Stalder, commanding general, MARFORPAC, speaks with Marines from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 15 at Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia. Stalder thanked the Marines for their ensuing participation in Khaan Quest 2009 and expressed his gratitude for their efforts in continuing to uphold peacekeeping operations around the world. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel H. Woodall) - Lt. Gen. Keith J. Stalder, commanding general, MARFORPAC, speaks with Marines from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 15 at Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia. Stalder thanked the Marines for their ensuing participation in Khaan Quest 2009 and expressed his gratitude for their efforts in continuing to uphold peacekeeping operations around the world. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel H. Woodall)

Lt. Gen. Stalder Tours Five Hills Training Area

Lieutenant Gen. Keith J. Stalder, commanding general, Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, visited the Five Hills Training Area Aug. 15 to attend the opening ceremony of Khaan Quest 2009 and to meet with participating U.S. forces.Khaan Quest 2009, a multi-national peace support training exercise, began earlier this month with the United Nations Staff

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A Mongolian Armed Forces officer teaches U.S. Marines from 1st Platoon, Company E, 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 1st Marine Division about the AK-47 Assault rifle at the Five Hills Training Area as part of Khaan Quest 2009 in Mongolia on Aug. 14. The Marines and Mongolians exchanged knowledge about their respective weapon systems. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nathan McCord) - A Mongolian Armed Forces officer teaches U.S. Marines from 1st Platoon, Company E, 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 1st Marine Division about the AK-47 Assault rifle at the Five Hills Training Area as part of Khaan Quest 2009 in Mongolia on Aug. 14. The Marines and Mongolians exchanged knowledge about their respective weapon systems. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nathan McCord)

Every clime and place: Marines train alongside Mongolian Army

Over the windswept steppe near Ulaanbaatar, Lance Cpl. Travis G. Floyd trekked through a live fire course in a part of the world he never expected to see.“This is the kind of thing that I joined the Marine Corps for, this is great,” said Floyd, an amphibious assault vehicle crewman with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division.Floyd’s

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Members of the Mongolian Armed Forces examine the fuselage of a Marine KC-130 J Monday at an Ulaanbaatar airfield during a tour of the aircraft hosted by Marines from VMGR-152, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The tour was an unofficial event conducted to further increase U.S. and Mongolian partnerships in conjunction with Khaan Quest 2009, a multi-national training exercise with the intention of promoting peace support core competencies. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel H. Woodall) - Members of the Mongolian Armed Forces examine the fuselage of a Marine KC-130 J Monday at an Ulaanbaatar airfield during a tour of the aircraft hosted by Marines from VMGR-152, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The tour was an unofficial event conducted to further increase U.S. and Mongolian partnerships in conjunction with Khaan Quest 2009, a multi-national training exercise with the intention of promoting peace support core competencies. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel H. Woodall)

Marine aircraft crew gives MAF tour of ‘Super Hercules’

Marines from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, gave a tour of their KC-130 J aircraft Tuesday for approximately 30 members of the Mongolian Armed Forces.The tour was an unofficial event conducted to further increase U.S. and Mongolian partnerships in conjunction with Khaan Quest

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Sergeant Maj. James Roberts, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, passes the battalion colors to inbound Col. Al Thoma at Bordelon Field Aug. 7. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis)(Released) - Sergeant Maj. James Roberts, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, passes the battalion colors to inbound Col. Al Thoma at Bordelon Field Aug. 7. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis)(Released)

MarForPac HQSVCBN commanding officer relinquishes command

Sergeant Maj. James Roberts, Jr., Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, passes the battalion colors to inbound Col. Al Thoma at Bordelon Field Aug. 7. The relatively short, yet concise, change of command might have left out long speeches, but the appreciation and heart-felt sentiment remained as Lt.Col. John Sharkeys

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Marines assist Toky-based Hakubi Kiyoto Kimono School officials Takayashi Mizushima and Takami Kondo, as they present wreaths honoring those laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Aug.3. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cristina Noelia Gil) (Released) - Marines assist Toky-based Hakubi Kiyoto Kimono School officials Takayashi Mizushima and Takami Kondo, as they present wreaths honoring those laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Aug.3. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cristina Noelia Gil) (Released)

Tokyo school honors American heroes at Punchbowl

More than 100 staff and students from the Hakubi Kiyoto Kimono Schools held a wreath laying ceremony in honor of American service members laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Aug. 3. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Tokyo-based school’s pilgrimage to the site which ancient Hawaiians called a hill of sacrifice

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Hawaii-based service members perform in a joint service color guard July 31 during the 56th Korean War Armistice Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Dozens of veterans, their friends and family attended the wreath laying ceremony in memory of those who fought, died and did not return. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Juan D. Alfonso)(released) - Hawaii-based service members perform in a joint service color guard July 31 during the 56th Korean War Armistice Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Dozens of veterans, their friends and family attended the wreath laying ceremony in memory of those who fought, died and did not return. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Juan D. Alfonso)(released)

Korean War veterans pay tribute to 56 year cease fire

It’s been more than 56 years since North and South Korea signed a cease fire, postponing hostilities. But for dozens of veterans, the fighting might as well have been yesterday. Korean War vets, their friends and family paid respect to the memory of their fallen brothers July 31 during a wreath laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of

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HONOLULU - Although "out of place" upon first glance, the seemingly realistic weed is part of the handcrafted minimalist exhibit by Japanese artist Yoshihiro Suda at The Contemporary Museum. The museum recently waived its just $8 admission fee for military and family members. The museum, although avant-garde by nature, is located on an overlooking peak of Diamond Head among equally flattering gardens, ideal for picnics and secluded escapes. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis)(Released) - HONOLULU - Although "out of place" upon first glance, the seemingly realistic weed is part of the handcrafted minimalist exhibit by Japanese artist Yoshihiro Suda at The Contemporary Museum. The museum recently waived its just $8 admission fee for military and family members. The museum, although avant-garde by nature, is located on an overlooking peak of Diamond Head among equally flattering gardens, ideal for picnics and secluded escapes. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis)(Released)

Free military admittance at ‘one-of-a-kind’ contemporary museum

The Contemporary Museum now offers free military-affiliated admittance at its summit location overlooking Honolulu.The free admittance, funded by BAE Systems and Boutiki, applies to all Department of Defense employees and family members. The museum initiated its military-friendly policy to help raise morale and expand service members’ list of

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HONOLULU - Japanese Emperor Akihito greets dignitaries at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, July 15. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Punchbowl Cemetery to lay a wreath and pause for moment of silence. The imperial couple's visit to the cemetery is the first since 1994. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis)(Released) - HONOLULU - Japanese Emperor Akihito greets dignitaries at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, July 15. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Punchbowl Cemetery to lay a wreath and pause for moment of silence. The imperial couple's visit to the cemetery is the first since 1994. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis)(Released)

Emperor, Empress of Japan visit National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific July 15 to pay tribute to fallen service members and place a wreath in memory of those killed during World War II.The imperial couple visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on their first full day in Oahu after arriving July 14.

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A Republic of Korea veteran arranges a wreath during the Korean War Memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific June 25. Hawaii lost more service members per capita in the Korean War than any other state. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis)(Released) - A Republic of Korea veteran arranges a wreath during the Korean War Memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific June 25. Hawaii lost more service members per capita in the Korean War than any other state. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis)(Released)

‘Forgotten war’ veterans, family remember Korea

More than a hundred veterans, family members, and friends attended the Korean War Memorial ceremony June 25 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.During the service, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann declared June 25 Korean War Remembrance Day, and reminded attendees Hawaii has never forgotten about the veterans’ sacrifices.“It’s more than

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