Pacific Marines Stories

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)

240804-M-AO923-1476 - From left to right: U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Joy Kitashima, sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, commanding general of III MEF, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Masayoshi Arai, commanding general of the Western Army, and Warrant Officer Hiroki Kiyama, command sergeant major of WA, right, pose for a photograph at a press conference during exercise Resolute Dragon 24 at JGSDF Camp Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan, August 4, 2024. RD 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Morelli, left, the communications maintenance chief assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Sgt. Albert Morelli, an assistant patrol leader assigned to Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th MEU, pose for a photo in the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean Aug. 4, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Morelli, left, the communications maintenance chief assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Sgt. Albert Morelli, an assistant patrol leader assigned to Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th MEU, pose for a photo in the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean Aug. 4, 2024. Gunnery Sgt. Morelli and Sgt. Morelli, identical twins from Cheyenne, Wyoming, enlisted together in the Marine Corps in 2009 and are both underway aboard Boxer supporting the 15th MEU’s routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini)

Archbishop Christopher Cardone gives the opening prayer during the 82nd Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal Ceremony at the Guadalcanal American Memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Aug. 7, 2024. The ceremony commemorated the 82nd anniversary of the battle, and served to honor the fallen and strengthen the U.S. relationship with the Solomon Islands and other Pacific allies and partners. The historic battle was codenamed Operation Watchtower and was the first major offensive and decisive victory for the allied forces in the Pacific theater. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kassie McDole) - Archbishop Christopher Cardone gives the opening prayer during the 82nd Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal Ceremony at the Guadalcanal American Memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Aug. 7, 2024. The ceremony commemorated the 82nd anniversary of the battle, and served to honor the fallen and strengthen the U.S. relationship with the Solomon Islands and other Pacific allies and partners. The historic battle was codenamed Operation Watchtower and was the first major offensive and decisive victory for the allied forces in the Pacific theater. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kassie McDole)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Geoffrey Blumenfled, the commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, left, poses for a group photo after Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary demonstrated a fast-rope insertion to partner forces at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Waimanalo, Hawaii, as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2024, July 2. Lt. Col. Blumenfled piloted the MV-22B Osprey while 15th MEU Marines demonstrated to partner forces the ability to conduct fast-rope insertions in austere locations. 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) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Geoffrey Blumenfled, the commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, left, poses for a group photo after Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary demonstrated a fast-rope insertion to partner forces at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Waimanalo, Hawaii, as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2024, July 2. Lt. Col. Blumenfled piloted the MV-22B Osprey while 15th MEU Marines demonstrated to partner forces the ability to conduct fast-rope insertions in austere locations. 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)