Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tristan Walker, a helicopter crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, sights in on an M2 machine gun during a simulated close air support (SIMCAS) exercise during Korean Marine Exchange Program 25.1, in South Korea, March 11, 2025. SIMCAS are training exercises to provide ground combat with aerial support. KMEP is a semi-annual exercise that provides iterative opportunities for Republic of Korea Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps units to train together, improving their combined capabilities to deter threats and maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Yanisa Culp) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tristan Walker, a helicopter crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, sights in on an M2 machine gun during a simulated close air support (SIMCAS) exercise during Korean Marine Exchange Program 25.1, in South Korea, March 11, 2025. SIMCAS are training exercises to provide ground combat with aerial support. KMEP is a semi-annual exercise that provides iterative opportunities for Republic of Korea Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps units to train together, improving their combined capabilities to deter threats and maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Yanisa Culp)

U.S. and ROK Marines Conclude Freedom Shield 25

III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) and 1st Marine Division successfully completed a significant training milestone alongside their Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps counterparts as exercise Freedom Shield (FS) 25 concludes. While this phase of training ends, the Korean Marine Exercise Program (KMEP) continues throughout the year.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Louis Collins, left, a company commander with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Singapore Guardsman Lt. Col. Mohamad Fahrul Bin Saaid, the commanding officer for 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards, pose for a photo during the opening ceremony for Valiant Mark 25 on Bedok Camp, Singapore, March 17, 2025. Valiant Mark is an annual, bilateral training exercise designed to enhance interoperability, build mutual defense capabilities, and strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps and Singapore Armed Forces. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Louis Collins, left, a company commander with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Singapore Guardsman Lt. Col. Mohamad Fahrul Bin Saaid, the commanding officer for 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards, pose for a photo during the opening ceremony for Valiant Mark 25 on Bedok Camp, Singapore, March 17, 2025. Valiant Mark is an annual, bilateral training exercise designed to enhance interoperability, build mutual defense capabilities, and strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps and Singapore Armed Forces. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

U.S. Marines and Singapore Guards Begin the 27th Iteration of Exercise Valiant Mark in Singapore

SINGAPORE – U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) began Exercise Valiant Mark 2025, alongside the 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards (3 GDS) and 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (7 SIB), in a ceremony held on Monday, March 17, aboard Bedok Camp, Singapore. This year’s exercise marks the 27th iteration of Valiant Mark, since its inception in 1991. The ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant General Michael S. Cederholm, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Colonel Wong Pui Chuan, Chief Guards Officer (CGO), commanding officer, 21st Singapore Division. Valiant Mark 25 training will continue through March 26.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Thomas B. Savage, left, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, gifts a 1st MARDIV coin and patch to Republic of Korea Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Lee Ho Jong, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, ROK Marine Corps, during a meeting in Pohang, South Korea, March 7, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Thomas B. Savage, left, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, gifts a 1st MARDIV coin and patch to Republic of Korea Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Lee Ho Jong, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, ROK Marine Corps, during a meeting in Pohang, South Korea, March 7, 2025. Freedom Shield is an exercise that provides iterative opportunities for Republic of Korea Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps units to train together, improving their combined capabilities to deter threats and maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula. (Courtesy photo from Republic of Korea Marine Corps)

1st Marine Division deploys to South Korea for Freedom Shield 25

U.S. Marines and Sailors from 1st Marine Division, based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, deployed to the Republic of Korea on March 2 to participate in Exercise Freedom Shield 25.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jason C. Armas, center, the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, and Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Escobar, right, the sergeant major of MRF – D 25.3, pose for a photo with Group Captain Melissa Neilson, the commander of Northern Command, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, March 17, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jason C. Armas, center, the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, and Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Escobar, right, the sergeant major of MRF – D 25.3, pose for a photo with Group Captain Melissa Neilson, the commander of Northern Command, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, March 17, 2025. MRF-D 25.3 is part of an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward-postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa)

U.S. Marines, Sailors with MRF-D 25.3 arrive to Northern Territory

U.S. Marines and Sailors have arrived in the Northern Territory to kick off the 14th annual rotation of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Read More

U.S. Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, pose for a photo while disposing of mortar increments during the Marine final exercise at Ban Chan Khrem, Chanthaburi, Thailand, March 6, 2025, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2025. Cobra Gold is the largest joint and combined exercise in mainland Asia, held annually in Thailand, showcasing the U.S. commitment to the region by building interoperability, multilateral cooperative arrangements, and advancing common interests through a commitment to allies and partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - U.S. Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, pose for a photo while disposing of mortar increments during the Marine final exercise at Ban Chan Khrem, Chanthaburi, Thailand, March 6, 2025, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2025. Cobra Gold is the largest joint and combined exercise in mainland Asia, held annually in Thailand, showcasing the U.S. commitment to the region by building interoperability, multilateral cooperative arrangements, and advancing common interests through a commitment to allies and partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

MRF-SEA Marines Play Key Role in Exercise Cobra Gold 2025 in Thailand

The U.S. Marine Corps' newest rotational force, Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA), played a key role during Exercise Cobra Gold 2025, which took place in Thailand from Feb. 25 to March 7

Read More

U.S. Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, alongside service members with the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, and Republic of Korea Marines, participate in a cyber exercise during Exercise Cobra Gold 2025, March 4, 2025. - U.S. Marines with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, alongside service members with the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, and Republic of Korea Marines, participate in a cyber exercise during Exercise Cobra Gold 2025, March 4, 2025. The exercise focused on building and improving basic defensive cyber capabilities critical for enabling integrated deterrence against threat cyber operations. Cobra Gold is the largest joint and combined exercise in mainland Asia, held annually in Thailand, showcasing the U.S. commitment to the region by building interoperability, multilateral cooperative arrangements, and advancing common interests through our commitment to allies and partners in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (Courtesy Asset)

Cobra Gold CYBEREX: U.S. Marines, Joint Force, Allies Integrate Cyber and Conventional Warfare Training

U.S. Marine Corps cyberspace operations personnel with 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, recently participated in the Exercise Cobra Gold 2025 cyber exercise, a multinational collective training event that brought together over 150 personnel from eight allied and partner nations, including Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia. The CYBEREX, which took place from Feb. 23 to March 7, aimed to improve defensive capabilities and promote interoperability in a realistic and challenging training environment, conduct intelligence fusion, and exercise the standing operating procedures of multinational forces.

Read More

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Enhances Combat Readiness with Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training 25.2 Aboard USS Somerset

The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) successfully completed Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training 25.2 on Camp Pendleton, California and in its coastal waters, March 14, 2025. Multiple units from I Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. 3rd Fleet integrated to enhance their amphibious warfare skills, enabling the Navy and Marine Corps to prepare for seamless operations in contested and permissive environments during the second iteration of QUART on the West Coast.

Read More

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, communicate with their squad during a simulated boat raid on Recon Beach, Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 17, 2025. This training was conducted in order for the Marines to increase their profiency conducting boat raids with the newly fielded enhanced combat rubber reconnaissance craft. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, 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. Angel Diaz Montes De Oca) - U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, communicate with their squad during a simulated boat raid on Recon Beach, Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 17, 2025. This training was conducted in order for the Marines to increase their profiency conducting boat raids with the newly fielded enhanced combat rubber reconnaissance craft. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, 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. Angel Diaz Montes De Oca)

Ready at Midnight: 500 Marines and Sailors Deploy Aboard USS San Diego (LPD-22) for the 31st MEU’s First Patrol of 2025

As midnight approaches through the warship’s red-lit passageways and inside every busy berthing, the familiar anthem “We Ready” by Archie Evermore blares over the ship’s public address system or 1 Main Circuit (1MC). Capt. Tim Carter, commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock ship, USS San Diego (LPD-22), arrests the speaker system right on cue for his address. Meanwhile, choppy seas gift some sailors and Marines with glazed eyes, upset stomachs, and pounding headaches. Thankfully, the sea sickness is only temporary. Carter zealously declares to those onboard that the ship, its crew, and its embarked Marine Corps landing force is indeed ready for whatever may come as they transit the Indo-Pacific.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Riley Wharton, a logistics specialist with Combat Logistic Company Bravo, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, center, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, prepare to attach a sling during an external lift exercise in support of Iron Fist 25, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 22, 2025. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. Wharton is a native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Riley Wharton, a logistics specialist with Combat Logistic Company Bravo, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, center, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members with 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, prepare to attach a sling during an external lift exercise in support of Iron Fist 25, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 22, 2025. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. Wharton is a native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla)

Iron Fist 25 | U.S. Marines lift a JGSDF Tactical Vehicle

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa – U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct helicopter support team operations with members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) during Iron Fist (IF) 25, at Kin Blue Beach Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, from Feb. 22-23. External lifts enable troops to receive a resupply when provisions are running low. Helicopter support team operations provide food, water, ammunition, and even insert tactical vehicles to locations where the terrain would normally impede the acquirement of these resources.

Read More

U.S. Marines with 3rd Radio Battalion, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct maritime sensing during a sensor expeditionary advanced base exercise at Kin Blue, Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 1-6, 2025. The exercise reinforced Marines’ abilities to gather maritime and airspace intelligence by employing radar and relaying the information back to commanders. The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), compromising amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), are underway conducting routine integrated operations in U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward- deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operated with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl. Victor Gurrola) - U.S. Marines with 3rd Radio Battalion, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct maritime sensing during a sensor expeditionary advanced base exercise at Kin Blue, Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 1-6, 2025. The exercise reinforced Marines’ abilities to gather maritime and airspace intelligence by employing radar and relaying the information back to commanders. The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), compromising amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), are underway conducting routine integrated operations in U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward- deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operated with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl. Victor Gurrola)

31st MEU | Marines Innovate Maritime Sensor Capabilities During SEAB Exercise

During the five-day training exercise, Marines operated a SEAB and conducted maritime operations from the island of Ukibaru, Okinawa. A SEAB is comprised of an active radar site and a passive sensor site. The passive site employs communication surveillance to detect and track potential adversary forces by analyzing electromagnetic frequencies and signal activity.

Read More