Pacific Marines Stories

A U.S. Marine Corps wideband satellite-expeditionary assigned to 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, operates atop a hill during Kaiju Rain 26 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 6, 2026. Kaiju Rain 26 is a III MIG-led exercise, focused on integrating multi-domain information capabilities, strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance, and supporting regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ramon Cardoza) - A U.S. Marine Corps wideband satellite-expeditionary assigned to 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, operates atop a hill during Kaiju Rain 26 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 6, 2026. Kaiju Rain 26 is a III MIG-led exercise, focused on integrating multi-domain information capabilities, strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance, and supporting regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ramon Cardoza)

7th Communication Battalion Marines sustain command and control during Kaiju Rain 26

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan—Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, established a communication node at Camp Shields after displacing from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma during Kaiju Rain 26, May 8, 2026.

Read More

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile System assigned to 1st Artillery Brigade, fires while positioned next to a Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System and Marine Air-Defense Integrated System, both with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, at a joint task force maritime strike event during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Paoay Sand Dunes, Philippines, May 6, 2026. - A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile System assigned to 1st Artillery Brigade, fires while positioned next to a Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System and Marine Air-Defense Integrated System, both with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, at a joint task force maritime strike event during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Paoay Sand Dunes, Philippines, May 6, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jonathan Beauchamp)

3rd MLR Serves as Mission Commander for Combined, Joint Maritime Strike

In a powerful demonstration of allied interoperability, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment served as the mission commander for a complex, live-fire maritime strike, as a culminating event during Exercise Balikatan 2026, integrating Philippine, U.S., and Japanese strike capabilities. The operation showcased the Hawaii-based regiment's ability to seamlessly connect a vast network of combined and joint partners, orchestrating precise, layered maritime firepower.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Trey Leonard, a rifleman assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, conducts a live-fire exercise during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Philippines Naval Detachment Oyster Bay, Palawan, Philippines, May 5, 2026. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Trey Leonard, a rifleman assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, conducts a live-fire exercise during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Philippines Naval Detachment Oyster Bay, Palawan, Philippines, May 5, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. Leonard is native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Caleb Goodwin)

Certified! MRF-D 26 is Darwin’s first-ever Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force

Under the Palawan sun, in the austerity and humidity of Balabac, Philippines, U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to I and III Marine Expeditionary Forces completed the final rigorous requirements for Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 26 to be certified as a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, May 3, 2026.

Read More

From left, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert Bunn, deputy commanding officer of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Brig. Gen. Omar Randall, commanding general of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Navy Command Master Chief Casey Wheeler, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Rene Camarillo, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 command element, pose for a photo with Marines and Sailors with the command element for the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 on Fort Bonifacio, Philippines, May 7, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo by 1st Lt. Chase Colin) - From left, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert Bunn, deputy commanding officer of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Brig. Gen. Omar Randall, commanding general of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Navy Command Master Chief Casey Wheeler, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Rene Camarillo, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 command element, pose for a photo with Marines and Sailors with the command element for the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 on Fort Bonifacio, Philippines, May 7, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo by 1st Lt. Chase Colin)

From crisis response to full-scale operations, MAGTF delivers during Balikatan 2026

Within hours of the start of Exercise Balikatan 2026, U.S. and Philippine forces shifted from training to real-world crisis response. On April 20 near Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan, Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. forces participating in Exercise Balikatan 2026 responded to a vehicular accident involving Filipino civilians, rapidly coordinating rescue and medical evacuation efforts in a complex environment.

Read More

From left, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert Bunn, deputy commanding officer of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Brig. Gen. Omar Randall, commanding general of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Navy Command Master Chief Casey Wheeler, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Rene Camarillo, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 command element, pose for a photo with Marines and Sailors with the command element for the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 on Fort Bonifacio, Philippines, May 7, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo by 1st Lt. Chase Colin) - From left, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert Bunn, deputy commanding officer of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Brig. Gen. Omar Randall, commanding general of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, Navy Command Master Chief Casey Wheeler, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Rene Camarillo, senior enlisted leader of the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 command element, pose for a photo with Marines and Sailors with the command element for the MAGTF for Exercise Balikatan 2026 on Fort Bonifacio, Philippines, May 7, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo by 1st Lt. Chase Colin)

From crisis response to full-scale operations, MAGTF delivers during Balikatan 2026

Within hours of the start of Exercise Balikatan 2026, U.S. and Philippine forces shifted from training to real-world crisis response. On April 20 near Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan, Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. forces participating in Exercise Balikatan 2026 responded to a vehicular accident involving Filipino civilians, rapidly coordinating rescue and medical evacuation efforts in a complex environment.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bowen Miles, a field artillery cannoneer, with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, operates a Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Cagayan North International Airport, Philippines, April 21, 2026. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bowen Miles, a field artillery cannoneer, with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, operates a Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Cagayan North International Airport, Philippines, April 21, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. Miles is a native of Utah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ernesto Lagunes)

3rd MLR Joins Most Expansive Exercise Balikatan To Date

3rd Marine Littoral Regiment is contributing more than 1,300 Hawaii-based Marines and Sailors for the 41st iteration of Exercise Balikatan, an expansive multilateral exercise conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military across the Philippine archipelago from April 20 to May 8.

Read More

III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group to conduct Exercise Kaiju Rain 26

III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (MIG) will conduct Exercise Kaiju Rain 26 in Japan from May 1 to May 31, 2026. Kaiju Rain is an annual exercise focused on improving how Marines communicate, share information, and make decisions in support of operations across the Indo-Pacific region.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bowen Miles, a field artillery cannoneer, with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, operates a Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Cagayan North International Airport, Philippines, April 21, 2026. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Bowen Miles, a field artillery cannoneer, with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, operates a Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Cagayan North International Airport, Philippines, April 21, 2026. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. Miles is a native of Utah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ernesto Lagunes)

3rd MLR Joins Most Expansive Exercise Balikatan To Date

3rd Marine Littoral Regiment is contributing more than 1,300 Hawaii-based Marines and Sailors for the 41st iteration of Exercise Balikatan, an expansive multilateral exercise conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military across the Philippine archipelago from April 20 to May 8.

Read More

U.S. Marines assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force and Philippine contractors onload a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement onto a Philippine barge in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, March 17, 2026. - U.S. Marines assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force and Philippine contractors onload a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement onto a Philippine barge in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, March 17, 2026. The prepositioning of equipment in support of Exercise Balikatan 26 demonstrates how Maritime Prepositioning Force processes operationalize distributed sustainment by conducting offload, distribution, and regeneration of equipment through afloat platforms, ashore nodes, and transportation networks to distribute equipment across multiple locations. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen our ironclad alliance, improve our capable combined force, and demonstrate our commitment to regional security and stability.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Madison M. Luciano)

Balikatan 26: U.S. Marines, Sailors Conduct Distributed Maritime Logistics in the Philippines

Logistics is the pacing function of expeditionary operations. Before a rifleman can eliminate a target, an infantry company can secure an objective, or the Marine Corps can train shoulder-to-shoulder with allies and partners, sustainment and equipment must be readily available at the right place and right time.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Paul Cordes, commanding officer of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, awards Sgt. Garrett Sloan, a loadmaster with VMGR-153, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 5, 2026. Sloan received the award after rescuing two local children who were swept out to sea by a rip current while swimming at Makapu’u beach. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chandler Evans) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Paul Cordes, commanding officer of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, awards Sgt. Garrett Sloan, a loadmaster with VMGR-153, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 5, 2026. Sloan received the award after rescuing two local children who were swept out to sea by a rip current while swimming at Makapu’u beach. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chandler Evans)

U.S. Marine Corps Loadmaster Awarded Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for Heroic Off-Duty Rescue

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Garrett A. Sloan, a KC-130J fixed-wing aircraft loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in recognition of his heroic actions and courage in a life-threatening situation while outside of duty.

Read More