Pacific Marines Stories

The purpose of these operations are to ensure that all necessary gear and personnel are embarked on ship prior to each patrol. The 31st MEU, 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews) - U.S. Marines with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to transport High Mobility Artillery Rocket System ammunition from an U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) during onload operations at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 17, 2025.

An F-35C Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, during a Large Force Exercise conducted by MAG-11 and MAG-13 on Jan. 15, 2025. - An F-35C Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, during a Large Force Exercise conducted by MAG-11 and MAG-13 on Jan. 15, 2025. LFE is a high-fidelity combat training event over the Southern California coast, incorporating defensive counter-air and air interdiction missions. The exercise provides pilots with invaluable experience in mission planning and execution, including opportunities to serve as division leads or mission commanders. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Johnson Truong)

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 Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, communicates with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Masayoshi Arai, commanding general of the Western Army, 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)

3d LAAB's Inaugural MADIS Live-Fire - A Marine Air Defense Integrated System Mk 1 fires upon a small unmanned aircraft system during a training exercise at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, Jan. 25, 2025. A key component of the Marine Corps’ Force Design initiative, the mobile MADIS increases 3d Marine Littoral Regiment’s tactical flexibility by extending the range of the airspace which 3d MLR is able to sense and defend without support from the Joint Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons)

An AH-1Z Viper aircraft assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 (HMLA-775) maneuvers while providing close-air support at the San Clemente Island Range Complex, March 8, 2023. - An AH-1Z Viper aircraft assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 (HMLA-775) maneuvers while providing close-air support at the San Clemente Island Range Complex, March 8, 2023. HMLA-775 flew sorties from MCAS Camp Pendleton to the San Clemente Island Range Complex in support of the Marine Forces Reserve Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) exercise held from February 26 to March 11. The exercise implemented concepts of Force Design 2030, a call to modernize the Marine Corps’ warfighting doctrine, via expeditionary advanced based operations such as a limited-footprint forward arming and refueling point and hot ordnance loading evolutions to reduce downtime between sorties and build joint fires proficiency.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mark F. Schaefer, left, commanding officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Royal Thai Marine Corps Rear Adm. Nirat Tagoodruar, deputy commanding officer, pose for a photo following an in-brief during the USMC-RTMC Future Engagement Planning Conference in Sattahip, Thailand, Dec. 11, 2024. These discussions strengthen the enduring partnership between the two forces by fostering military-to-military collaboration, enhancing combined readiness, and supporting a shared commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Conor Ragland) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mark F. Schaefer, left, commanding officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Royal Thai Marine Corps Rear Adm. Nirat Tagoodruar, deputy commanding officer, pose for a photo following an in-brief during the USMC-RTMC Future Engagement Planning Conference in Sattahip, Thailand, Dec. 11, 2024. These discussions strengthen the enduring partnership between the two forces by fostering military-to-military collaboration, enhancing combined readiness, and supporting a shared commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Conor Ragland)

This was the first open-water amphibious movement for ACVs deployed to III Marine Expeditionary Force, accomplishing a new milestone for amphibious operations with the vehicle platform in the Indo-Pacific. Amphibious operations, including the use of ship-to-shore connectors, is a foundational aspect of Marine Corps operations and is critical to remaining the Nation’s premier expeditionary force in readiness. The Marines shown are with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kendrick Jackson) - U.S. Marines prepare Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) for amphibious operations at Kushi Crossing, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 10, 2024.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Leah Deignan, left, an aviation maintenance officer with Aviation Logistics Division, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Maj. Connor Deignan, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd MAW, pose for a photo with their children after a ceremony promoting the two to the rank of major at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 6, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Leah Deignan, left, an aviation maintenance officer with Aviation Logistics Division, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Maj. Connor Deignan, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd MAW, pose for a photo with their children after a ceremony promoting the two to the rank of major at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 6, 2025. The Deignans are married to each other and celebrated their concurrent promotions alongside fellow Marines, family, and friends (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistic Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, ground guide Joint Light Tactical Vehicles up a hill on Red Beach as part of Steel Knight 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 7, 2024. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that takes place in multiple locations across the Southwest that allows I Marine Expeditionary Force to train as a full Marine Air-Ground Task Force and better integrate with joint and naval forces. The exercise also certifies 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and CLB-1 to be forward-postured in Australia as part of Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, a six-month deployment during which Marines train with Australian allies and facilitate rapid response to crises and contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Keegan Jones) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistic Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, ground guide Joint Light Tactical Vehicles up a hill on Red Beach as part of Steel Knight 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 7, 2024. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that takes place in multiple locations across the Southwest that allows I Marine Expeditionary Force to train as a full Marine Air-Ground Task Force and better integrate with joint and naval forces. The exercise also certifies 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and CLB-1 to be forward-postured in Australia as part of Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, a six-month deployment during which Marines train with Australian allies and facilitate rapid response to crises and contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Keegan Jones)