Pacific Marines Stories

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)

U.S. Marine leaders with 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, salute as the Marines of Fire Support Battalion, 11th Marines, pass in review during the battalion’s activation ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 19, 2024. The activation of the battalion, which is the first of its kind, is a major step in providing ground commanders with the fire support capabilities to plan, coordinate, and synchronize fires to accomplish missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adeola Adetimehin) - U.S. Marine leaders with 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, salute as the Marines of Fire Support Battalion, 11th Marines, pass in review during the battalion’s activation ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 19, 2024. The activation of the battalion, which is the first of its kind, is a major step in providing ground commanders with the fire support capabilities to plan, coordinate, and synchronize fires to accomplish missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adeola Adetimehin)

From left to right, Australian Army Maj. Jack Jones, the assistant logistics officer assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit; Maj. Rhys Davies, an AH-1Z Viper pilot assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th MEU; and Maj. George Lynn, the assistant operations officer assigned to the 15th MEU, pose for a photo aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) while underway in the Pacific Ocean Nov. 21, 2024. Jones, Davies, and Lynn served as foreign exchange officers with the 15th MEU through the Marine Corps Personnel Exchange Program, and recently completed a deployment with the 15th MEU to the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini) - From left to right, Australian Army Maj. Jack Jones, the assistant logistics officer assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit; Maj. Rhys Davies, an AH-1Z Viper pilot assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th MEU; and Maj. George Lynn, the assistant operations officer assigned to the 15th MEU, pose for a photo aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) while underway in the Pacific Ocean Nov. 21, 2024. Jones, Davies, and Lynn served as foreign exchange officers with the 15th MEU through the Marine Corps Personnel Exchange Program, and recently completed a deployment with the 15th MEU to the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini)

The DFT provided VMGR-153 pilots and aircrew with unit level training that enhanced squadron combat readiness while supporting community relations in remote Alaskan regions during the holiday season. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco) - A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J attached to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing flies during a deployment for training (DFT) while en-route to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 4, 2024.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Willow Roque, left, security non-commissioned officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Chantise Robinson, renders the first salute during a commissioning ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 6, 2024. After serving 16 years, the New Orleans, Louisiana native commissioning from an enlisted Marine to a Navy officer signifies a unique bridge between two branches, combining seasoned leadership experience with a new opportunity to serve and lead in a broader capacity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hailey Riddle-Chan) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Willow Roque, left, security non-commissioned officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Chantise Robinson, renders the first salute during a commissioning ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 6, 2024. After serving 16 years, the New Orleans, Louisiana native commissioning from an enlisted Marine to a Navy officer signifies a unique bridge between two branches, combining seasoned leadership experience with a new opportunity to serve and lead in a broader capacity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hailey Riddle-Chan)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jasmin Moghbeli, a New York native and NASA astronaut, grins after landing an AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Dec. 12, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jasmin Moghbeli, a New York native and NASA astronaut, grins after landing an AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Dec. 12, 2024. A former AH-1W Super Cobra pilot with HMLA-367 and Marine Corps test pilot, Moghbeli flew more than 150 combat missions before joining NASA’s Astronaut Corps. She commanded SpaceX Crew-7, spending 199 days in orbit and aboard the International Space Station contributing to experiments and technology demonstrations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine)