Pacific Marines Stories

A Philippine Marine with 4th Marine Brigade conducts a humanitarian aid and disaster relief demonstration during KAMANDAG 8 at Camp Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Philippines, Oct. 20, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - A Philippine Marine with 4th Marine Brigade conducts a humanitarian aid and disaster relief demonstration during KAMANDAG 8 at Camp Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Philippines, Oct. 20, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and soldiers with the Singapore Army pose for a group photo during the MARFORPAC - Singapore Army Staff Talks at the Ministry of Defense, Singapore, Oct. 8, 2024. The four-day talks established a forum to improve coordination of bilateral exercises and operations while discussing areas of interest throughout the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roger-Junior Annoh) - U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and soldiers with the Singapore Army pose for a group photo during the MARFORPAC - Singapore Army Staff Talks at the Ministry of Defense, Singapore, Oct. 8, 2024. The four-day talks established a forum to improve coordination of bilateral exercises and operations while discussing areas of interest throughout the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roger-Junior Annoh)

Distinguished guests render honors during the presentation of colors at a Marine Corps birthday ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 31, 2024. DPAA Marines were joined by Marine Corps Forces, Pacific senior leaders and DPAA senior leadership to celebrate the 249th Marine Corps birthday, highlighting the overlap of commitment, pride, and professionalism these two organizations share. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting of U.S. personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lesley Cisneros) - Distinguished guests render honors during the presentation of colors at a Marine Corps birthday ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 31, 2024. DPAA Marines were joined by Marine Corps Forces, Pacific senior leaders and DPAA senior leadership to celebrate the 249th Marine Corps birthday, highlighting the overlap of commitment, pride, and professionalism these two organizations share. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting of U.S. personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lesley Cisneros)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Rigby, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, looks out the back of an MV-22B Osprey during the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. MRF-D’s participation in the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast demonstrates the United States Marine Corps’ commitment to international partnerships and highlights the close military ties between the United States and Australia, fostering interoperability and cooperation between their armed forces. Rigby is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Rigby, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, looks out the back of an MV-22B Osprey during the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. MRF-D’s participation in the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast demonstrates the United States Marine Corps’ commitment to international partnerships and highlights the close military ties between the United States and Australia, fostering interoperability and cooperation between their armed forces. Rigby is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton)

A U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, transporting Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st MARDIV, maneuvers through the water as part of Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 28, 2024. QUART is a joint training exercise designed to develop and sustain essential amphibious skills for effective operations in maritime environments while reinforcing the Navy-Marine Corps partnership. As part of QUART, Marines with 3rd AA Bn. were certified to conduct ship-to-shore operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan) - A U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, transporting Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st MARDIV, maneuvers through the water as part of Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 28, 2024. QUART is a joint training exercise designed to develop and sustain essential amphibious skills for effective operations in maritime environments while reinforcing the Navy-Marine Corps partnership. As part of QUART, Marines with 3rd AA Bn. were certified to conduct ship-to-shore operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)

Japan Ground Self Defense Force Gen. Morishita Yasunori, left, chief of staff, Ground Staff Office, JGSDF, and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James F. Glynn, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, exchange gifts during a key leader engagement on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Nov. 5, 2024. Senior MARFORPAC leaders regularly host distinguished visitors from all over the world to discuss mutual interests, foster collaboration, and share experiences among Allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter) - Japan Ground Self Defense Force Gen. Morishita Yasunori, left, chief of staff, Ground Staff Office, JGSDF, and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James F. Glynn, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, exchange gifts during a key leader engagement on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Nov. 5, 2024. Senior MARFORPAC leaders regularly host distinguished visitors from all over the world to discuss mutual interests, foster collaboration, and share experiences among Allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, and Indonesian marines 4th Marine Infantry Battalion, Pasmar 1, conduct live-fire table five combat marksmanship program training during Keris Marine Exercise 2023 at Piabung Training Area in Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia, Dec. 7, 2023. Keris MAREX is a bilateral exercise led by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Indonesian Marine Corps, or Korps Marinir, to promote military interoperability and maritime domain awareness capabilities, strengthen relationships, and expand military capabilities among participating forces in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a Marine Corps Forces Pacific operational model that involves exchanges with subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allies and Partners, and positions I MEF forces west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, and Indonesian marines 4th Marine Infantry Battalion, Pasmar 1, conduct live-fire table five combat marksmanship program training during Keris Marine Exercise 2023 at Piabung Training Area in Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia, Dec. 7, 2023. Keris MAREX is a bilateral exercise led by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Indonesian Marine Corps, or Korps Marinir, to promote military interoperability and maritime domain awareness capabilities, strengthen relationships, and expand military capabilities among participating forces in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. MRF-SEA is a Marine Corps Forces Pacific operational model that involves exchanges with subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allies and Partners, and positions I MEF forces west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

U.S. service members and distinguished guests bow their head during the invocation on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 31, 2024. DPAA Marines were joined by Marine Corps Forces, Pacific senior leaders and DPAA senior leadership to celebrate the 249th Marine Corps birthday, highlighting the overlap of commitment, pride, and professionalism these two organizations share. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting of U.S. personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lesley Cisneros) - U.S. service members and distinguished guests bow their head during the invocation on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 31, 2024. DPAA Marines were joined by Marine Corps Forces, Pacific senior leaders and DPAA senior leadership to celebrate the 249th Marine Corps birthday, highlighting the overlap of commitment, pride, and professionalism these two organizations share. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting of U.S. personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lesley Cisneros)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mark Schaefer, left, commanding officer, congratulates Cpl. Sean Olson, administrative specialist, both with Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, after his meritorious promotion and award ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 13, 2024. Olson, a California native, received a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for rescuing two people who were struggling to stay afloat in rough waters. He also earned a meritorious promotion, ahead of normal service requirements, signifying his outstanding performance as a Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chloe Zimmerer) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mark Schaefer, left, commanding officer, congratulates Cpl. Sean Olson, administrative specialist, both with Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, after his meritorious promotion and award ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 13, 2024. Olson, a California native, received a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for rescuing two people who were struggling to stay afloat in rough waters. He also earned a meritorious promotion, ahead of normal service requirements, signifying his outstanding performance as a Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chloe Zimmerer)