Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Sprouse, left, a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, introduces himself to Philippine Navy Seaman Apprentices Raymond Baclason, center, and Arturo Arandela, both Seabees with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 2nd Naval Mobile Construction Battalion, at the site of a new classroom they are helping build at San Rafael Elementary School in San Rafael, on the island of Palawan, Philippines, April 16. The three are part of a larger group of service members from the AFP and U.S. militaries, constructing five new buildings across the island of Palawan as part of humanitarian civic assistance projects taking place during exercise Balikatan 2015. Balikatan, a Filipino word meaning "shoulder-to-shoulder," is an annual bilateral exercise with the AFP and U.S. militaries, which helps increase combined military-to-military training and build relationships in order to support future engagements. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Cristina Porras) - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Sprouse, left, a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, introduces himself to Philippine Navy Seaman Apprentices Raymond Baclason, center, and Arturo Arandela, both Seabees with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 2nd Naval Mobile Construction Battalion, at the site of a new classroom they are helping build at San Rafael Elementary School in San Rafael, on the island of Palawan, Philippines, April 16. The three are part of a larger group of service members from the AFP and U.S. militaries, constructing five new buildings across the island of Palawan as part of humanitarian civic assistance projects taking place during exercise Balikatan 2015. Balikatan, a Filipino word meaning "shoulder-to-shoulder," is an annual bilateral exercise with the AFP and U.S. militaries, which helps increase combined military-to-military training and build relationships in order to support future engagements. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Cristina Porras)

Lance Corporal John Porter has his gear inspected upon arrival April 14 to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Darwin, Australia, to begin Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2015. Approximately 20 percent of Marines’ gear was inspected by the biosecurity officers with the Australian Department of Agriculture for any foreign soil, plants or seeds. MRF-D is the deployment of U.S. Marines to Darwin and the Northern Territory, for approximately six months at a time, where they will conduct exercises and training on a rotational basis with the Australian Defence Force. Porter, a Chicago, Illinois, native, is a rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin. - Lance Corporal John Porter has his gear inspected upon arrival April 14 to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Darwin, Australia, to begin Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2015. Approximately 20 percent of Marines’ gear was inspected by the biosecurity officers with the Australian Department of Agriculture for any foreign soil, plants or seeds. MRF-D is the deployment of U.S. Marines to Darwin and the Northern Territory, for approximately six months at a time, where they will conduct exercises and training on a rotational basis with the Australian Defence Force. Porter, a Chicago, Illinois, native, is a rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin.

Staff Sgt. Jordan Kelly, a fire power control team chief with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, points out a target on a video scout during close air support training in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, April 13, 2015. The video from the F/A-18 Hornet’s sensors allows the Marines to confirm enemy target locations with the pilot. - Staff Sgt. Jordan Kelly, a fire power control team chief with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, points out a target on a video scout during close air support training in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, April 13, 2015. The video from the F/A-18 Hornet’s sensors allows the Marines to confirm enemy target locations with the pilot.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Army Soldiers and civilians from the Capiz Emergency Response Team attend to a casualty at a simulated mass casualty exercise in Jamindan, Philippines, during Balikatan 2015, April 9. The exercise was part of a cooperative health engagement, train-the-trainer first responder course at the headquarters of the AFP’s 3rd Infantry Division. Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder” in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. - Armed Forces of the Philippines Army Soldiers and civilians from the Capiz Emergency Response Team attend to a casualty at a simulated mass casualty exercise in Jamindan, Philippines, during Balikatan 2015, April 9. The exercise was part of a cooperative health engagement, train-the-trainer first responder course at the headquarters of the AFP’s 3rd Infantry Division. Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder” in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Lance Cpl. Ivan Trujillo, a scout with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, hikes up Ulupau Crater aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 8, 2015, before conducting high angle firing with his platoon. The Marines trained with high angle shooting, which is anything 30 degrees or greater between them and their target. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Dietz) - Lance Cpl. Ivan Trujillo, a scout with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, hikes up Ulupau Crater aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 8, 2015, before conducting high angle firing with his platoon. The Marines trained with high angle shooting, which is anything 30 degrees or greater between them and their target. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Dietz)

U.S. Marines and airmen perform a site assessment at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea March 19. Site assessment was one of the response scenarios during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear joint training exercise with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 CBRN and 51st Civil Engineer Squadron CBRN. The week-long bilateral training event enabled Marines and airmen to learn different tactics, techniques and procedures. - U.S. Marines and airmen perform a site assessment at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea March 19. Site assessment was one of the response scenarios during a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear joint training exercise with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 CBRN and 51st Civil Engineer Squadron CBRN. The week-long bilateral training event enabled Marines and airmen to learn different tactics, techniques and procedures.

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green speaks to Marines March 26 during a visit to Okinawa. The commandant, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, and the sergeant major traveled to the Marine bases on Okinawa from March 24-26 to talk with Marines about their expectations for the Marines and the Corps. “My priorities are to make sure we have the warfighting capabilities we need, to address the maturity of our leaders and to make sure they have the training, education and the experience that they need to be successful on the battlefield,” said Dunford. - Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green speaks to Marines March 26 during a visit to Okinawa. The commandant, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, and the sergeant major traveled to the Marine bases on Okinawa from March 24-26 to talk with Marines about their expectations for the Marines and the Corps. “My priorities are to make sure we have the warfighting capabilities we need, to address the maturity of our leaders and to make sure they have the training, education and the experience that they need to be successful on the battlefield,” said Dunford.

Two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters sit in pieces in Hangar 101 March 17, 2015, while they are cleaned for an upcoming inspection later this month. Marines attached to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 prepared five aircraft to send to Marine Rotational Force Darwin, Australia later this year. It takes 1,500 man-hours per aircraft to make the aircraft inspection-ready. - Two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters sit in pieces in Hangar 101 March 17, 2015, while they are cleaned for an upcoming inspection later this month. Marines attached to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 prepared five aircraft to send to Marine Rotational Force Darwin, Australia later this year. It takes 1,500 man-hours per aircraft to make the aircraft inspection-ready.

Sgt. Michael Joseph, right, avionics technician with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, receives the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Heart Saver Hero Award from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, at an award ceremony March 13, 2015, at the Naval Health Clinic Hawaii aboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. The American Heart Association recognized Joseph for saving a fellow Marine suffering from a heart attack. Joseph performed CPR before paramedics came to the Marine's aid. Because of Joseph’s actions, the Marine is expected to make a full recovery. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Dietz) - Sgt. Michael Joseph, right, avionics technician with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, receives the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Heart Saver Hero Award from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, at an award ceremony March 13, 2015, at the Naval Health Clinic Hawaii aboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. The American Heart Association recognized Joseph for saving a fellow Marine suffering from a heart attack. Joseph performed CPR before paramedics came to the Marine's aid. Because of Joseph’s actions, the Marine is expected to make a full recovery. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Dietz)

Lance Cpl. Isidro Johnsonsmith poses for a photo before being sprayed with oleoresin capsicum, left, and attempts to pose after, right, March 6 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. He and other Marines temporarily assigned to the security augment force for Marine Corps Installations Pacific- Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan, were introduced to the visceral sensation of the irritant to understand its effects and how to operate if they were exposed while spraying an assailant. Johnsonsmith is a San Francisco, Calif., native and an aircraft mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Isidro Johnsonsmith poses for a photo before being sprayed with oleoresin capsicum, left, and attempts to pose after, right, March 6 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. He and other Marines temporarily assigned to the security augment force for Marine Corps Installations Pacific- Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan, were introduced to the visceral sensation of the irritant to understand its effects and how to operate if they were exposed while spraying an assailant. Johnsonsmith is a San Francisco, Calif., native and an aircraft mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.