Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marine Capt. Albert Bellamy and Republic of Korea Army Col. Seoko Yoon listen to a brief during Khaan Quest's command post exercise, Aug. 12. Khaan Quest, a multinational peacekeeping exercise hosted annually by the Mongolian Armed Forces and co-sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and U.S. Army Pacific, is the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security. MARFORPAC is the U.S. executive for this year’s exercise, which has been taking place since 2003. Khaan Quest 2013 officially ended Aug. 14. Bellamy, serving as a battalion operations officer for 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment during the CPX, is from Wadsworth, Ohio. Yoon served as the civil-military affairs officer for the multinational brigade's headquarters. - U.S. Marine Capt. Albert Bellamy and Republic of Korea Army Col. Seoko Yoon listen to a brief during Khaan Quest's command post exercise, Aug. 12. Khaan Quest, a multinational peacekeeping exercise hosted annually by the Mongolian Armed Forces and co-sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and U.S. Army Pacific, is the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security. MARFORPAC is the U.S. executive for this year’s exercise, which has been taking place since 2003. Khaan Quest 2013 officially ended Aug. 14. Bellamy, serving as a battalion operations officer for 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment during the CPX, is from Wadsworth, Ohio. Yoon served as the civil-military affairs officer for the multinational brigade's headquarters.

1st Lt. Ryan Trunk and Gunnery Sgt. Alexander Orellana render a salute alongside Lt. Col. D. Javklanbayar, senior staff officer for the Peace Support Operations Department, General Staff, Mongolian Armed Forces, during the opening ceremony for the Non-Lethal Weapons Executive Seminar (NOLES) 2013 at Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia, Aug. 17. NOLES is a regularly scheduled field training exercise and leadership seminar sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, and hosted annually by various nations throughout Asia-Pacific. In its 12th iteration, this multinational training event is designed to promote awareness and effective use of non-lethal weapons as a tool to maintain order in low-intensity conflict situations or during incidents of civil unrest. Mongolia, a regular participant, is hosting NOLES for the third time. Trunk, training officer with Law Enforcement Battalion, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group and officer-in-charge of the Marine detachment during the exercise is from Brookline, Mass. Orellana, company gunnery sergeant with Company B, LE Battalion, is from New York. - 1st Lt. Ryan Trunk and Gunnery Sgt. Alexander Orellana render a salute alongside Lt. Col. D. Javklanbayar, senior staff officer for the Peace Support Operations Department, General Staff, Mongolian Armed Forces, during the opening ceremony for the Non-Lethal Weapons Executive Seminar (NOLES) 2013 at Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia, Aug. 17. NOLES is a regularly scheduled field training exercise and leadership seminar sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, and hosted annually by various nations throughout Asia-Pacific. In its 12th iteration, this multinational training event is designed to promote awareness and effective use of non-lethal weapons as a tool to maintain order in low-intensity conflict situations or during incidents of civil unrest. Mongolia, a regular participant, is hosting NOLES for the third time. Trunk, training officer with Law Enforcement Battalion, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group and officer-in-charge of the Marine detachment during the exercise is from Brookline, Mass. Orellana, company gunnery sergeant with Company B, LE Battalion, is from New York.

Surgeons from the Mongolian Armed Forces and the Republic of Korea operate on a patient at the MAF's Central Clinical Hospital in Ulaanbaatar during exercise Khaan Quest's Subject Matter Expert Exchange, Aug. 9. The SMEE and Cooperative Health Engagement in nearby Nalaikh district brought a multinational team of medical officers together in both classroom and clinical settings to gain experience, enhance interoperability and be exposed to different tactics, techniques and procedures in the military medical field. Khaan Quest is a peacekeeping operations-focused, combined training event between U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, U.S. Army Pacific, and the MAF. MARFORPAC and USARPAC have conducted similar training with MAF since 2003, and this exercise marks the 11th iteration of the exercise. - Surgeons from the Mongolian Armed Forces and the Republic of Korea operate on a patient at the MAF's Central Clinical Hospital in Ulaanbaatar during exercise Khaan Quest's Subject Matter Expert Exchange, Aug. 9. The SMEE and Cooperative Health Engagement in nearby Nalaikh district brought a multinational team of medical officers together in both classroom and clinical settings to gain experience, enhance interoperability and be exposed to different tactics, techniques and procedures in the military medical field. Khaan Quest is a peacekeeping operations-focused, combined training event between U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, U.S. Army Pacific, and the MAF. MARFORPAC and USARPAC have conducted similar training with MAF since 2003, and this exercise marks the 11th iteration of the exercise.

Cpl. Justin Haish, an instructor for the Khaan Quest 2013 survival course and member of the Jungle Warfare Training Center in Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan, dismounts during a rope corral demonstration for Mongolian Armed Forces soldiers and U.S. Marines, Aug. 7. Khaan Quest is a peacekeeping operations-focused, combined training event between U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, U.S. Army Pacific, and the MAF. MARFORPAC and USARPAC have conducted similar training with MAF since 2003, and this exercise marks the 11th iteration of Khaan Quest. Military personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, India, Nepal, Republic of Korea, Tajikistan, United Kingdom and Vietnam are also participating in the exercise. Haish, currently part of the unit deployment program with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, is from Kailua, Hawaii. - Cpl. Justin Haish, an instructor for the Khaan Quest 2013 survival course and member of the Jungle Warfare Training Center in Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan, dismounts during a rope corral demonstration for Mongolian Armed Forces soldiers and U.S. Marines, Aug. 7. Khaan Quest is a peacekeeping operations-focused, combined training event between U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, U.S. Army Pacific, and the MAF. MARFORPAC and USARPAC have conducted similar training with MAF since 2003, and this exercise marks the 11th iteration of Khaan Quest. Military personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, India, Nepal, Republic of Korea, Tajikistan, United Kingdom and Vietnam are also participating in the exercise. Haish, currently part of the unit deployment program with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, is from Kailua, Hawaii.

Col. Brent S. Willson, previous commanding officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, says goodbye to the battalion at the change of command ceremony here July 26. After initiating and completing countless projects to improve the quality of life of the Marines aboard the base, Willson leaves the Battalion under the command of Col. Darric M. Knight. - Col. Brent S. Willson, previous commanding officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, says goodbye to the battalion at the change of command ceremony here July 26. After initiating and completing countless projects to improve the quality of life of the Marines aboard the base, Willson leaves the Battalion under the command of Col. Darric M. Knight.

Members of the Mongolian Armed Forces Honorary Guard, stand in formation during the opening ceremony of Exercise Khaan Quest in Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia, August 2, 2013. Khaan Quest is an annual multinational exercise sponsored by the U.S. and Mongolia, and it is designed to strengthen the capabilities of U.S., Mongolian and other nations’ forces in international peace support operations. - Members of the Mongolian Armed Forces Honorary Guard, stand in formation during the opening ceremony of Exercise Khaan Quest in Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia, August 2, 2013. Khaan Quest is an annual multinational exercise sponsored by the U.S. and Mongolia, and it is designed to strengthen the capabilities of U.S., Mongolian and other nations’ forces in international peace support operations.

Sgt. Michael Valentino, automotive mechanic, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, conducts heaves, known in the U.S. as pull-ups, as part of a Combat Fitness Leadership Course Barrier Test at the Northern Gym, here, July 30. This was one of seven different exercises participants had to complete. The top two Marine performers in the barrier test will attend the month-long CFLC. - Sgt. Michael Valentino, automotive mechanic, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, conducts heaves, known in the U.S. as pull-ups, as part of a Combat Fitness Leadership Course Barrier Test at the Northern Gym, here, July 30. This was one of seven different exercises participants had to complete. The top two Marine performers in the barrier test will attend the month-long CFLC.

Dallas Giestige, an Ohio native in Oahu for vacation, crosses the finish line of the Camp Smith 5K Grueler first, with a time of 20 minutes, 47 seconds, here July 20. “It was tough,” said the cross-country athlete. “I’m always looking forward to a challenge.” - Dallas Giestige, an Ohio native in Oahu for vacation, crosses the finish line of the Camp Smith 5K Grueler first, with a time of 20 minutes, 47 seconds, here July 20. “It was tough,” said the cross-country athlete. “I’m always looking forward to a challenge.”

Marines prepare to storm the beaches on a landing craft just before the liberation of Guam July 21, 1944. Marine Corps Activity Guam Marines honored the sacrifice of those lost and celebrated with local residents in this year’s 69th Liberation celebration, which concluded Sunday with the Liberation Day Parade. Each year, July is dedicated to preparing for and celebrating the liberation of the island from Japanese occupation during World War II. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. John Raufmann) - Marines prepare to storm the beaches on a landing craft just before the liberation of Guam July 21, 1944. Marine Corps Activity Guam Marines honored the sacrifice of those lost and celebrated with local residents in this year’s 69th Liberation celebration, which concluded Sunday with the Liberation Day Parade. Each year, July is dedicated to preparing for and celebrating the liberation of the island from Japanese occupation during World War II. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. John Raufmann)

U.S. Marines Lance Cpl. Braxton R. Moody (left) and Private First Class Ismael Moctezumadelalanza with 9th Engineer Support Battalion works to clear debris from a window frame during renovation work on Erdmiin Oyun High School as part of Exercise Khaan Quest in the Nalaikh District of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, July 20, 2013. Khaan Quest is a regularly scheduled multinational exercise co sponsored this year by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and hosted annually by the Mongolian Armed Forces, designed to promote regional peace and security. - U.S. Marines Lance Cpl. Braxton R. Moody (left) and Private First Class Ismael Moctezumadelalanza with 9th Engineer Support Battalion works to clear debris from a window frame during renovation work on Erdmiin Oyun High School as part of Exercise Khaan Quest in the Nalaikh District of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, July 20, 2013. Khaan Quest is a regularly scheduled multinational exercise co sponsored this year by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and hosted annually by the Mongolian Armed Forces, designed to promote regional peace and security.