Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jorge Rodriguez, a logistics specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and native of Oxnard, California, reads a book to kids in the Pohnpei Public Library after helping unload the boxes of book during exercise Koa Moana 24 at Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, Aug. 1, 2024. During Koa Moana’s deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force work to strengthen alliances and partnerships with development of interoperable capabilities, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hollerud) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jorge Rodriguez, a logistics specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and native of Oxnard, California, reads a book to kids in the Pohnpei Public Library after helping unload the boxes of book during exercise Koa Moana 24 at Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, Aug. 1, 2024. During Koa Moana’s deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force work to strengthen alliances and partnerships with development of interoperable capabilities, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hollerud)

The Honorable Mr. Surangel Whipps Jr., left, President, Republic of Palau, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Daniel Shipley, center, deputy commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and The Honorable Mr. Emais Roberts, Governor, Peleliu State, Republic of Palau converse following the 80th Commemoration of the Battle of Peleliu in Peleliu State, Republic of Palau, Sept. 15, 2024. The exceptional heroism and sacrifices made by Marines and Soldiers at the battle of Peleliu during World War II underscore the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and inspire us to continue to enhance our strong partnerships in this vital region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter) - The Honorable Mr. Surangel Whipps Jr., left, President, Republic of Palau, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Daniel Shipley, center, deputy commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and The Honorable Mr. Emais Roberts, Governor, Peleliu State, Republic of Palau converse following the 80th Commemoration of the Battle of Peleliu in Peleliu State, Republic of Palau, Sept. 15, 2024. The exceptional heroism and sacrifices made by Marines and Soldiers at the battle of Peleliu during World War II underscore the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and inspire us to continue to enhance our strong partnerships in this vital region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter)

U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific stand in formation during the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 12, 2024. With two-thirds of the Marine Corps operating forces assigned, MARFORPAC operates in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, the largest Geographical Combatant Command in the U.S. Department of Defense, as the Nation’s expedition force and like-minded allies and partners to preserve and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ash McLaughlin) - U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific stand in formation during the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 12, 2024. With two-thirds of the Marine Corps operating forces assigned, MARFORPAC operates in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, the largest Geographical Combatant Command in the U.S. Department of Defense, as the Nation’s expedition force and like-minded allies and partners to preserve and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ash McLaughlin)

U.S. Marines from C Company, 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, stand in formation alongside members of the French Armed Forces during the Bazeilles Day Ceremony in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Sept. 5, 2024. The celebration of the 154th Bazeilles Day commemorates a pivotal moment for the French Armed Forces during the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 where French marines were outnumbered by their enemy ten-to-one during one of the first recorded instances of urban warfare. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor) - U.S. Marines from C Company, 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, stand in formation alongside members of the French Armed Forces during the Bazeilles Day Ceremony in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Sept. 5, 2024. The celebration of the 154th Bazeilles Day commemorates a pivotal moment for the French Armed Forces during the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 where French marines were outnumbered by their enemy ten-to-one during one of the first recorded instances of urban warfare. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor)

Exercise SY 24 strengthens the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Peyton Kahle) - A U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle attached to Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, enters the water from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) in waters east of South Korea, Sept. 1, 2024, during exercise Ssang Yong 24.

U.S. Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Australian Defence Force Soldiers, and Indonesian National Armed Forces, prepare a simulated casualty for treatment as part of a mass casualty exercise during Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AUSINDO 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 20, 2024. - U.S. Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Australian Defence Force Soldiers, and Indonesian National Armed Forces, prepare a simulated casualty for treatment as part of a mass casualty exercise during Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AUSINDO 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 20, 2024. BKA 24, previously named Crocodile Response, is a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise focused on strengthening the cooperation and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps, TNI, ADF, and other government agencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

While ashore at Camp Mujuk, the 15th MEU conducted a maintenance exercise to complete preventive maintenance checks and services, corrective maintenance, equipment modifications, and calibrations to ensure ground equipment readiness. Elements of the 15th MEU are currently located in South Korea to conduct integrated training with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps to contribute toward combined capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Amelia Kang) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Bryan Acosta, automotive maintenance technician, Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of California, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Installation Camp Mujuk, Pohang, South Korea, Aug. 20, 2024.

Ratliff is a native of Indiana. KMEP is a bilateral training exercise that increases interoperability and strengthens the combined capabilities of ROK and U.S. Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paley Fenner) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Grace Ratliff, right, an engineer assistant with Company B, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Marines with 8th Engineer Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, prepare a ROK KM16 anti-personnel practice mine during a bilateral conventional minefield exchange during Korean Marine Exchange Program 24.2 on Gunha-Rhi, Gyeonggi, South Korea, Aug. 1, 2024.

Republic of Korea Marines with 1st ROK Marine Division prepare for first contact with land while conducting a ship to shore movement in Korean assault amphibious vehicles during exercise Ssang Yong 24 in waters east of the coast of Korea, South Korea, Sept. 1, 2024. Exercise SY24 strengthens the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John J. Simpson) - Republic of Korea Marines with 1st ROK Marine Division prepare for first contact with land while conducting a ship to shore movement in Korean assault amphibious vehicles during exercise Ssang Yong 24 in waters east of the coast of Korea, South Korea, Sept. 1, 2024. Exercise SY24 strengthens the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John J. Simpson)

U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit offload equipment from a U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) attached to Assault Craft Unit 5 at Dogu Beach, South Korea, Aug. 8, 2024, to support integrated training with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. Integrated training between the two countries strengthens the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini) - U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit offload equipment from a U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) attached to Assault Craft Unit 5 at Dogu Beach, South Korea, Aug. 8, 2024, to support integrated training with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. Integrated training between the two countries strengthens the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini)