Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marine Sgt. Kiel Waltz, a native of Havelock, N.C. assigned to Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, discusses the effectiveness of a taser with a group of military observers during Non-lethal Weapons Executive Seminar 2011(NOLES) June 8. Military representatives from around the world observed a demonstration and handled non-lethal weapons prior to attending a senior officer non-lethal seminar in Bangkok, Thailand. The seminar, co-hosted by Thai and U.S. militaries, promotes the advancement of non-lethal capabilities by serving as a forum to exchange ideas among partner militaries. - U.S. Marine Sgt. Kiel Waltz, a native of Havelock, N.C. assigned to Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, discusses the effectiveness of a taser with a group of military observers during Non-lethal Weapons Executive Seminar 2011(NOLES) June 8. Military representatives from around the world observed a demonstration and handled non-lethal weapons prior to attending a senior officer non-lethal seminar in Bangkok, Thailand. The seminar, co-hosted by Thai and U.S. militaries, promotes the advancement of non-lethal capabilities by serving as a forum to exchange ideas among partner militaries.

Marines and Sailors from Landing Force Company and Indonesian Marines from 6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Korps Marinir, make their way to martial arts training May 27. Landing Force Company, comprised primarily of Marines from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment and 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, is participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral exercises held between the U.S. and Southeast Asian nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness. While in Indonesia, the service members from both nations will train together on martial arts, military operations on urban terrain, jungle warfare, combat marksmanship and combat lifesaving. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler) - Marines and Sailors from Landing Force Company and Indonesian Marines from 6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Korps Marinir, make their way to martial arts training May 27. Landing Force Company, comprised primarily of Marines from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment and 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, is participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral exercises held between the U.S. and Southeast Asian nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness. While in Indonesia, the service members from both nations will train together on martial arts, military operations on urban terrain, jungle warfare, combat marksmanship and combat lifesaving. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler)

Lance Cpl. Andy Rivera, a rifleman with 2nd Platoon, Landing Force Company, performs a high kick after a demonstration by Indonesian Marines from 6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Korps Marinir, during martial arts training May 27. Landing Force Company, comprised primarily of Marines from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment and 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, is participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral exercises held between the U.S. and Southeast Asian nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness. While in Indonesia, the service members from both nations will train together on martial arts, military operations on urban terrain, jungle warfare, combat marksmanship and combat lifesaving. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler) - Lance Cpl. Andy Rivera, a rifleman with 2nd Platoon, Landing Force Company, performs a high kick after a demonstration by Indonesian Marines from 6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Korps Marinir, during martial arts training May 27. Landing Force Company, comprised primarily of Marines from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment and 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, is participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral exercises held between the U.S. and Southeast Asian nations with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness. While in Indonesia, the service members from both nations will train together on martial arts, military operations on urban terrain, jungle warfare, combat marksmanship and combat lifesaving. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler)

Seaman Benjamen Garrett, Boatswain’s Mate, fires an M-240B machine gun during a live-fire drill May 23 aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46). Marines with Weapons Platoon, Landing Force Company trained a group of sailors aboard the ship during the drill. Marines with LF Company are participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held between U.S. and Southeast Asian defense forces with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness. The majority of the Marines comprising the landing force are volunteers from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division and 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division. Reserve Marines are an integral element of the Marine Corps total force and regularly participate in operations and theater security cooperation exercises overseas. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler) - Seaman Benjamen Garrett, Boatswain’s Mate, fires an M-240B machine gun during a live-fire drill May 23 aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46). Marines with Weapons Platoon, Landing Force Company trained a group of sailors aboard the ship during the drill. Marines with LF Company are participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held between U.S. and Southeast Asian defense forces with the goals of enhancing regional cooperation, promoting mutual trust and understanding, and increasing operational readiness. The majority of the Marines comprising the landing force are volunteers from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division and 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division. Reserve Marines are an integral element of the Marine Corps total force and regularly participate in operations and theater security cooperation exercises overseas. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler)

Sgt. Michael Uybungco, vehicle commander, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, directs his amphibious assault vehicle past Royal Thai Navy medium landing ship HTMS Surin (LST 722) during an amphibious assault exercise May 18, as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. This AAV was part of the second wave to hit the beach during a bilateral landing exercise with the Royal Thai Navy and Marine Corps. The landing force, comprised primarily of reserve Marines from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, was delivered to shore from the landing dock ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) by Uybungco and fellow ‘trackers’ from his battalion. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. K. Madison Carter) - Sgt. Michael Uybungco, vehicle commander, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, directs his amphibious assault vehicle past Royal Thai Navy medium landing ship HTMS Surin (LST 722) during an amphibious assault exercise May 18, as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. This AAV was part of the second wave to hit the beach during a bilateral landing exercise with the Royal Thai Navy and Marine Corps. The landing force, comprised primarily of reserve Marines from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, was delivered to shore from the landing dock ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) by Uybungco and fellow ‘trackers’ from his battalion. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. K. Madison Carter)

Australian Army Maj. Gen. David Morrison (right), commanding general, Forces Command, orders a bayonet charge here May 15 during the 2011 Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM). The charge was carried out by Marines with Marine Shooting Detachment Australia, New Zealand Army soldiers and Australian Army soldiers. The week-long meeting pit military representatives from partner nations in competition in a series of grueling combat marksmanship events. Represented nations include Canada, France (French Forces New Caledonia), Indonesia, Timor Leste, Brunei, Netherlands, U.S., Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand as well as a contingent of Japanese observers. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Mark W. Stroud/Released) - Australian Army Maj. Gen. David Morrison (right), commanding general, Forces Command, orders a bayonet charge here May 15 during the 2011 Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM). The charge was carried out by Marines with Marine Shooting Detachment Australia, New Zealand Army soldiers and Australian Army soldiers. The week-long meeting pit military representatives from partner nations in competition in a series of grueling combat marksmanship events. Represented nations include Canada, France (French Forces New Caledonia), Indonesia, Timor Leste, Brunei, Netherlands, U.S., Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand as well as a contingent of Japanese observers. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Mark W. Stroud/Released)

Cpl. Duane Kamp, mortarman, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, fires on a target from the kneeling position during a competition here May 13 at the 2011 Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting. The week-long meeting pit military representatives from partner nations in competition through a series of grueling combat marksmanship events. Represented nations include Canada, France (French Forces New Caledonia), Indonesia, Timor Leste, Brunei, Netherlands, U.S., Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand as well as a contingent of Japanese observers. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Mark W. Stroud/Released) - Cpl. Duane Kamp, mortarman, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, fires on a target from the kneeling position during a competition here May 13 at the 2011 Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting. The week-long meeting pit military representatives from partner nations in competition through a series of grueling combat marksmanship events. Represented nations include Canada, France (French Forces New Caledonia), Indonesia, Timor Leste, Brunei, Netherlands, U.S., Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand as well as a contingent of Japanese observers. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Mark W. Stroud/Released)

Sgt. Joshua Martin, competitor, Combat Shooting Team, Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, runs to the firing point during a timed match May 15 at the 2011 Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting. The meeting is an annual, international combat-marksmanship competition hosted by the Australian Army that will run through May 19. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Mark W. Stroud/Released) - Sgt. Joshua Martin, competitor, Combat Shooting Team, Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, runs to the firing point during a timed match May 15 at the 2011 Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting. The meeting is an annual, international combat-marksmanship competition hosted by the Australian Army that will run through May 19. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Mark W. Stroud/Released)

Protocol, a Marine canoe racing team, paddles furiously during the first heat of the 2011 All Military Canoe Regatta men’s division May 7 at the Rainbow Bay Marina, here. Protocol is composed of Marines from the Office of the Staff Secretary, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. The first-time canoe racers decided to form a team after they received a taste of the sport during a physical training session a month ago. - Protocol, a Marine canoe racing team, paddles furiously during the first heat of the 2011 All Military Canoe Regatta men’s division May 7 at the Rainbow Bay Marina, here. Protocol is composed of Marines from the Office of the Staff Secretary, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. The first-time canoe racers decided to form a team after they received a taste of the sport during a physical training session a month ago.

Staff Sgt. Michael A. Johnson, company gunnery sergeant for Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, demonstrates a proper shooting stance during Table 3 Intermediate Combat Rifle Marksmanship Training with the M4 Carbine assault rifle here. MarForPac Marines began Table 3 qualifications in January as part of a Corps-wide effort to provide Marines additional weapons training. The majority of Marines qualify annually on the Table 1, known distance, and Table 2, field fire, courses of fire. - Staff Sgt. Michael A. Johnson, company gunnery sergeant for Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, demonstrates a proper shooting stance during Table 3 Intermediate Combat Rifle Marksmanship Training with the M4 Carbine assault rifle here. MarForPac Marines began Table 3 qualifications in January as part of a Corps-wide effort to provide Marines additional weapons training. The majority of Marines qualify annually on the Table 1, known distance, and Table 2, field fire, courses of fire.