Pacific Marines Stories

From left, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alexander Cruz, Lance Cpl. Samuel Engelman, and Lance Cpl. Jaden Neal transmissions system operators with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, program a Portable Radio Communications 160 System during a joint-training communications exercise at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Oct. 22, 2025 - From left, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alexander Cruz, Lance Cpl. Samuel Engelman, and Lance Cpl. Jaden Neal transmissions system operators with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, program a Portable Radio Communications 160 System during a joint-training communications exercise at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Oct. 22, 2025. 3rd MLR worked alongside U.S. Army soldiers with 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, to communicate with Marines from 12th MLR in Okinawa, Japan, to enhance interoperability by rehearsing interorganizational communication and refining techniques, tactics, and procedures. Cruz and Neal are natives of California, and Engelman is a native of Missouri. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Grace Barneveld)

Enhancing Interoperability: 3rd MLR and 12th MLR Conduct Communications Exercise with 3rd MDTF

3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, conducted a joint training exercise aimed at enhancing and synchronizing communications capabilities at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Oct. 22, 2025. This communications exercise involved collaboration between U.S. Marines with 3rd MLR and U.S. Army Soldiers from the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, as well as participation from U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Littoral Regiment based out of Okinawa, Japan.

Read More

A Philippine Air Force service member, left, coordinates with U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Steve Lundin, right, the officer in charge of the Humanitarian Assistance Response Team assigned to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, about unloading palletized family food packs from a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in support of foreign disaster relief operations at Virac, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2025. - A Philippine Air Force service member, left, coordinates with U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Steve Lundin, right, the officer in charge of the Humanitarian Assistance Response Team assigned to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, about unloading palletized family food packs from a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in support of foreign disaster relief operations at Virac, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2025. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. military is working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief support to communities affected by consecutive Typhoons Kalmaegi (Tino) and Fung-Wong (Uwan), which caused extensive damage and tragic loss of life. The forward presence and ready posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitates rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Knowles)

U.S. Military Forces Conclude Disaster Relief Efforts in Philippines Following Typhoons Fung-Wong and Kalmaegi

U.S. military forces from multiple forward-deployed units concluded foreign disaster relief operations following impacts by Typhoons Fung-Wong and Kalmaegi in the Philippines.

Read More

The exercise enhanced Marines’ ability to install, operate, and maintain tactical communications architecture while strengthening leadership, teamwork, and expeditionary readiness in support of III MEF operations across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Meshaq Hylton) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon Aguilar, a native of California and a satellite communications operator maintainer with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, crosses a rope line on an obstacle course during Operation Odyssey Stormbreaker III at Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 4, 2025.

Ropes and Radios: 7th Communication Battalion Marines test endurance and connectivity in jungles of Okinawa

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan – Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, completed a weeklong field communications exercise at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, strengthening their ability to install, operate and maintain tactical networks in austere terrain while sharpening basic infantry tactics and skills.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Saris II, top left, a native of Pennsylvania, and Cpl. Alex Hunt, right, a native of Maryland, instruct Lance Cpl. Christopher Camareno, a native of Florida, all cyberspace warfare operators with 3d Cyber Warfare Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, during the Marine Corps Cyber Red Zone 26-1 event at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 4, 2025. Cyber Red Zone challenged Marines to find and defend networks against simulated cyberattacks, improving the Marine Corps’ ability to fight and win in the information domain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John-Paul Haubeil) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Saris II, top left, a native of Pennsylvania, and Cpl. Alex Hunt, right, a native of Maryland, instruct Lance Cpl. Christopher Camareno, a native of Florida, all cyberspace warfare operators with 3d Cyber Warfare Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, during the Marine Corps Cyber Red Zone 26-1 event at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 4, 2025. Cyber Red Zone challenged Marines to find and defend networks against simulated cyberattacks, improving the Marine Corps’ ability to fight and win in the information domain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John-Paul Haubeil)

3d Cyber Warfare Company participates in offensive cyber competition to bolster Indo-Pacific regional security

As the Indo-Pacific region faces the challenges of the information age and the rise of technological warfare, Marines with 3d Cyber Warfare Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (III MIG), participated in Cyber Red Zone 26-1 training competition at Camp Courtney from October through November. During the exercise, Marines broke into simulated enemy databases and captured classified information to combat and counter the evolving technological methods foreign adversaries may use to strengthen their offensive and defensive cyber capabilities.

Read More

The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy participate in the Marine Corps 250th Birthday Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 18, 2025. - The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy participate in the Marine Corps 250th Birthday Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 18, 2025. The 250th Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Camp Pendleton marks the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday and America’s Semiquincentennial. The live-fire event highlights the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to integrate across air, land, and sea, showcasing the Corps’ enduring role as America’s force in-readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Bustamante)

Ready, Engaged, Lethal: I Marine Expeditionary Force Year in Review

From the littorals of the Indo-Pacific to the familiar training grounds of Southern California, 2025 was a year defined by action for I Marine Expeditionary Force. As America’s crisis response force, the Marines and Sailors of I MEF consistently demonstrated their commitment to being forward-deployed, combat-ready and prepared to answer the

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Adams, sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force, poses for a photo with 1st Sgt. Christopher McCullar during McCullar’s redesignation ceremony on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 9, 2026. McCullar was selected for a lateral move from master sergeant to first sergeant under the new E-8 transfer pilot initiative. McCullar will take over as the senior enlisted advisor for Communications Company, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jeremiah Barksdale) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Adams, sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force, poses for a photo with 1st Sgt. Christopher McCullar during McCullar’s redesignation ceremony on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 9, 2026. McCullar was selected for a lateral move from master sergeant to first sergeant under the new E-8 transfer pilot initiative. McCullar will take over as the senior enlisted advisor for Communications Company, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jeremiah Barksdale)

First Sergeant community welcomes highly qualified Marine

The Marine Corps has long been committed to retaining its talented individuals. The E-8 Redesignation Pilot Program serves to continue that commitment to retaining and growing talent. By allowing master sergeants to shift into the first sergeant role, the program allows the Marine Corps to leverage the leadership capabilities of seasoned Marines, aligning talent more efficiently with the Corps’ operational needs. First Sergeant Christopher J. McCullar exemplifies talent that the Marine Corps seeks to keep. His outstanding performance over nearly two decades has afforded him the chance to chase after something he’s wanted since his early days in the Marine Corps.

Read More

U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, look at photos during a tour of a battlefield in an area formerly known as the Que Son Valley near Da Nang, Vietnam, Jan. 10, 2026. Marines and Sailors visited this battle site to honor and show reverence for the service members who fought in the Vietnam War. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola) - U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, look at photos during a tour of a battlefield in an area formerly known as the Que Son Valley near Da Nang, Vietnam, Jan. 10, 2026. Marines and Sailors visited this battle site to honor and show reverence for the service members who fought in the Vietnam War. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola)

31st MEU | U.S. Marines, Sailors Honor Legacy of Operation Swift During Battlefield Visit in Vietnam

From January 9–11, 2026, U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted a battlefield visit to the site of Operation Swift, a pivotal engagement of the Vietnam War, to honor the legacy of those who fought there and to reflect on the enduring bonds between past and present generations of service members. During the Vietnam War, Marine forces conducted amphibious and helicopter-borne operations as part of Special Landing Force Alpha, including during Operation Swift, employing integrated air, ground, and logistics elements in combat that reinforced the MAGTF construct and helped shape the MEU’s role as a forward-deployed, rapid-response force.

Read More