Pacific Marines Stories

Senior U.S. Marine Corps leaders pose for a photo during the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Commanders Conference on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Feb. 12, 2025. The conference brought together Marine Corps commanders from across the Indo-Pacific region for a series of briefings focused on strengthening operational readiness, enhancing regional posture, and improving coordination across the joint force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Benfield) - Senior U.S. Marine Corps leaders pose for a photo during the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Commanders Conference on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Feb. 12, 2025. The conference brought together Marine Corps commanders from across the Indo-Pacific region for a series of briefings focused on strengthening operational readiness, enhancing regional posture, and improving coordination across the joint force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Benfield)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. David Salazar, armorer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, competes in a pistol competition during the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition Pacific on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 29, 2025. The MCMC Pacific is one of five regional competitions that tests combat marksmanship skills beyond annual qualifications. The top 10 percent of competitors earn an invitation to compete in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Match in Quantico, Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. David Salazar, armorer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, competes in a pistol competition during the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition Pacific on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 29, 2025. The MCMC Pacific is one of five regional competitions that tests combat marksmanship skills beyond annual qualifications. The top 10 percent of competitors earn an invitation to compete in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Match in Quantico, Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter)

The 31st MEU is ready to respond to crisis throughout the region with the entire range of military operations to support and defend our allies and partners in the region. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Lape) - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) pilots, prepare to disembark U.S. Marine Corps light armored vehicle crewmen with Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during an amphibious landing exercise, part of Iron Fist 24, at Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 12, 2024.

Ken Hirano, the Marine and Family Life counselor of 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rd MLG), speaks during a Korean Marine Exchange Program pre-deployment brief at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 6, 2025. Marines and Sailors with 3rd MLG attended a pre-deployment brief designed to equip them with essential information on operational readiness, mental resilience, and support services to help them transition smoothly into their deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rachel Mason) - Ken Hirano, the Marine and Family Life counselor of 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rd MLG), speaks during a Korean Marine Exchange Program pre-deployment brief at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 6, 2025. Marines and Sailors with 3rd MLG attended a pre-deployment brief designed to equip them with essential information on operational readiness, mental resilience, and support services to help them transition smoothly into their deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rachel Mason)

The Stormbreaker 25.1 exercise is designed to enhance combat readiness by establishing, maintaining, and defending communication networks and services, enabling commanders to effectively command and control their forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bridgette Rodriguez) - U.S. Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, secure a stairway as part in a close quarters combat tactics class during the Stormbreaker 25.1 exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 29, 2025.

For the exercise’s culminating event, 3d LCT conducted a force-on-force operation against U.S. Army soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division. The training exercise taking place at PTA mirrors a Service Level Training Exercise by setting conditions for 3d MLR and its subordinate battalions to go forward to the Philippines in support of Exercise Balikatan 25 and Kamandag 9 this summer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Manuel Sandoval, a native of Mexico and an infantry rifleman with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, uses a service flag to signal a landing zone for a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk during a training exercise at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, Feb. 12, 2025.

For the exercise’s culminating event, 3d LCT conducted a force-on-force operation against U.S. Army soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division. The training exercise taking place at PTA mirrors a Service Level Training Exercise by setting conditions for 3d MLR and its subordinate battalions to go forward to the Philippines in support of Exercise Balikatan 25 and Kamandag 9 this summer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Manuel Sandoval, a native of Mexico and an infantry rifleman with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, uses a service flag to signal a landing zone for a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk during a training exercise at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, Feb. 12, 2025.

More than 200 service members from U.S., Thailand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia gathered on the parade grounds at Camp Suranaree, Thailand, Feb. 25, 2025 to usher in the start of Cobra Gold 2025. - More than 200 service members from U.S., Thailand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia gathered on the parade grounds at Camp Suranaree, Thailand, Feb. 25, 2025 to usher in the start of Cobra Gold 2025.

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct a brief aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during a recent visit as LHA 6 conducts routine operations in the Philippine Sea, Japan, Feb. 3, 2025. The visit was part of a broader effort by the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, JGSDF and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force to enhance their military cooperation and interoperability. The U.S.-Japan alliance plays a key role in the defense against potential aggressors. To support these efforts, the Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit and the ARDR regiments continue to invest in interactions aimed at areas of mission complementarity to reliably and more capably respond in tandem to a crisis. These exchanges will further strengthen the Marines’ and ARDR’s ability to work together more seamlessly and maintain a robust deterrence presence in the region. The ARG/MEU, which consists of more than 5,000 Marines and Sailors, is currently underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet's area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews) - Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conduct a brief aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during a recent visit as LHA 6 conducts routine operations in the Philippine Sea, Japan, Feb. 3, 2025. The visit was part of a broader effort by the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, JGSDF and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force to enhance their military cooperation and interoperability. The U.S.-Japan alliance plays a key role in the defense against potential aggressors. To support these efforts, the Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit and the ARDR regiments continue to invest in interactions aimed at areas of mission complementarity to reliably and more capably respond in tandem to a crisis. These exchanges will further strengthen the Marines’ and ARDR’s ability to work together more seamlessly and maintain a robust deterrence presence in the region. The ARG/MEU, which consists of more than 5,000 Marines and Sailors, is currently underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet's area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Andrews)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, gives remarks during the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Commander’s Course tour of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) at Naval Base San Diego, California, Feb. 26, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, gives remarks during the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Commander’s Course tour of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) at Naval Base San Diego, California, Feb. 26, 2025. The Commander's Course brought together leadership from across 3rd MAW to explore key topics ranging from science and technology, safety and unit culture, fostering readiness for future challenges, and enhancing understanding of the MAW's critical role in supporting I Marine Expeditionary Force objectives and the joint force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)