Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar installation leaders stand at attention awaiting the Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to arrive at MCAS Miramar, California, Dec. 3, 2024. Del Toro and his wife, Betty, visited the installation to engage with servicemembers, discuss quality of life issues, enable continued service advocacy and interact with families and MCAS Miramar Child Development Center staff. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jackson Rush). - U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar installation leaders stand at attention awaiting the Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to arrive at MCAS Miramar, California, Dec. 3, 2024. Del Toro and his wife, Betty, visited the installation to engage with servicemembers, discuss quality of life issues, enable continued service advocacy and interact with families and MCAS Miramar Child Development Center staff. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jackson Rush).

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart Glenn, the commanding officer for Marine Rotational Force - Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, shakes hands with Singapore Guardsman Senior Lt. Col. Michael Enriquez, the commanding officer for 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, during the opening ceremony for Valiant Mark 24 on Bedok Camp, Singapore, Dec. 9, 2024. Valiant Mark is an annual, bilateral training exercise conducted between the Singapore Armed Forces and I MEF, designed to enhance interoperability, improve combined arms and amphibious warfighting skills, and strengthen military-to-military relationships. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart Glenn, the commanding officer for Marine Rotational Force - Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, shakes hands with Singapore Guardsman Senior Lt. Col. Michael Enriquez, the commanding officer for 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, during the opening ceremony for Valiant Mark 24 on Bedok Camp, Singapore, Dec. 9, 2024. Valiant Mark is an annual, bilateral training exercise conducted between the Singapore Armed Forces and I MEF, designed to enhance interoperability, improve combined arms and amphibious warfighting skills, and strengthen military-to-military relationships. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, alongside Singapore Guardsmen with 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, conduct a weapons exchange subject matter expert exchange during Valiant Mark 24 on Pasir Laba Camp, Singapore, Dec. 10, 2024. Valiant Mark is an annual, bilateral training exercise conducted between the Singapore Armed Forces and I MEF, designed to enhance interoperability, improve combined arms and amphibious warfighting skills, and strengthen military-to-military relationships. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the International Date Line. (Courtesy asset of the Singapore Armed Forces) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, alongside Singapore Guardsmen with 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, conduct a weapons exchange subject matter expert exchange during Valiant Mark 24 on Pasir Laba Camp, Singapore, Dec. 10, 2024. Valiant Mark is an annual, bilateral training exercise conducted between the Singapore Armed Forces and I MEF, designed to enhance interoperability, improve combined arms and amphibious warfighting skills, and strengthen military-to-military relationships. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the International Date Line. (Courtesy asset of the Singapore Armed Forces)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jasmin Moghbeli, a New York native and NASA astronaut, grins after landing an AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Dec. 12, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jasmin Moghbeli, a New York native and NASA astronaut, grins after landing an AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Dec. 12, 2024. A former AH-1W Super Cobra pilot with HMLA-367 and Marine Corps test pilot, Moghbeli flew more than 150 combat missions before joining NASA’s Astronaut Corps. She commanded SpaceX Crew-7, spending 199 days in orbit and aboard the International Space Station contributing to experiments and technology demonstrations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Devine)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Willow Roque, left, security non-commissioned officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Chantise Robinson, renders the first salute during a commissioning ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 6, 2024. After serving 16 years, the New Orleans, Louisiana native commissioning from an enlisted Marine to a Navy officer signifies a unique bridge between two branches, combining seasoned leadership experience with a new opportunity to serve and lead in a broader capacity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hailey Riddle-Chan) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Willow Roque, left, security non-commissioned officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Chantise Robinson, renders the first salute during a commissioning ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 6, 2024. After serving 16 years, the New Orleans, Louisiana native commissioning from an enlisted Marine to a Navy officer signifies a unique bridge between two branches, combining seasoned leadership experience with a new opportunity to serve and lead in a broader capacity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hailey Riddle-Chan)

The DFT provided VMGR-153 pilots and aircrew with unit level training that enhanced squadron combat readiness while supporting community relations in remote Alaskan regions during the holiday season. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco) - A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J attached to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing flies during a deployment for training (DFT) while en-route to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 4, 2024.

From left to right, Australian Army Maj. Jack Jones, the assistant logistics officer assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit; Maj. Rhys Davies, an AH-1Z Viper pilot assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th MEU; and Maj. George Lynn, the assistant operations officer assigned to the 15th MEU, pose for a photo aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) while underway in the Pacific Ocean Nov. 21, 2024. Jones, Davies, and Lynn served as foreign exchange officers with the 15th MEU through the Marine Corps Personnel Exchange Program, and recently completed a deployment with the 15th MEU to the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini) - From left to right, Australian Army Maj. Jack Jones, the assistant logistics officer assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit; Maj. Rhys Davies, an AH-1Z Viper pilot assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th MEU; and Maj. George Lynn, the assistant operations officer assigned to the 15th MEU, pose for a photo aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) while underway in the Pacific Ocean Nov. 21, 2024. Jones, Davies, and Lynn served as foreign exchange officers with the 15th MEU through the Marine Corps Personnel Exchange Program, and recently completed a deployment with the 15th MEU to the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini)

U.S. Marine leaders with 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, salute as the Marines of Fire Support Battalion, 11th Marines, pass in review during the battalion’s activation ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 19, 2024. The activation of the battalion, which is the first of its kind, is a major step in providing ground commanders with the fire support capabilities to plan, coordinate, and synchronize fires to accomplish missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adeola Adetimehin) - U.S. Marine leaders with 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, salute as the Marines of Fire Support Battalion, 11th Marines, pass in review during the battalion’s activation ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 19, 2024. The activation of the battalion, which is the first of its kind, is a major step in providing ground commanders with the fire support capabilities to plan, coordinate, and synchronize fires to accomplish missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adeola Adetimehin)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistic Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, ground guide Joint Light Tactical Vehicles up a hill on Red Beach as part of Steel Knight 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 7, 2024. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that takes place in multiple locations across the Southwest that allows I Marine Expeditionary Force to train as a full Marine Air-Ground Task Force and better integrate with joint and naval forces. The exercise also certifies 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and CLB-1 to be forward-postured in Australia as part of Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, a six-month deployment during which Marines train with Australian allies and facilitate rapid response to crises and contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Keegan Jones) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistic Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, ground guide Joint Light Tactical Vehicles up a hill on Red Beach as part of Steel Knight 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 7, 2024. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that takes place in multiple locations across the Southwest that allows I Marine Expeditionary Force to train as a full Marine Air-Ground Task Force and better integrate with joint and naval forces. The exercise also certifies 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and CLB-1 to be forward-postured in Australia as part of Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, a six-month deployment during which Marines train with Australian allies and facilitate rapid response to crises and contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Keegan Jones)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Leah Deignan, left, an aviation maintenance officer with Aviation Logistics Division, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Maj. Connor Deignan, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd MAW, pose for a photo with their children after a ceremony promoting the two to the rank of major at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 6, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Leah Deignan, left, an aviation maintenance officer with Aviation Logistics Division, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Maj. Connor Deignan, CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd MAW, pose for a photo with their children after a ceremony promoting the two to the rank of major at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 6, 2025. The Deignans are married to each other and celebrated their concurrent promotions alongside fellow Marines, family, and friends (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)