Pacific Marines Stories

The dock landing ship USS Ashland sits idle off the coast during the U.S. Defense Support of Civil Authorities relief effort in response to Super Typhoon Yutu, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Nov. 3, 2018. Businesses, government buildings, homes and schools were heavily damaged by Super Typhoon Yutu, which made a direct hit with devastating effect on Tinian Oct. 25 packing 170 MPH winds – it is the second strongest storm to ever hit U.S. soil and the strongest storm of 2018. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and CLB-31 have been leading a multi-service contingent since Oct. 29 as part of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency-directed DSCA mission here. The Ashland arrived today to deliver a larger contingent of Marines and Seabees to further assist the people of Tinian. The Marines arrived at the request of CNMI officials and FEMA to assist relief efforts in the wake of Yutu, the largest typhoon to ever hit a U.S. territory. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region. - The dock landing ship USS Ashland sits idle off the coast during the U.S. Defense Support of Civil Authorities relief effort in response to Super Typhoon Yutu, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Nov. 3, 2018. Businesses, government buildings, homes and schools were heavily damaged by Super Typhoon Yutu, which made a direct hit with devastating effect on Tinian Oct. 25 packing 170 MPH winds – it is the second strongest storm to ever hit U.S. soil and the strongest storm of 2018. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and CLB-31 have been leading a multi-service contingent since Oct. 29 as part of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency-directed DSCA mission here. The Ashland arrived today to deliver a larger contingent of Marines and Seabees to further assist the people of Tinian. The Marines arrived at the request of CNMI officials and FEMA to assist relief efforts in the wake of Yutu, the largest typhoon to ever hit a U.S. territory. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Change of Command - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, right, outgoing commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, passes the MARFORPAC colors to Lt. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, the incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 8, 2018. The change of command ceremony represents the transfer of responsibility and authority between commanders.

Canadian soldiers team up with U.S. Marines for amphib raid during RIMPAC - Canadian soldiers with the Royal 22e Régiment exit an AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicle during an amphibious raid as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 13, 2018. This evolution provided an opportunity for participating nations to share best practices which included loading and unloading drills as well as squad attacks. RIMPAC demonstrates the value of amphibious forces and provides high-value training for task-organized, highly capable Marine Air-Ground Task Forces enhancing the critical crisis response capability of U.S. forces and partners globally.

Vietnamese Senior Capt. Le Xuan Thuy, deputy commander, Naval Zone 4, Republic of Vietnam Navy; and Senior Lt. Bui Van Luong, Republic of Vietnam Navy, speak to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Nathan Nastase, assistant chief of staff, G-3/5/7 Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 23, 2018. - Vietnamese Senior Capt. Le Xuan Thuy, deputy commander, Naval Zone 4, Republic of Vietnam Navy; and Senior Lt. Bui Van Luong, Republic of Vietnam Navy, speak to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Nathan Nastase, assistant chief of staff, G-3/5/7 Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 23, 2018. During the symposium, military services from around the world build a closer military-to-military bond with one another. Closer bonds between other militaries facilitate clear lines of communication and foster a spirit of cooperation to meet potential global challenges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jonathan E. Lopez Cruet)

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific hosts the 4th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) with representatives of 22 allied and partner militaries from around the Indo-Pacific region in Hawaii May 21-24, 2018. - U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific hosts the 4th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) with representatives of 22 allied and partner militaries from around the Indo-Pacific region in Hawaii May 21-24, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps Graphic by Sgt. Hilda Perez)

2nd Lt. Jennifer N. Galvan gives a mission brief during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Central Training Area, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 18, 2017. 3d Law Enforcement Battalion conducted the evaluation to test each company’s ability to execute tasks ranging from policing operations to police patrolling, route regulations, key leader engagements in towns and local population centers, and security of key infrastructure in an expeditionary environment, to ensure they are prepared to support the operational requirements of III Marine Expeditionary Force. Galvan, a native of Oak Lawn, Ill., is a platoon commander for Bravo Company, 3d LE Bn., III MEF Headquarters Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Pinkney) - 2nd Lt. Jennifer N. Galvan gives a mission brief during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Central Training Area, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 18, 2017. 3d Law Enforcement Battalion conducted the evaluation to test each company’s ability to execute tasks ranging from policing operations to police patrolling, route regulations, key leader engagements in towns and local population centers, and security of key infrastructure in an expeditionary environment, to ensure they are prepared to support the operational requirements of III Marine Expeditionary Force. Galvan, a native of Oak Lawn, Ill., is a platoon commander for Bravo Company, 3d LE Bn., III MEF Headquarters Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Pinkney)

Sgt. Justin Adams, an instructor with 1st Marine Division Schools ‘Pre-Scout Sniper Course’ observes a soldier with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force during a known distance range conducted at during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 7, 2017. The range consisted of known distances of targets from 100 to 550 meters. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedure to improve their combined operational capabilities. - Sgt. Justin Adams, an instructor with 1st Marine Division Schools ‘Pre-Scout Sniper Course’ observes a soldier with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force during a known distance range conducted at during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 7, 2017. The range consisted of known distances of targets from 100 to 550 meters. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral training exercise where U.S. and Japanese service members train together and share techniques, tactics and procedure to improve their combined operational capabilities.

A Marine with Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, rappels down a cliff at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 24, 2017. JWTC exposes Marines to training situations and environments unique to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region which sustain operational readiness and enhance forward deployed capabilities. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Indo-Asia- Pacific region. - A Marine with Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, rappels down a cliff at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 24, 2017. JWTC exposes Marines to training situations and environments unique to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region which sustain operational readiness and enhance forward deployed capabilities. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Indo-Asia- Pacific region.

U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Brian Cavanaugh, deputy commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, salutes as a wreath is laid for fallen Marines at Barber's Point Golf Course in Kapolei, Hawaii, Dec. 6, 2016. The commemoration was to honor the four Marines killed in the attack at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa Dec. 7, 1941 during the attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. The U.S. military and the State of Hawaii are hosting a series of remembrance events to honor the courage and sacrifices of Pacific Theater veterans. - U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Brian Cavanaugh, deputy commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, salutes as a wreath is laid for fallen Marines at Barber's Point Golf Course in Kapolei, Hawaii, Dec. 6, 2016. The commemoration was to honor the four Marines killed in the attack at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa Dec. 7, 1941 during the attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. The U.S. military and the State of Hawaii are hosting a series of remembrance events to honor the courage and sacrifices of Pacific Theater veterans.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 taxis down the flight line during exercise Cope West 17 at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia, Nov. 10, 2016. This fighter-focused, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force is designed to enhance the readiness of combined interoperability between the two nations. - A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 taxis down the flight line during exercise Cope West 17 at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia, Nov. 10, 2016. This fighter-focused, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesian Air Force is designed to enhance the readiness of combined interoperability between the two nations.