Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, salute Maj. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, the commanding general for 1st MARDIV, after being awarded for winning the 2023 Bushmaster Challenge during the division’s morning colors ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 2, 2023. The division holds the ceremony every quarter to recognize Marines and Sailors for outstanding performance. - U.S. Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, salute Maj. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, the commanding general for 1st MARDIV, after being awarded for winning the 2023 Bushmaster Challenge during the division’s morning colors ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 2, 2023. The division holds the ceremony every quarter to recognize Marines and Sailors for outstanding performance.

Inside protecting Camp Pendleton’s natural resources - A red diamond rattlesnake is placed in a tube before being implanted with a transmitter at the Game Wardens Section (GWS) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 31, 2018. The GWS conducted research by implanting rattlesnakes with a transmitter and documenting their locations to ensure that they do not return to the area they were caught. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kerstin Roberts)

Responsible hunting on Camp Pendleton balances sport and stewardship to the environment - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jeffrey Holt, deputy commander of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton, searches for a good vantage point during a deer hunting session in the 52 area of MCB Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 4, 2018. Deer hunting season runs from the 3rd through the 25th of November, and just as is the case for other wildlife hunting seasons, it is conducted to preserve a sustainable wildlife environment throughout MCB Camp Pendleton. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Dylan Chagnon)

RIMPAC provides high-value training for task-organized, highly-capable Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhances the critical crisis response capability of U.S. Marines in the Pacific. - U.S. Marines assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion take to the sea at an assault amphibious vehicle familiarization training during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 28, 2018. Marines training with partner nations from around the world enhances prowess. RIMPAC provides high-value training for task-organized, highly-capable Marine Air-Ground Task Force and enhances the critical crisis response capability of U.S. Marines in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jeremy Laboy)

Sgt. Greg Wubben, a civil affairs non-commissioned officer with 1st Civil Affairs Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Ridgefield, Wash., waits for a familiarization brief on New Zealand helicopters during the initial stages of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Linton Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 4. SK13 is designed to improve participating forces’ combat training, readiness and interoperability as part of a Joint Inter-Agency Task Force. - Sgt. Greg Wubben, a civil affairs non-commissioned officer with 1st Civil Affairs Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Ridgefield, Wash., waits for a familiarization brief on New Zealand helicopters during the initial stages of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Linton Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 4. SK13 is designed to improve participating forces’ combat training, readiness and interoperability as part of a Joint Inter-Agency Task Force.

Capt. Gareth Collings, logistics advisor with 2 Engineer Regiment, from New Plymouth, New Zealand, gives a tactical movement brief during Phase I of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Timaru, New Zealand, Nov. 12. SK13 strengthens military to military relationships and cooperation with partner nations and the New Zealand Defence Force. - Capt. Gareth Collings, logistics advisor with 2 Engineer Regiment, from New Plymouth, New Zealand, gives a tactical movement brief during Phase I of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Timaru, New Zealand, Nov. 12. SK13 strengthens military to military relationships and cooperation with partner nations and the New Zealand Defence Force.

Wing Commander Darryl Cockroft, commanding officer of 209 Expeditionary Support Squadron, from Napier, New Zealand, talks to Dr. Jonathan Coleman, New Zealand Minister of Defence, during exercise Southern Katipo 2013 at Timaru Airfield, New Zealand, Nov. 15. SK13 allows our service members to collaborate with partner countries to achieve mutual security goals, address shared concerns and continue to enhance our interoperability. - Wing Commander Darryl Cockroft, commanding officer of 209 Expeditionary Support Squadron, from Napier, New Zealand, talks to Dr. Jonathan Coleman, New Zealand Minister of Defence, during exercise Southern Katipo 2013 at Timaru Airfield, New Zealand, Nov. 15. SK13 allows our service members to collaborate with partner countries to achieve mutual security goals, address shared concerns and continue to enhance our interoperability.

Lance Cpl. Ryo Bolanos, the youngest Marine and a forward observer with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company ceremoniously receives cake from Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gordon Butler, oldest Marine and motor transport officer with Combat Logistics Regiment 15, from Greenbush, Minn., at the 238th Marine Corps birthday celebration during exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Linton Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 10. SK13 is designed to improve participating forces’ combat training, readiness and interoperability as part of a Joint Inter-Agency Task Force. - Lance Cpl. Ryo Bolanos, the youngest Marine and a forward observer with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company ceremoniously receives cake from Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gordon Butler, oldest Marine and motor transport officer with Combat Logistics Regiment 15, from Greenbush, Minn., at the 238th Marine Corps birthday celebration during exercise Southern Katipo 2013 aboard Linton Military Camp, New Zealand, Nov. 10. SK13 is designed to improve participating forces’ combat training, readiness and interoperability as part of a Joint Inter-Agency Task Force.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Rodger Moana, senior weapons instructor with 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Defence Force, from Palmerston North, New Zealand, gives a brief during the initial stages of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 at Linton Military Camp in Linton, New Zealand, Nov. 4. The purpose of SK13 strengthens military to military relationships and cooperation with partner nations and the New Zealand Defence Force. - Warrant Officer Class 1 Rodger Moana, senior weapons instructor with 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Defence Force, from Palmerston North, New Zealand, gives a brief during the initial stages of exercise Southern Katipo 2013 at Linton Military Camp in Linton, New Zealand, Nov. 4. The purpose of SK13 strengthens military to military relationships and cooperation with partner nations and the New Zealand Defence Force.

Cpl. Nicholas P. Brazil, helicopter crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, adjusts radio wires aboard a UH-1Y Super Huey July 7 during cross-cockpit training with pilots of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 as part of Rim of the Pacific 2012. Multiple detachments of aviation and support units will be assigned to HMH 463 (reinforced) during RIMPAC 12 to comprise the aviation combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 3. Approximately 2,200 personnel from nine nations comprise SPMAGTF-3, Combined Force Land Component Command. The CFLCC is conducting amphibious and land-based operations in order to enhance multinational and joint interoperability. - Cpl. Nicholas P. Brazil, helicopter crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, adjusts radio wires aboard a UH-1Y Super Huey July 7 during cross-cockpit training with pilots of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 as part of Rim of the Pacific 2012. Multiple detachments of aviation and support units will be assigned to HMH 463 (reinforced) during RIMPAC 12 to comprise the aviation combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 3. Approximately 2,200 personnel from nine nations comprise SPMAGTF-3, Combined Force Land Component Command. The CFLCC is conducting amphibious and land-based operations in order to enhance multinational and joint interoperability.