Pacific Marines Stories

Master Sgt. Antoine Robinson hugs Mary, a 9-year old Shepherd of the Hills Children’s Foundation resident, during a community relations project. Robinson was among 40 other volunteers participating in the project coordinated by the Combined Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force chaplain. The children’s home was founded in 1976 after a typhoon displaced the foundation’s first 20 children. The foundation is dedicated to providing a caring home for abandoned, neglected, abused or underprivileged children. The event was one of several scheduled by CJCMOTF units in support of Exercise Balikatan 2013. Balikatan is an annual Republic of the Philippines – U.S. military bilateral training exercise and humanitarian assistance engagement. - Master Sgt. Antoine Robinson hugs Mary, a 9-year old Shepherd of the Hills Children’s Foundation resident, during a community relations project. Robinson was among 40 other volunteers participating in the project coordinated by the Combined Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force chaplain. The children’s home was founded in 1976 after a typhoon displaced the foundation’s first 20 children. The foundation is dedicated to providing a caring home for abandoned, neglected, abused or underprivileged children. The event was one of several scheduled by CJCMOTF units in support of Exercise Balikatan 2013. Balikatan is an annual Republic of the Philippines – U.S. military bilateral training exercise and humanitarian assistance engagement.

DIEGO GARCIA - Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division board the USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE-1) here Sept. 30 while in transit to the Maldives for Exercise Coconut Grove 2012, scheduled Oct. 6-16. Coconut Grove is a bilateral training exercise conducted bi-annually between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Maldivian National Defense Force. - DIEGO GARCIA - Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division board the USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE-1) here Sept. 30 while in transit to the Maldives for Exercise Coconut Grove 2012, scheduled Oct. 6-16. Coconut Grove is a bilateral training exercise conducted bi-annually between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Maldivian National Defense Force.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Air Force Staff Sgt. Michle P. Balberan, a member of 5711 Security Force Squadron, and U.S. Marine Sgt. Paul Mead, a member of Marine Wing Support Squadron 172's Quick Reaction Force, look at a fake improvised explosive device during a training evolution as part of Exercise Balikatan 2012 (BK12) on April 13, 2012 at the AFP's Western Command Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines. BK12, in its 28th iteration, is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military members designed to build joint planning, contingency, humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities. MWSS-172 is part of Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. BK12 officially begins April 16, 2012. (Photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Lyndel Johnson) - Armed Forces of the Philippines Air Force Staff Sgt. Michle P. Balberan, a member of 5711 Security Force Squadron, and U.S. Marine Sgt. Paul Mead, a member of Marine Wing Support Squadron 172's Quick Reaction Force, look at a fake improvised explosive device during a training evolution as part of Exercise Balikatan 2012 (BK12) on April 13, 2012 at the AFP's Western Command Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines. BK12, in its 28th iteration, is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military members designed to build joint planning, contingency, humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities. MWSS-172 is part of Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. BK12 officially begins April 16, 2012. (Photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Lyndel Johnson)