Pacific Marines Stories

Recently, U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command’s (Naval Oceanography) Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) tracked Super Typhoon 02W (MAWAR) through the Western Pacific as the storm reached historic proportions.MAWAR’s peak intensity was reported to have reached upwards of 160ktnots (184 mph). In times of severe and impactful weather hazards due to tropical cyclones, JTWC plays a vital role in protecting the Navy; Ships and Sailors alike. - Recently, U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command’s (Naval Oceanography) Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) tracked Super Typhoon 02W (MAWAR) through the Western Pacific as the storm reached historic proportions. MAWAR’s peak intensity was reported to have reached upwards of 160ktnots (184 mph). In times of severe and impactful weather hazards due to tropical cyclones, JTWC plays a vital role in protecting the Navy; Ships and Sailors alike.

In a historic moment for the Republic of Palau, one of its own has achieved the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) in the United States Marine Corps. This achievement marks the first time a Palauan has attained the highest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps. On May 12, 2023 Master Gunnery Sgt. Milton Donatus was frocked at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz, Guam in front of a formation of Marines, family, Marine veterans, and the Consul General of the Republic of Palau on Guam. - In a historic moment for the Republic of Palau, one of its own has achieved the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) in the United States Marine Corps. This achievement marks the first time a Palauan has attained the highest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps. On May 12, 2023 Master Gunnery Sgt. Milton Donatus was frocked at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz, Guam in front of a formation of Marines, family, Marine veterans, and the Consul General of the Republic of Palau on Guam.

Makin Island ARG Conducts Balikatan with the Armed Forces of the Philippines - A U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, and a U.S. Marine MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor (VMM) 362 (Rein.), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, returns to amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), during a ship-to-shore operation of Balikatan 23, April 12, 2023 in the Subic Bay Harbor. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades shared experiences. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of Makin Island and amphibious transport docks USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations with the embarked 13th MEU to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eloise A. Johnson)

A U.S. Marine delivers donation boxes to the Guam Chamber of Commerce to commence the 2020 Toys for Tots Campaign on Oct. 14. - A U.S. Marine delivers donation boxes to the Guam Chamber of Commerce to commence the 2020 Toys for Tots Campaign on Oct. 14.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rudy Martinez, a powerliner from Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, watches over the refueling process of an F-18 Hornet after flight operations at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Feb. 11, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2011. Cobra Gold is an regularly scheduled annual multinational training exercise. It is the latest in the continuing series of U.S. - Thai military exercises designed to ensure regional peace and stability. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rudy Martinez, a powerliner from Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, watches over the refueling process of an F-18 Hornet after flight operations at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Feb. 11, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2011. Cobra Gold is an regularly scheduled annual multinational training exercise. It is the latest in the continuing series of U.S. - Thai military exercises designed to ensure regional peace and stability.

Marines hand out water to the residents of Saipan - Marines hand out water to the residents of Saipan

Marines prepare to storm the beaches on a landing craft just before the liberation of Guam July 21, 1944. Marine Corps Activity Guam Marines honored the sacrifice of those lost and celebrated with local residents in this year’s 69th Liberation celebration, which concluded Sunday with the Liberation Day Parade. Each year, July is dedicated to preparing for and celebrating the liberation of the island from Japanese occupation during World War II. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. John Raufmann) - Marines prepare to storm the beaches on a landing craft just before the liberation of Guam July 21, 1944. Marine Corps Activity Guam Marines honored the sacrifice of those lost and celebrated with local residents in this year’s 69th Liberation celebration, which concluded Sunday with the Liberation Day Parade. Each year, July is dedicated to preparing for and celebrating the liberation of the island from Japanese occupation during World War II. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. John Raufmann)

The Guam assault by the Third Marine Division and the First Marine Provisional Brigade came July 20, 1944, after a 17-day aerial and naval bombardment which established a record tonnage of explosives dropped on a Japanese position. Opposition on the beaches, as at Saipan, was vigorous and Marines in this wave leap from their amphibious tractor for the shelter of the sand dunes. The Marine advance was steady and the former American possession, captured by the Japanese on December 10, 1941, was completely won by August 9, 1944. - The Guam assault by the Third Marine Division and the First Marine Provisional Brigade came July 20, 1944, after a 17-day aerial and naval bombardment which established a record tonnage of explosives dropped on a Japanese position. Opposition on the beaches, as at Saipan, was vigorous and Marines in this wave leap from their amphibious tractor for the shelter of the sand dunes. The Marine advance was steady and the former American possession, captured by the Japanese on December 10, 1941, was completely won by August 9, 1944.