Pacific Marines Stories

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)

Lance Cpl. Cory B. Smith, hygiene equipment operator, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, prepares to pump clean water into an M-149 water tank in Crow Valley, Philippines, for Exercise Balikatan 2012, April 11. He used a Tactical Water Purification System to turn raw river water into potable water for the camp. "It's crucial to have a sustainable amount of water at all times," Smith said. "Before we had to wait for water trucks to come in from the locals to start purifying water, and that wasn't enough to meet our camp's needs." - Lance Cpl. Cory B. Smith, hygiene equipment operator, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, prepares to pump clean water into an M-149 water tank in Crow Valley, Philippines, for Exercise Balikatan 2012, April 11. He used a Tactical Water Purification System to turn raw river water into potable water for the camp. "It's crucial to have a sustainable amount of water at all times," Smith said. "Before we had to wait for water trucks to come in from the locals to start purifying water, and that wasn't enough to meet our camp's needs."

An early morning view shows the progress of Camp Palacio, April 9. Marines and sailors from Combat Logistics Battalion 3 traveled to Crow Valley in the Philippines to provide support to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, for Exercise Balikatan 2012. - An early morning view shows the progress of Camp Palacio, April 9. Marines and sailors from Combat Logistics Battalion 3 traveled to Crow Valley in the Philippines to provide support to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, for Exercise Balikatan 2012.