Pacific Marines Stories

Master Gunnery Sgt. Mark Gleason, Bandmaster of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band, receives a gift from the president of the Indonesian Defense University, after a performance by the MARFORPAC Band Brass Quintet for students and staff at the Indonesia Defense University, June 5, 2015. The performance was the last of five performances on their four-day trip to Jakarta. This was the first time members from the MARFORPAC Band traveled to Indonesia. - Master Gunnery Sgt. Mark Gleason, Bandmaster of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band, receives a gift from the president of the Indonesian Defense University, after a performance by the MARFORPAC Band Brass Quintet for students and staff at the Indonesia Defense University, June 5, 2015. The performance was the last of five performances on their four-day trip to Jakarta. This was the first time members from the MARFORPAC Band traveled to Indonesia.

Cpl. Mitchem Anderson, a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band Brass Quartet trombone player, performs at the Ambassador's Residence, June 4, 2015. The Brass Quartet performed for U.S. Embassy staff and Indonesian citizens at an Independence Day performance that is being held a month ahead of time due to the upcoming month of Ramadan. This is the first time that the band has played in Indonesia. - Cpl. Mitchem Anderson, a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band Brass Quartet trombone player, performs at the Ambassador's Residence, June 4, 2015. The Brass Quartet performed for U.S. Embassy staff and Indonesian citizens at an Independence Day performance that is being held a month ahead of time due to the upcoming month of Ramadan. This is the first time that the band has played in Indonesia.

State of Hawai'i Governor David Ige, and Sgt. Jonathon McDonald, a motor transport operator with Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific pose, for a photo, May 8, 2015 at the Hawai'i State Capitol Building. McDonald was recognized as the Marine Corps' 2015 Outstanding Community Service Honoree for the State of Hawai'i for volunteering during his free time to work with special needs children. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Erik Estrada) - State of Hawai'i Governor David Ige, and Sgt. Jonathon McDonald, a motor transport operator with Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific pose, for a photo, May 8, 2015 at the Hawai'i State Capitol Building. McDonald was recognized as the Marine Corps' 2015 Outstanding Community Service Honoree for the State of Hawai'i for volunteering during his free time to work with special needs children. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Erik Estrada)

Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, conducts the MARFORPAC band, during the 7th Annual Na Mele o na Keiki (Music for the Children) concert, Nov. 30 at the Hawai’i Theatre Center. The event accepted presents and money for “Toys for Tots”, every dollar and toy that was donated during the concert will go to the less fortunate keiki around the Hawaiian Islands. - Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, conducts the MARFORPAC band, during the 7th Annual Na Mele o na Keiki (Music for the Children) concert, Nov. 30 at the Hawai’i Theatre Center. The event accepted presents and money for “Toys for Tots”, every dollar and toy that was donated during the concert will go to the less fortunate keiki around the Hawaiian Islands.

Col. Jeffrey P. Davis, Chief of Staff of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, presents the MarForPac wreath in honor of the Australian-New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day. This was the 99th Anniversary of the Battle at Gallipoli, where the ANZACs fought valiantly against Turkish defenses, and marks the 42nd year MarForPac has provided all military support for the ceremony. - Col. Jeffrey P. Davis, Chief of Staff of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, presents the MarForPac wreath in honor of the Australian-New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day. This was the 99th Anniversary of the Battle at Gallipoli, where the ANZACs fought valiantly against Turkish defenses, and marks the 42nd year MarForPac has provided all military support for the ceremony.

Lt. Gen. Terry G. Robling, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, presents the trophy for the Marine Corps Band of the Year Award to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael J. Smith, band officer, MarForPac Band, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Mark D. Gleason, bandmaster. The award is given to the best of the 10 field bands in the Marine Corps. - Lt. Gen. Terry G. Robling, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, presents the trophy for the Marine Corps Band of the Year Award to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael J. Smith, band officer, MarForPac Band, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Mark D. Gleason, bandmaster. The award is given to the best of the 10 field bands in the Marine Corps.

Percussionist from the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band performed a crowd-pleasing drum line at the conclusion of this year’s concert at the historic Hawaii Theatre here Dec. 1. The MarForPac Band, along with BAE Systems and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai’i, presented the 6th annual Na Mele o na Keiki (Music for the Children) Holiday Concert - Percussionist from the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band performed a crowd-pleasing drum line at the conclusion of this year’s concert at the historic Hawaii Theatre here Dec. 1. The MarForPac Band, along with BAE Systems and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai’i, presented the 6th annual Na Mele o na Keiki (Music for the Children) Holiday Concert

The USS Arizona Memorial sits atop the USS Arizona here Nov.25, which has rested at the bottom of the harbor since the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Members of the Chaplain Corps visited the memorial to pay tribute to the fallen victims. - The USS Arizona Memorial sits atop the USS Arizona here Nov.25, which has rested at the bottom of the harbor since the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Members of the Chaplain Corps visited the memorial to pay tribute to the fallen victims.

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.