Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marine Sgt. Reid L. Griffin discusses the purpose of establishing a proper orientation for directing a M101 105-mm Towed Howitzer with Philippine Marine and Army personnel during Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2014 at the Crow Valley Range Complex in Tarlac province, Republic of the Philippines. Bilateral Philippine-U.S. Marine Corps training sustains and reinforces the foundation and framework for a bilateral force to respond rapidly and effectively to regional humanitarian crises. Griffin is an artillery meteorological man with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (Photo by Lance Cpl. David Hersey) - U.S. Marine Sgt. Reid L. Griffin discusses the purpose of establishing a proper orientation for directing a M101 105-mm Towed Howitzer with Philippine Marine and Army personnel during Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2014 at the Crow Valley Range Complex in Tarlac province, Republic of the Philippines. Bilateral Philippine-U.S. Marine Corps training sustains and reinforces the foundation and framework for a bilateral force to respond rapidly and effectively to regional humanitarian crises. Griffin is an artillery meteorological man with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (Photo by Lance Cpl. David Hersey)

An unknown headstone marks the gravesite of a fallen service member at the Clark Veterans Cemetery, Clark, Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines. "Throughout the wars there have been lots of unknown graves filled with bodies of service members that have fallen; however, even though we might not know their names, it is imperative that they are remembered and honored," said Navy Lt. Stephen F. Brown, chaplain for 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force. "That could have been any of us, and as service members we should give the love that we would like to receive if it was us." Brown is in the Philippines conducting Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014. PHIBLEX 14 is an exercise designed to improve Philippine-U.S. interoperability, increase readiness, and enhance the ability for a bilateral force to respond to natural disasters or other regional contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose D. Lujano/ Released) - An unknown headstone marks the gravesite of a fallen service member at the Clark Veterans Cemetery, Clark, Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines. "Throughout the wars there have been lots of unknown graves filled with bodies of service members that have fallen; however, even though we might not know their names, it is imperative that they are remembered and honored," said Navy Lt. Stephen F. Brown, chaplain for 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force. "That could have been any of us, and as service members we should give the love that we would like to receive if it was us." Brown is in the Philippines conducting Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014. PHIBLEX 14 is an exercise designed to improve Philippine-U.S. interoperability, increase readiness, and enhance the ability for a bilateral force to respond to natural disasters or other regional contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose D. Lujano/ Released)

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Sosa finds a vein as he practices intravenous access skills at Clark Air Field, Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines, Sept. 21 as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014. The afternoon of training allowed the corpsmen to refresh their skills as well as prepare for any humanitarian assistance mission that could occur within the Asia-Pacific Region. PHIBLEX 14 is an annual Philippine-U.S. training exercise that enhances stability and security within the region while also preparing both forces for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Sosa is a hospital corpsman with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anne K. Henry/RELEASED) - Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Sosa finds a vein as he practices intravenous access skills at Clark Air Field, Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines, Sept. 21 as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014. The afternoon of training allowed the corpsmen to refresh their skills as well as prepare for any humanitarian assistance mission that could occur within the Asia-Pacific Region. PHIBLEX 14 is an annual Philippine-U.S. training exercise that enhances stability and security within the region while also preparing both forces for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Sosa is a hospital corpsman with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anne K. Henry/RELEASED)

An MV-22B Osprey prepares to take off for a site-survey mission over Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines, Sept. 17 as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014. The mission helped the Marines develop a more thorough understanding of the training areas. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166, part of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element - An MV-22B Osprey prepares to take off for a site-survey mission over Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines, Sept. 17 as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014. The mission helped the Marines develop a more thorough understanding of the training areas. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166, part of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element

Philippine and U.S. Marines present organizational colors during the opening ceremony of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014 at Naval Station Leovigildo, Sept. 18. PHIBLEX 14 is an annual, bilateral training exercise that enhances security and stability within the region while also helping to prepare for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. During the exercise, U.S. Marines, from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3d MEB and III Marine Expeditionary Force, will partner with Philippine Marines. - Philippine and U.S. Marines present organizational colors during the opening ceremony of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014 at Naval Station Leovigildo, Sept. 18. PHIBLEX 14 is an annual, bilateral training exercise that enhances security and stability within the region while also helping to prepare for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. During the exercise, U.S. Marines, from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3d MEB and III Marine Expeditionary Force, will partner with Philippine Marines.

Philippine Air Force Tech. Sgt. Seno Nellas waits as a KC-130 Hercules aircraft arrives Sept. 14 carrying Marines for Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014 at Clark Air Field, Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines. Nellas is the noncommissioned officer in charge of base operations with the 600th Air Base Wing, part of the Philippine Air Force. The arriving Marines are with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade and III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Philippine Air Force Tech. Sgt. Seno Nellas waits as a KC-130 Hercules aircraft arrives Sept. 14 carrying Marines for Amphibious Landing Exercise 2014 at Clark Air Field, Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines. Nellas is the noncommissioned officer in charge of base operations with the 600th Air Base Wing, part of the Philippine Air Force. The arriving Marines are with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade and III Marine Expeditionary Force.