Pacific Marines Stories

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing prepares for takeoff at Guam International Airport, Sept. 7, 2024. VMGR-352 stopped in Guam while flying from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to deliver essential personnel, supplies and equipment to 3rd MAW squadrons deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emeline Swyers) - A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing prepares for takeoff at Guam International Airport, Sept. 7, 2024. VMGR-352 stopped in Guam while flying from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to deliver essential personnel, supplies and equipment to 3rd MAW squadrons deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emeline Swyers)

U.S. Marines and Soldiers pose during the Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 25, 2024. Marine Air Support Squadron 3 hosted its first three-week U.S. Army ADAFCO course, with 10 soldiers and four Marines. The ADAFCO course is designed to teach and develop the necessary skills to integrate Army Air and Missile Defense engagement operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez) - U.S. Marines and Soldiers pose during the Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 25, 2024. Marine Air Support Squadron 3 hosted its first three-week U.S. Army ADAFCO course, with 10 soldiers and four Marines. The ADAFCO course is designed to teach and develop the necessary skills to integrate Army Air and Missile Defense engagement operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, taxis during a live ordnance training event at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar combat aircraft loading area, California, July 25, 2024. This was the first time VMFA-311 conducted live ordnance operations independently and a milestone for the squadron, which declared initial operational capability on July 31, 2024. Achieving initial operational capability means that VMFA-311 has the operational F-35C aircraft, trained pilots, maintainers, and support equipment to self-sustain its mission essential tasks. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez) - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, taxis during a live ordnance training event at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar combat aircraft loading area, California, July 25, 2024. This was the first time VMFA-311 conducted live ordnance operations independently and a milestone for the squadron, which declared initial operational capability on July 31, 2024. Achieving initial operational capability means that VMFA-311 has the operational F-35C aircraft, trained pilots, maintainers, and support equipment to self-sustain its mission essential tasks. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

MASA 24: MWSS-371 and Philippine airfield operators conduct FARP operations at Laoag International Airport - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 371, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Philippine Sailors refuel a KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd MAW, during forward arming and refueling point operations at Laoag International Airport, Laoag, Philippines, June 15, 2024. The FARP supported aircraft with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport (VMGR) 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd MAW, and 1st Special Operations Squadron during Marine Aviation Support Activity 24. MASA is an annual Philippine-U.S. military exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nikolas Mascroft)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, brace as a CH-53 Super Stallion approaches for loading during a helicopter support team exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 7, 2023. The HST exercise was conducted to refine key skills for pilots and landing support Marines in sling loading operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force in ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, brace as a CH-53 Super Stallion approaches for loading during a helicopter support team exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 7, 2023. The HST exercise was conducted to refine key skills for pilots and landing support Marines in sling loading operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force in ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Paul I. Padilla, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, demonstrates how to operate the 310 Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle tablet to an attendee of San Clemente High School’s military appreciation day at Thalassa Stadium, San Clemente, California, Sept. 8, 2023. Padilla demonstrated the equipment used by EOD Marines to locate, neutralize, and dispose of hazards with remote control robots and a bomb suit to students and parents of San Clemente High School. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Paul I. Padilla, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, demonstrates how to operate the 310 Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle tablet to an attendee of San Clemente High School’s military appreciation day at Thalassa Stadium, San Clemente, California, Sept. 8, 2023. Padilla demonstrated the equipment used by EOD Marines to locate, neutralize, and dispose of hazards with remote control robots and a bomb suit to students and parents of San Clemente High School. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

Capt. Jason Grimes, a UH-1Z Cobra pilot with Marine Light Attack Squadron (HMLA) 369 and a Hibbing, Minnesota, native, stands with the leadership of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment in Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Grimes completed the Aviator Immersion Program with the assistance of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and 2/5. - Capt. Jason Grimes, a UH-1Z Cobra pilot with Marine Light Attack Squadron (HMLA) 369 and a Hibbing, Minnesota, native, stands with the leadership of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment in Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Grimes completed the Aviator Immersion Program with the assistance of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and 2/5.