Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Australian Defence Force Soldiers, and Indonesian National Armed Forces, prepare a simulated casualty for treatment as part of a mass casualty exercise during Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AUSINDO 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 20, 2024. - U.S. Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Australian Defence Force Soldiers, and Indonesian National Armed Forces, prepare a simulated casualty for treatment as part of a mass casualty exercise during Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AUSINDO 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 20, 2024. BKA 24, previously named Crocodile Response, is a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise focused on strengthening the cooperation and readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps, TNI, ADF, and other government agencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, participate in a 5K run and walk in support of anti-human trafficking awareness on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons during exercise Koa Moana 24 at Koror, Palau, July 30, 2024. - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, participate in a 5K run and walk in support of anti-human trafficking awareness on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons during exercise Koa Moana 24 at Koror, Palau, July 30, 2024. During Koa Moana’s deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force work to strengthen alliances and partnerships with development of interoperable capabilities, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nello Miele)

U.S. Marine Corps, Australian Army, and Canadian Army service members overlook a detonation area of a demolition site during Operation Render Safe Nauru at Yaren, Nauru, May 30, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps, Australian Army, and Canadian Army service members overlook a detonation area of a demolition site during Operation Render Safe Nauru at Yaren, Nauru, May 30, 2024. Operation Render Safe is an Australian-led operation in Oceania to exchange explosive ordnance tactics, techniques, and procedures and reduce the risk of explosive remnants of war. Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 explosive ordnance disposal technicians participated in Operation Render Safe 24 within the Republic of Nauru to reduce the risk of ERW and strengthen relationships with U.S. Allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

U.S. Marines with Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West, Hawaii Detachment, engage simulated enemy during urban operations training, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, July 11, 2023. The training was conducted as part of the Advanced Infantry Marine Course. AIMC is designed to enhance and test Marines’ skills with a focus on reinforcing proper patrols and operational procedures. - U.S. Marines with Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West, Hawaii Detachment, engage simulated enemy during urban operations training, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, July 11, 2023. The training was conducted as part of the Advanced Infantry Marine Course. AIMC is designed to enhance and test Marines’ skills with a focus on reinforcing proper patrols and operational procedures.

Philippine Marines assigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade and U.S. Marines from across the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, share laughs positioning for a photo following the opening ceremony for Marine Aviation Support Activity 23 at Camp Rodolfo Punsalang, Palawan, Philippines, July 6, 2023. MASA is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination focused on aviation-related capabilities. During MASA 23, Filipino and U.S. Marines conduct approximately twenty different training evolutions, including live-fire, air assaults, and subject matter expert exchanges across aviation, ground, and logistics capabilities. - Philippine Marines assigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade and U.S. Marines from across the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, share laughs positioning for a photo following the opening ceremony for Marine Aviation Support Activity 23 at Camp Rodolfo Punsalang, Palawan, Philippines, July 6, 2023. MASA is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination focused on aviation-related capabilities. During MASA 23, Filipino and U.S. Marines conduct approximately twenty different training evolutions, including live-fire, air assaults, and subject matter expert exchanges across aviation, ground, and logistics capabilities.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Alan Martinezbenegas, a satellite transmissions system operator with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, monitors network status during Exercise Vanguard on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 8, 2023. III MIG functions as the vanguard of III MEF, operating in the Indo-Pacific regions information environment, and supports Marine Air Ground Task Force operations with communications, intelligence, and supporting arms liaison capabilities. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Alan Martinezbenegas, a satellite transmissions system operator with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, monitors network status during Exercise Vanguard on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 8, 2023. III MIG functions as the vanguard of III MEF, operating in the Indo-Pacific regions information environment, and supports Marine Air Ground Task Force operations with communications, intelligence, and supporting arms liaison capabilities.

U.S. Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, salute Maj. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, the commanding general for 1st MARDIV, after being awarded for winning the 2023 Bushmaster Challenge during the division’s morning colors ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 2, 2023. The division holds the ceremony every quarter to recognize Marines and Sailors for outstanding performance. - U.S. Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, salute Maj. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, the commanding general for 1st MARDIV, after being awarded for winning the 2023 Bushmaster Challenge during the division’s morning colors ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 2, 2023. The division holds the ceremony every quarter to recognize Marines and Sailors for outstanding performance.

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.