The Singapore Armed Forces and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit will conduct Valiant Mark 23 (VM23) at Camp Pendleton, California, from 7-21 October.

VM23 is a bilateral exercise between the SAF and United States Marine Corps designed to maintain and strengthen partnerships and enhance overall interoperability. Through these routine exercises we foster a more seamless and collaborative working relationship with our Singapore partners, better preparing us to respond to challenges we may face within the Indo-Pacific region.

“Earlier this year, the 13th MEU was deployed to the western pacific and worked closely with the SAF in Singapore. During Valiant Mark 2023, we will pick up where we left off, continue our bilateral training, and create everlasting personal and professional bonds,” said Col. Stuart Glenn, commanding officer, 13th MEU. “It is an honor to be working with our Singaporean partners again.”

Since the mid-2000s, Valiant Mark has served as an annual command-post staff exercise with field-training events at alternating venues in Singapore and the United States. The training continues to provide unique opportunities for the U.S. Marines to train with their Singaporean counterparts and strengthen the two countries’ long-standing defense partnership.

The exercise will integrate 179 SAF Guardsmen from the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade with U.S. Marine ground forces from 13th MEU command element, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Logistics Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company.

For questions pertaining to VM23, please reach out to the 13th MEU Communication Strategy and Operations Director, Capt Kevin Buss at kevin.buss@usmc.mil.

Imagery from VM23 opening ceremony can be found here: Valiant Mark 23: Opening Ceremony

U.S. Marines with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force present arms during the opening ceremony for Exercise Valiant Mark 2023 at Camp Pendleton, CA, Oct. 7, 2023. Valiant Mark 23 is an annual, bilateral training exercise conducted between the Singapore Armed Forces and I Marine Expeditionary Force, designed to enhance interoperability, improve combined arms and amphibious warfighting skills, and strengthen military-to-military relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Dana Beesley)