Stories

Family members of veterans from 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, look at the Camp Horno memorial crosses as part of a reunion hike for the 20th anniversary of Operation Vigilant Resolve, also known as the first Battle of Fallujah, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 29, 2024. The hike brought together approximately 150 veteran and active-duty Marines and Sailors who served with 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, during Operation Vigilant Resolve in 2004. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa) - Family members of veterans from 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, look at the Camp Horno memorial crosses as part of a reunion hike for the 20th anniversary of Operation Vigilant Resolve, also known as the first Battle of Fallujah, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 29, 2024. The hike brought together approximately 150 veteran and active-duty Marines and Sailors who served with 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, during Operation Vigilant Resolve in 2004. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Todd Sturgill, the company commander for Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, speaks to Marines about building a combined command post in preparation for Freedom Shield 24 in Pohang, South Korea, Feb. 25, 2024. FS 24 is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance the combined defense posture, and further strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. Sturgill is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda R. Taylor) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Todd Sturgill, the company commander for Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, speaks to Marines about building a combined command post in preparation for Freedom Shield 24 in Pohang, South Korea, Feb. 25, 2024. FS 24 is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance the combined defense posture, and further strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. Sturgill is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda R. Taylor)

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 and San Diego Legion rugby team pose for a group photo after a rugby clinic at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 23, 2024. SD Legion was brought in to teach MRF-D 24.3 Marines about rugby, a sport that builds comradery and teamwork. Founded in 2017, the SD Legion is a San Diego based rugby union team with players from all over the world. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Torres) - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 and San Diego Legion rugby team pose for a group photo after a rugby clinic at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 23, 2024. SD Legion was brought in to teach MRF-D 24.3 Marines about rugby, a sport that builds comradery and teamwork. Founded in 2017, the SD Legion is a San Diego based rugby union team with players from all over the world. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Torres)

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 performs preflight inspections on an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 30, 2024. Nicknamed the “Red Devils,” VMFA-232 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Guam as a part of their Aviation Training Relocation Program deployment to train multilaterally with allies and partners, and enhance the squadron’s combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz) - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 performs preflight inspections on an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 30, 2024. Nicknamed the “Red Devils,” VMFA-232 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Guam as a part of their Aviation Training Relocation Program deployment to train multilaterally with allies and partners, and enhance the squadron’s combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

U.S. Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, conduct a patrol during a communications field exercise, Rapid Tanto, at Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 6, 2024. The patrol allowed Marines to conduct communication training including 9-line casualty evacuation with field radios. 5th ANGLICO and 3rd Intelligence Battalion demonstrated proficiency in planning, coordination, and execution of dynamic targeting capable of supporting maritime campaigns in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Wallace) - U.S. Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, conduct a patrol during a communications field exercise, Rapid Tanto, at Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 6, 2024. The patrol allowed Marines to conduct communication training including 9-line casualty evacuation with field radios. 5th ANGLICO and 3rd Intelligence Battalion demonstrated proficiency in planning, coordination, and execution of dynamic targeting capable of supporting maritime campaigns in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Wallace)

Five battlefield crosses are displayed in honor of five Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a memorial ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Feb. 16, 2024. More than 550 Marines, family and friends gathered to pay tribute to the five Marines who lost their lives as the result of a CH-53E mishap on Feb. 6, 2024, in Pine Valley, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Antonio De La Fuente) - Five battlefield crosses are displayed in honor of five Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a memorial ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Feb. 16, 2024. More than 550 Marines, family and friends gathered to pay tribute to the five Marines who lost their lives as the result of a CH-53E mishap on Feb. 6, 2024, in Pine Valley, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Antonio De La Fuente)

Pacific Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Philippine Marines pose for a group photo after staff talks on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Feb. 15, 2024. These annual meetings promote military interoperability, strengthen relationships, and expand military capabilities among participating forces in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Benfield) - Pacific Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Philippine Marines pose for a group photo after staff talks on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Feb. 15, 2024. These annual meetings promote military interoperability, strengthen relationships, and expand military capabilities among participating forces in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Benfield)

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Philippine Air Force service members offload Department of Social Welfare and Development family food packs from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Davao International Airport, Davao City, Philippines, Feb. 12, 2024. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force are supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development in providing foreign humanitarian assistance to the ongoing disaster relief mission in Mindanao. The forward presence and ready posture of III MEF assets in the region facilitated rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Savannah Mesimer) - U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Philippine Air Force service members offload Department of Social Welfare and Development family food packs from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Davao International Airport, Davao City, Philippines, Feb. 12, 2024. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force are supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development in providing foreign humanitarian assistance to the ongoing disaster relief mission in Mindanao. The forward presence and ready posture of III MEF assets in the region facilitated rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Savannah Mesimer)

U.S. Marines and Sailors deliver presents during the holiday season to local children at Taguchi Nursery in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 15, 2023. The Marines and Sailors of 2d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment dedicated 770 hours to community service during their six-month deployment in Okinawa. The battalion contributed to the local community by cleaning up trash on local beaches, provided English lessons at local schools and sponsored a foster home during the holiday season. 2/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. (Courtesy Photo) - U.S. Marines and Sailors deliver presents during the holiday season to local children at Taguchi Nursery in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 15, 2023. The Marines and Sailors of 2d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment dedicated 770 hours to community service during their six-month deployment in Okinawa. The battalion contributed to the local community by cleaning up trash on local beaches, provided English lessons at local schools and sponsored a foster home during the holiday season. 2/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. (Courtesy Photo)