Pacific Marines

Lance Cpl. Samuel St. Clair, left, and Sgt. Geirrell Grayer perform pullups while participating in the “Murph” Challenge for Memorial Day on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The “Murph” Challenge is a workout made to honor Lt. Michael “Murph” Murphy, a navy SEAL who died in Afghanistan June 28, 2005, at the age of 29. The challenge consists of a one-mile run, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats, and another one-mile run, while wearing a 20 pound vest. St. Clair is a financial management resource analyst with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. Grayer is a distribution management specialist with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Douglas Simons/Released)

160522-N-WI365-193 ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (May 22, 2016) - Members of the Mongolian Armed Forces Honor Guard march in formation at the parade field during the Khan Quest 2016 opening ceremony in Mongolia. Khan Quest 2016 is an annual multinational peacekeeping operations exercise conducted in Mongolia and is the capstone exercise for this year’s Global Peace Operations Initiative program.

Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and Col. Peter S. Gadd, Headquarters and Service Battalion commanding officer, MARFORPAC, attach a Meritorious Unit Commendation streamer to the colors during a battalion formation on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, May 6, 2016. The formation was held to award the Marines of MARFORPAC a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the shooting team the Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael T. Finn trophy for winning the Pacific Division pistol matches, and the MARFORPAC Band the U.S. Marine Corps Band of the Band of the Year trophy.

1st Sgt. Ray McGinnis stands at parade rest with the honor guard during the Australia New Zealand Army Corps Day ceremony held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, April 25, 2016. McGinnis is the company first sergeant of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and led the honor guard throughout the ceremony. The U.S. Marine Corps and Australian Defence Forces share an enduring alliance through the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, which deploys in a rotational manner for six months out of the year in Darwin, Australia.

U.S. Marines with the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific band, perform at the at the Flag Day Ceremony American Samoa Apr. 18, 2016. The band traveled to American Samoa to participate in their annual Flag Day Ceremony.

A U.S. Marines High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fires a rocket during a live fire exercise in support of Balikatan 16 at Crow Valley, Philippines, April 14, 2016. HIMARS conducted a live fire exercise at the conclusion of exercise Balikatan. Through our enduring partnership, the U.S. and Philippines are postured to rapidly deploy in response to real world crises across the military spectrum from natural disasters to conflict throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Philippine Air Force members stand at attention before the Capas Freedom March during Balikatan 16 at Capas, Philippines, April 11, 2016. U.S. and Philippine service members participated in the public event which follows the path in honor of those U.S. and Philippine service members who suffered the Bataan Death March during the Second World War. This year marks the 32nd iteration of Balikatan where U.S. service members continue to work “shoulder-to-shoulder” with members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to increase combined readiness to crises and conflict across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

His Excellency Fidel V. Ramos, former president of the Republic of the Philippines, talks with U.S. Marine Col. J.C. Lewis, commanding officer 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force before the Capas Freedom March during Balikatan 16 at Capas, Philippines, April 11, 2016. U.S. and Philippine service members participated in the 2nd annual Capas Freedom March with the theme "March for a Veteran” where each participant marched to honor a veteran of their choice. Balikatan is an annual Philippine-U.S. military bilateral training exercise that is a signature element of the Philippine-U.S. alliance focused on a variety of missions to include humanitarian assistance maritime law enforcement, and environment protection.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, greets a Philippine marine, member of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF), after executing an amphibious landing to seize a scenario-based objective as part of Exercise Balikatan 2016, in Antique, Philippines, April 11, 2016. The JRRF, compiled of U.S. and Philippine forces, have worked together during the exercise to test their capabilities, maintain a high level of interoperability and to enhance combined combat readiness. Balikatan, which means "shoulder to shoulder" in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

An MV-22 Osprey, tilt rotor aircraft, lands to insert the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF) at the Antique Air Field in order to seize a scenario-based objective as part of Exercise Balikatan 2016, in Antique, Philippines, April 11, 2016. The JRRF, compiled of U.S. and Philippine forces, have worked together during the exercise to test their capabilities, maintain a high level of interoperability and to enhance combined combat readiness. Balikatan, which means "shoulder to shoulder" in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Philippine locals wait in line to see the cockpit of a C-17 Globemaster III from the 15th Wing, Hickam Air force Base, Hawaii during the static display at Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 9, 2016. U.S. military and Armed Forces of the Philippines hosted the event displaying various aircraft from all U.S. services and the Philippine Air Force. This year marks the 32nd iteration of Balikatan where U.S. service members continue to work “shoulder-to-shoulder” with members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to increase combined readiness to crises and conflict across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Bill Fenton guides the members of Fox Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment as they load a M142 High Mobility Rocket Artillery System onto a KC-130J Super Hercules during Balikatan 16 at Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 6, 2016. After loading the HIMARS, the aircraft and crew of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing flew the HIMARS for the first time in the Philippines. Balikatan 16 is an annual bilateral exercise which hones the combined U.S.-Philippine capability to respond to crises and conflict throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Soldiers paint support beams for Matangharon Elementary School, Barangay Matangharon, as part of the 32nd iteration of Exercise Balikatan, April 3, 2016. Matangharon Elementary School, damaged during last year’s typhoon, is one of multiple humanitarian and civic assistance projects that demonstrate our commitment to training, cooperation and interoperability between the Philippines and the U.S. The annual bilateral exercise allows service members from both countries to train and enhance human assistance and disaster relief capabilities in the event of natural disasters or crisis endangerments.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Josiah Sorrels, engineer, assigned to the 673D Expeditionary Engineer Squadron and a Philippine army soldier lay down thermal insulation at Jaena Norte Elementary School in Capiz, Philippines, as part of a humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) project during Exercise Balikatan 2016, April 2, 2016. The construction project is one of multiple HCAs taking place during this year's exercise, designed to improve the quality of life for the local populace and strengthen the bond between our two nations. Balikatan, which means "shoulder to shoulder" in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Don Joaquin Artuz Memorial Elementary School continues impacting the lives of the children and teachers one year after participating in Balikatan 2015 as a humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) site, in Tapaz, Philippines, March 31, 2016. U.S. and Philippine service members revisited the site to do a post assessment of the new two-room school building and other needed restorations as part of the HCA project. The Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military have a longstanding relationship that has contributed to regional security and stability and is deeply rooted in cooperation. Balikatan, which means "shoulder to shoulder" in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

U.S. Marines, New Zealand Soldiers, Republic of Korea Marines and Australian Soldiers conduct an amphibious assault rehearsal, on Doksukri Beach, Republic of Korea, during exercise Ssang Yong 16, March 11, 2016. Ssang Yong is a biennial military exercise focused on strengthening the amphibious landing capabilities of the ROK, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Allison Lotz/Released)

Cpl. Colton Warembourg, 20, a Brighton Colorado native, clears a building during a training exercise with the Rebulic of Korea Marines, March 9, 2016, Pohang, Korea, as part of exercise Ssang Yong 2016. Ssang Yong 16 is a biennial combined amphibious exercise conducted by forward-deployed U.S. forces with the ROK Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army Forces in order to strengthen our interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations - from disaster relief to complex expeditionary operations. Warembourg is part of Weapons Company, 1st battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment (The Lava Dogs). Warembourg graduated from Prairie View high school and was recruited out of Recruiting Sub Station Metro North.

A New Zealand Soldier and Republic of Korea Marines rehearse an amphibious assault, on Doksukri Beach, Republic of Korea, March 11, 2016, for exercise Ssang Yong 16. Ssang Yong is a biennial military exercise focused on strengthening the amphibious landing capabilities of the ROK, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Allison Lotz/Released)

A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook is used to transport Soldiers during a combined arms live fire exercise at Ban Chan Khrem, Thailand, during exercise Cobra Gold, Feb. 19, 2016. Cobra Gold is a multinational training exercise developed to strengthen security and interoperability between the Kingdom of Thailand, the U.S. and other participating nations. (U.S. Marine Corps Combat Camera photo by Lance Cpl. Eryn L. Edelman/Released)

U.S., Royal Thai and Republic of Korea Reconnaissance Marines conduct helocasting during an amphibious capabilities demonstration at Hat Yao beach, Rayong, Thailand, during exercise Cobra Gold 16, Feb. 11, 2016. CG16 increases cooperation, interoperability and collaboration among partner nations in order to achieve effective solutions to common challenges.

U.S. Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with Thai Korean Marines, watch Royal Thai Marine Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Pairog Prasansai, assigned to Recon Battalion, demonstrate how cobras are attracted to heat and motion in jungle survival training during Cobra Gold 2016 on Ban Chan Krem, Thailand, Feb. 13, 2016. CG16 provides a joint, combined task force venue for all participating nations to advance interoperability and increase capacity to conduct combined task force events.

U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Russell A. Sanborn, Commanding General, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing speaks with members of the Royal Thai armed forces during an amphibious capabilities demonstration at Hat Yao beach, Rayong, Thailand, during exercise Cobra Gold 16, Feb. 12, 2016. CG16 a multinational training exercise developed to strengthen security and interoperability between the Kingdom of Thailand, the U.S. and other participating nations.

Children at Kao Chi Chan School, Sattahip District, Thailand, interact with explosive ordnance disposal robots during exercise Cobra Gold, Feb. 14, 2016. Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, includes a specific focus on humanitarian civic action, community engagement and medical activities conducted during the exercise to support the needs and humanitarian interests of civilian populations around the region.

Service members with the Royal Thai Navy, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, and U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, work together to build a multi-purpose room at the Ban Cham Kho School, in Rayong, Thailand, during exercise Cobra Gold, Feb. 15, 2016. Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, includes a specific focus on humanitarian civic action, community engagement, and medical activities conducted during the exercise to support the needs and humanitarian interests of civilian populations around the region.

U.S. Marines from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and Marine Corps Base Hawaii run in the Great Aloha Run in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Feb. 15, 2016. The Great Aloha Run is an annual charity event with more than 30,000 participants and 6,000 military service members. Marines participated in the Sounds of Freedom portion of the race, where they ran in memory of the fallen Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Johnathan Williams, a mortarman, clears a house with Sgt. Jung Ti Hyung an infantry Marine with the Republic of Korea in an integrated training exercise during exercise Ssang Yong in Pohang, South Korea, March 9, 2016. Williams is assigned a member of Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, “The Lava Dogs”, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment while on unit deployment program to Okinawa, Japan. Exercise Ssang Yong 16 is a biennial military exercise focused on strengthening the amphibious landing capabilities of the Republic of Korea, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jessica Cortez with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, practices how to handle a cobra during jungle survival training led by the Royal Thai Reconnaissance Marines during Cobra Gold 16, Sattahip, Thailand, Feb. 8, 2016. Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, is designed to advance regional security and ensure effective responses to regional security crises by bringing together a robust combined task force from partner nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

Service members from the Royal Thai, Republic of Korea, and U.S. Armed Forces participate in an amphibious capabilities demonstration at Hat Yao, Rayong, Thailand, during exercise Cobra Gold, Feb. 12, 2016. Cobra Gold is a multinational training exercise developed to strengthen security and interoperability between the Kingdom of Thailand, the U.S. and other participating nations.