An M1A1 Abrams tank with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, crosses a medium girder bridge constructed by Marines with Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 24, 2015. The bridge is designed to hold up to the weight of a tank, approximately 72 tons, and is an essential component in providing the Marine Expeditionary Forces with increased mobility. - An M1A1 Abrams tank with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, crosses a medium girder bridge constructed by Marines with Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 24, 2015. The bridge is designed to hold up to the weight of a tank, approximately 72 tons, and is an essential component in providing the Marine Expeditionary Forces with increased mobility.

Lance Cpl. Erik Hedrick posts security during a training exercise at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, July 23, 2015. Marines with MWHS-2, Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 and Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 gathered at the airfield for a training exercise to simulate a deployed environment. Hedrick is a special intelligence systems communicator with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2. - Lance Cpl. Erik Hedrick posts security during a training exercise at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, July 23, 2015. Marines with MWHS-2, Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 and Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 gathered at the airfield for a training exercise to simulate a deployed environment. Hedrick is a special intelligence systems communicator with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2.

The Honor Guard stands at ceremonial at ease after an honors ceremony at the Home of the Commandants in Washington, D.C., July 27, 2015. During the ceremony Congressman Robert Wittman from the 1st Congressional District of Virginia, was named an Honorary Marine by Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., commandant of the Marine Corps, for his extensive support of wounded warriors and his contributions to ensuring the readiness and care of active duty Marines and their families. We wanted to recognize Congressman Wittman tonight because of what he’s done for our wounded warriors behind the scenes, said Dunford. It hasn’t been with fanfare, it’s been because of his compassionate leadership. - The Honor Guard stands at ceremonial at ease after an honors ceremony at the Home of the Commandants in Washington, D.C., July 27, 2015. During the ceremony Congressman Robert Wittman from the 1st Congressional District of Virginia, was named an Honorary Marine by Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., commandant of the Marine Corps, for his extensive support of wounded warriors and his contributions to ensuring the readiness and care of active duty Marines and their families. We wanted to recognize Congressman Wittman tonight because of what he’s done for our wounded warriors behind the scenes, said Dunford. It hasn’t been with fanfare, it’s been because of his compassionate leadership.

Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, prepare to load onto a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., July 26. The Marines were inserted into an urban terrain to cordon and search the area for possible threats. - Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, prepare to load onto a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., July 26. The Marines were inserted into an urban terrain to cordon and search the area for possible threats.

Marines with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, discuss the findings of an area search during a field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 22, 2015. The Marines faced various scenarios during the exercise, which included IEDs located in buildings, sports stadiums, and explosives used in hostage situations, each of which prepared the EOD technicians to face threats found on deployments and at home. - Marines with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, discuss the findings of an area search during a field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 22, 2015. The Marines faced various scenarios during the exercise, which included IEDs located in buildings, sports stadiums, and explosives used in hostage situations, each of which prepared the EOD technicians to face threats found on deployments and at home.

News Rollup Default Thumbnail - News Rollup Default Thumbnail

Lance Cpl. Steven Hoggand, a machine gunner and section leader with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, directs his Marines’ fire while suppressing an enemy position during platoon attack drills, July 24, aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Training began for the Marines of Company C with a combined arms fire and maneuver exercise as part of their Integrated Training Exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 16.1 scheduled to depart later this year. - Lance Cpl. Steven Hoggand, a machine gunner and section leader with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, directs his Marines’ fire while suppressing an enemy position during platoon attack drills, July 24, aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Training began for the Marines of Company C with a combined arms fire and maneuver exercise as part of their Integrated Training Exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 16.1 scheduled to depart later this year.

Romanian and Georgian soldiers stand alongside Latvian, Lithuanian and Bulgarian soldiers and U.S. Marines during the Exercise Agile Spirit closing ceremony July 22, 2015, at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia. Exercise Agile Spirit 15 involved a NATO Response Force level combined operation that incorporated a wide range of planning and execution challenges during a command post exercise and a field training exercise. The U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force and 10th Marine Regiment supported the exercise. - Romanian and Georgian soldiers stand alongside Latvian, Lithuanian and Bulgarian soldiers and U.S. Marines during the Exercise Agile Spirit closing ceremony July 22, 2015, at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia. Exercise Agile Spirit 15 involved a NATO Response Force level combined operation that incorporated a wide range of planning and execution challenges during a command post exercise and a field training exercise. The U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force and 10th Marine Regiment supported the exercise.

Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, measure detonation cord and create breaching charges during the urban breaching portion of a demolition package at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 10, 2015. The demolition package was conducted in preparation for an upcoming deployment, where the two units will be working together in support of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response- Africa. - Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, measure detonation cord and create breaching charges during the urban breaching portion of a demolition package at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 10, 2015. The demolition package was conducted in preparation for an upcoming deployment, where the two units will be working together in support of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response- Africa.

ATU.S. Marine Corps AAV-P7/A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicles disembark from the USS Ashland (LSD 48) during splash and recovery training June 10, 2015. The AAV's are with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines with BLT 2/5 and the rest of the 31st MEU are currently deployed on the regularly scheduled Fall Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. - ATU.S. Marine Corps AAV-P7/A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicles disembark from the USS Ashland (LSD 48) during splash and recovery training June 10, 2015. The AAV's are with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines with BLT 2/5 and the rest of the 31st MEU are currently deployed on the regularly scheduled Fall Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region.

News Rollup Default Thumbnail - News Rollup Default Thumbnail

Maj. Gen. Greg Charles Bilton, the deputy commanding general of operations for U.S. Army Pacific, delivers remarks at the closing ceremony of Khaan Quest 2015 at the Five Hills Training Area in Tavantolgoi, Mongolia, July 1, 2015. Khaan Quest is a regularly scheduled, multinational exercise hosted annually by Mongolian Armed Forces and co-sponsored by U.S. Army, Pacific, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. This year marks the 13th iteration of Khaan Quest. - Maj. Gen. Greg Charles Bilton, the deputy commanding general of operations for U.S. Army Pacific, delivers remarks at the closing ceremony of Khaan Quest 2015 at the Five Hills Training Area in Tavantolgoi, Mongolia, July 1, 2015. Khaan Quest is a regularly scheduled, multinational exercise hosted annually by Mongolian Armed Forces and co-sponsored by U.S. Army, Pacific, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. This year marks the 13th iteration of Khaan Quest.

Pilots in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, use Full Mission Simulators as part of their training with F-35s. The F-35 simulators can also be found at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, where Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 trains. The F-35 Full Mission Simulator accurately replicates all sensors and weapons to provide a realistic mission rehearsal and training environment. - Pilots in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, use Full Mission Simulators as part of their training with F-35s. The F-35 simulators can also be found at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, where Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 trains. The F-35 Full Mission Simulator accurately replicates all sensors and weapons to provide a realistic mission rehearsal and training environment.