The 317th Airlift Wing led the Spring 2026 C-130 Weapon System Council (WSC) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, coordinating with I Marine Expeditionary Force to further integration of rapid air mobility concepts and strengthen Joint tactical airlift capabilities across the Joint and Total Force, Feb. 4-5, 2026.
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T-minus 3, 2, 1 … We have liftoff! The ground rumbled as the engines roared to life. Smoke and flames erupted out of the bottom as it began to lift into the sky, ascending higher until it was finally out of sight. There are some kids who see a rocket take off and begin to dream of becoming astronauts; there are some kids who make that dream come true.Lt. Col. Katherine Spies graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and later earned a master's degree in design engineering from Harvard University. She was sure that she would become an engineer and maybe a pilot in the future. She made that happen one step at a time, accomplishing every goal she set her mind to.Spies joined the
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The Navy-Marine Corps team has concluded Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training (QUART) 26.2, which took place from Jan. 20-30, 2026. The exercise, led by the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 7, featured the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), which expanded the training's ability to prepare MEUs and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs) for future deployments and operations afloat. Further strengthening international partnerships, Peruvian naval officers were aboard to observe the exercise, fostering shared learning and military cooperation.
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Cold Response 26 is a routine Norwegian-led winter military exercise in northern Norway. U.S. forces are participating as part of U.S. government efforts to support Norwegian and NATO defense concepts and to enable European allies to position NATO for success and effective deterrence. This exercise is part of a regular training schedule designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to operate in challenging conditions. The exercise will bring together over 25,000 personnel from a dozen nations and organizations, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, the United States and NATO to enhance interoperability and prepare for future challenges in
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Sgt. Henry David Volpe, an automotive maintenance technician with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, has successfully developed HANX, the Marine Corps’ first NDAA-compliant, 3D-printed drone platform. Developed at the II MEF Innovation Campus in just 90 days, the HANX drone represents a major leap in tactical manufacturing by providing a low-cost, modular system that is resilient against adversary software. By utilizing 3D printing and off-the-shelf parts that meet rigorous security standards, Sgt. Volpe and his team have moved drone production from external contractors directly into the hands of Marines. This "by Marines, for Marines" innovation aligns with the Department of War’s "Drone Dominance" initiative, offering a versatile tool for
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