Photo Information

A U.S. Marine with 1st Marine Division provides suppressive fire during Marine Air Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise 3-21 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 7, 2021. MWX is the culminating event of the Service Level Training Exercise, challenging the MAGTF to fight against a free thinking adversary with similar capabilities in a force on force environment.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Colton Brownlee

20 OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PHOTOS FROM MAY 2021

1 Jun 2021 | Courtesy Story The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

From Marines in the crashing waves of Japan to those fighting flames in Alaska, these are 20 of the most influential photos from around the Marine Corps during the month of May.

 

Taking Off Photo by Cpl. Ethan LeBlanc
A U.S Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter assigned to Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 prepares to take off during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, May 18, 2021. HMLA-169 conducted the flight operations in order to stay prepared and efficient for any operation in the indo-pacific region.

 

A U.S Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter prepares to take off during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, May 18.

 

 

Against the Tide Photo by Cpl. Sarah Marshall
U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, train in a coxswain course at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, May 27, 2021. Expeditionary Operations Training Group conducted the training and taught Marines maritime navigation, small boat handling, and coxswain techniques. The course allowed Marines to develop their skill set to ensure III Marine Expeditionary Force remains a ready force in the Indo-Pacific.

 

U.S. Marines train in a coxswain course at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, May 27.

 

 

Incoming Ordnance Photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Voss
U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, attach ordnance to an F-35B Lightning II at a Forward Arming and Refueling Point in El Centro, Calif., May 26, 2021. A FARP is a key component of expeditionary advanced base operations as it allows the Marine Corps to refuel, rearm and distribute in a forward environment as the Marine Corps is a force capable of persisting and operating forward as a critical component of a naval campaign.

 

U.S. Marines attach ordnance to an F-35B Lightning II at a Forward Arming and Refueling Point in El Centro, Calif., May 26.

 

 

Fighting Fires Photo by Staff Sgt. Kassie McDole
U.S. Marine Corps expeditionary firefighting and rescue specialists with Marine Wing Support Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, extinguish a vehicle fire during a controlled burn training event at Cold Bay airport, Alaska in support of Northern Edge 2021. U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces’ skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs.

 

U.S. Marines extinguish a vehicle fire during a controlled burn training event at Cold Bay airport, Alaska, May 5.

 

 

Together at Sea Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Marty
U.S, Australian, French, and Japanese naval assets, to include the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta, the French Navy’s amphibious assault helicopter carrier FS Tonnerre, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Ōsumi class tank landing ship JS Ōsumi, transit together during exercise Jeanne D’Arc 21, off the coast of Kagoshima, Japan, May 14, 2021. ARC-21 is an opportunity for U.S., French, Japanese and Australian forces to share experiences, tactics, and best practices to sharpen their skills together.

 

U.S, Australian, French, and Japanese naval assets transit together during exercise Jeanne D’Arc 21, off the coast of Kagoshima, Japan, May 14.

 

 

Ready? Engage! Photo by Lance Cpl. Emma Gray
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Andrew Ritchie, a Macomb, Mich. native, an armorer with School of Infantry-East, utilizes the M3E1 Multi-purpose Anti-armor Anti-personnel Weapon System to engage targets during a live-fire training with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, on Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 6, 2021. 1/2 is tasked as 2nd MARDIV’s experimental infantry battalion to test new gear, operating concepts and force structures. The unit’s findings will help refine infantry battalions across the Marine Corps as we continue to push toward the end state of Force Design 2030.

 

A U.S. Marine utilizes the M3E1 Multi-purpose Anti-armor Anti-personnel Weapon System to engage targets on Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 6.

 

 

Out of This World Photo by Lance Cpl. Samwel Tabancay
Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, fire illumination rounds during a live-fire exercise at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah, on May 15, 2021. This training allows Marines to progress from previous training exercises and continue to prepare for Integrated Training Exercise 4-21.

 

U.S. Marines fire illumination rounds during a live-fire exercise at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah, May 1.

 

 

Eyes in the Sky Photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Bray
A U.S. Marine AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts a flight mission during Marine Air Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 6, 2021. The purpose of MWX is to create a challenging, realistic training environment that puts exercise forces against a thinking opponent in an unscripted, force-on-force wargame that produces combat-ready focus capable of operating as an integrated Marine Air Ground Task Force.

 

A U.S. Marine AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter conducts a flight mission at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Calif., May 6.

 

 

Roll Out Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Andries
Landing Craft Utility 1661 deploys a Utility Tactical Vehicle from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit during CONTEX-PHIBEX, a bilateral amphibious exercise between the U.S. and Portuguese naval services, May 9, 2021. 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is forward deployed in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

 

Landing Craft Utility 1661 deploys a Utility Tactical Vehicle in Portugal, May 9.

 

 

Ready to Lift Photo by Sgt. Jennessa Davey
U.S. Sailors assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Essex signal a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during takeoff from Essex, May 13, 2021. Marines and Sailors of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th MEU are conducting routine training off the coast of southern California.

 

U.S. Sailors signal a UH-1Y Venom during takeoff from Essex, May 13.

 

 

From the Treeline Photo by Cpl. Patrick King
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Lucas Greene and Pfc. Luis Quiterio Reyes, both riflemen with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, observe an objective point during Exercise Raven in Nashville, Tenn., May 29, 2021. Exercise Raven is an integrated training exercise with Marines from 3/2 and Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command simulating real-life tactical scenarios to enhance overall unit interoperability, effectiveness and lethality against an adversarial force

 

U.S. Marines observe an objective point during Exercise Raven in Nashville, Tenn., May 29.

 

 

Incoming Aircraft Photo by Sgt. Micha Pierce
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Benjamin Dampier, left, an air traffic controller, and Cpl. Ty Cochrane, an air support operations operator, both with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, watch an MV-22B Osprey land at Point Fawcett, NT, Australia during exercise Crocodile Response, May 27, 2021. Exercise Crocodile Response tested the ability of MRF-D and the Australian Defence Force to provide disaster relief in the Indo-Pacific region. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines affords a combined training opportunity with Australia and improves cooperation and integration between the two country’s forces.

 

U.S. Marines watch an MV-22B Osprey land at Point Fawcett, Australia, May 27.

 

 

Stronger Together Photo by Lance Cpl. Brienna Tuck
Japanese soldiers with Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Japan Self Defense Force, French Legionnaires and U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force, oversee an amphibious landing rehearsal during exercise Jeanne D’Arc 21 at Camp Ainoura, Sasebo, Japan, May 13, 2021. ARC-21 is an opportunity for U.S., French, Japanese and Australian forces to share experiences, tactics, and best practices to sharpen their skills together.

 

Japanese soldiers, French Legionnaires and U.S. Marines oversee an amphibious landing rehearsal during exercise Jeanne D’Arc 21 at Camp Ainoura, Japan, May 13.

 

 

Crashing Waves Photo by Lance Cpl. Grace Gerlach
U.S. Marines with India Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, take on crashing waves while riding in the front of a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft during an amphibious raid rehearsal at Kin Blue training area, Okinawa, Japan, May 14, 2021. Marines with the 31st MEU conduct raid rehearsals in order to test operational equipment, sustain proficiency in small boat handling fundamentals and refine standard operating procedures. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

U.S. Marines take on crashing waves during an amphibious raid rehearsal at Kin Blue training area, Japan, May 14.

 

 

Landing Zone Photo by Sgt. Micha Pierce
Australian Army soldiers carry their gear off a landing zone during exercise Crocodile Response at Point Fawcett, NT, Australia, May 24, 2021. Exercise Crocodile Response tested the ability of MRF-D and the Australian Defence Force to provide disaster relief in the Indo-Pacific region. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines affords a combined training opportunity with Australia and improves cooperation and integration between the two country’s forces.

 

Australian Army soldiers carry their gear off a landing zone at Point Fawcett, Australia, May 24.

 

 

Ocean Blue Photo by Lance Cpl. Ian Simmons
A U.S. Sailor assigned to amphibious transport dock USS Portland, signals Landing Craft, Air Cushion 72, with Assault Craft Unit 5, to depart the well deck for an amphibious raid exercise, May 17, 2021. Marines and Sailors of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group are conducting integrated training off the coast of southern California.

 

A U.S. Sailor signals Landing Craft, Air Cushion 72, to depart the well deck in the Pacific Ocean, May 17.

 

 

The Kings Game Photo by Sgt. Marvin Lopeznavarro
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Mark G. Geospatial, and Lance Cpl. Lee Zachary, intelligence analysts with Task Force Koa Moana 21, I Marine Expeditionary Force, increase their critical thinking and problem solving abilities by playing a game of chess while on a break during a communications exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 13, 2021. This exercise will increase the capabilities and proficiency of the Marines as they prepare for future deployments.

 

U.S. Marines increase their critical thinking and problem solving abilities by playing a game of chess on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 13.

 

 

Secure the Surroundings Photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph DeMarcus
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Carlos A. Brooks, a mortar man with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit , posts security during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 25, 2021. Marines with the 31st MEU regularly conduct TRAP exercises to maintain proficiency and readiness. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

A U.S. Marine posts security on Camp Hansen, Japan, May 25.

 

 

Guiding Lights Photo by Staff Sgt. Donald Holbert
A U.S. Sailor assigned to amphibious transport dock USS Portland signals a CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 65, 11th MEU, on the ship’s flight deck before takeoff, May 18, 2021. Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU and Essex Amphibious Ready Group are underway conducting integrated training off the coast of southern California.

 

A U.S. Sailor signals a CH-53E Super Stallion before takeoff aboard amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), May 18.

 

 

Suppressing Fire Photo by Lance Cpl. Colton Brownlee
A U.S. Marine with 1st Marine Division provides suppressive fire during Marine Air Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise 3-21 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 7, 2021. MWX is the culminating event of the Service Level Training Exercise, challenging the MAGTF to fight against a free thinking adversary with similar capabilities in a force on force environment.

 

A U.S. Marine provides suppressive fire on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 7.