Guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), patrol coastal ship USS Thunderbolt (PC 12), Coast Guard patrol boat USCGC Monomoy (WPB 1326), and Kuwait Navy patrol boats KNS Istiqlal (P5702) and KNS Al-Garoh (P3725), operate in formation during Eager Defender 21 in the Arabian Gulf, June 8. Eager Defender 21 is the capstone in a series of bilateral exercises between Kuwait and U.S. naval forces, focused on enhancing mutual capabilities and interoperability in maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dean M. Cates) - Guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), patrol coastal ship USS Thunderbolt (PC 12), Coast Guard patrol boat USCGC Monomoy (WPB 1326), and Kuwait Navy patrol boats KNS Istiqlal (P5702) and KNS Al-Garoh (P3725), operate in formation during Eager Defender 21 in the Arabian Gulf, June 8. Eager Defender 21 is the capstone in a series of bilateral exercises between Kuwait and U.S. naval forces, focused on enhancing mutual capabilities and interoperability in maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dean M. Cates)

U.S. Marine Corps F-35s with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepare to take off during a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) exercise that U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174 (MWSS-174), Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, are participating in during Force Design Integration Exercise (FDIE) at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Sept. 27, 2023. A FARP is used to extend the capabilities of rotary or fixed-wing aircraft to allow rearming and refueling without having to fall back to a forward operating base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney) - U.S. Marine Corps F-35s with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepare to take off during a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) exercise that U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174 (MWSS-174), Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, are participating in during Force Design Integration Exercise (FDIE) at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Sept. 27, 2023. A FARP is used to extend the capabilities of rotary or fixed-wing aircraft to allow rearming and refueling without having to fall back to a forward operating base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney)

Sailors and Marines from 20 partner nations attend the official opening ceremony of UNITAS LXIV, at the Colombian Naval Museum, Cartagena, Colombia, July 12, 2023. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 64th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise. Additionally, this year the Colombian Navy will celebrate its bicentennial. The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability amongst the partnered nations and joint forces during littoral and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility. - Sailors and Marines from 20 partner nations attend the official opening ceremony of UNITAS LXIV, at the Colombian Naval Museum, Cartagena, Colombia, July 12, 2023. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 64th iteration of the world’s longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise. Additionally, this year the Colombian Navy will celebrate its bicentennial. The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability amongst the partnered nations and joint forces during littoral and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kyle Kavanagh, Weapons Company, Commanding Officer, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, briefs personnel during a Rehearsal of Concept using a terrain model in preparation for a simulated raid during Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise I at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, Dec. 20, 2022. The raid was the culminating MAGTF mission for the exercise. Through continued training and preparation, the 26th MEU will continue to be the nation’s premier expeditionary force-in readiness and remains ready and able to respond at a moment’s notice. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kyle Kavanagh, Weapons Company, Commanding Officer, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, briefs personnel during a Rehearsal of Concept using a terrain model in preparation for a simulated raid during Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise I at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, Dec. 20, 2022. The raid was the culminating MAGTF mission for the exercise. Through continued training and preparation, the 26th MEU will continue to be the nation’s premier expeditionary force-in readiness and remains ready and able to respond at a moment’s notice.

Pilots and aircrew with the French Army conduct flight deck qualifications during Exercise NARVAL 2022 off the coast of Toulon, France, Nov. 21, 2022. Exercise NARVAL is designed to assess the potential for future battalion or brigade-level amphibious exercises with French amphibious forces. - Pilots and aircrew with the French Army conduct flight deck qualifications during Exercise NARVAL 2022 off the coast of Toulon, France, Nov. 21, 2022. Exercise NARVAL is designed to assess the potential for future battalion or brigade-level amphibious exercises with French amphibious forces.

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, return to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar after a deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, Aug. 9, 2022. The historic deployment marked the first U.S. Marine Corps F-35C squadron deployed aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and further assures 3rd MAW’s commitment to providing fixed wing fighter aircraft for deployment as part of U.S. Navy carrier air wings, deploying regularly across the Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, return to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar after a deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, Aug. 9, 2022. The historic deployment marked the first U.S. Marine Corps F-35C squadron deployed aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and further assures 3rd MAW’s commitment to providing fixed wing fighter aircraft for deployment as part of U.S. Navy carrier air wings, deploying regularly across the Indo-Pacific region.

Attendees of the Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa 2022 pose for a group photo in Dakar, Senegal, July 6, 2022. NILS -A is a multinational, Africa-focused forum, designed to bring together partner nations with marine forces and naval infantries to develop interoperability, crisis response capabilities, and foster relationships which will improve Africa’s maritime domain security. - Attendees of the Naval Infantry Leadership Symposium - Africa 2022 pose for a group photo in Dakar, Senegal, July 6, 2022. NILS -A is a multinational, Africa-focused forum, designed to bring together partner nations with marine forces and naval infantries to develop interoperability, crisis response capabilities, and foster relationships which will improve Africa’s maritime domain security.

Children from Darwin, NT, Australia, watch U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22, march in a parade during the 107th Commemorative Service in honor of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day on April 25, 2022. U.S. Marines with MRF-D 22 participated in Anzac Day ceremonies and celebrations to commemorate the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, and to join in recognition of the sacrifices and service of the ANZAC forces. - Children from Darwin, NT, Australia, watch U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22, march in a parade during the 107th Commemorative Service in honor of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day on April 25, 2022. U.S. Marines with MRF-D 22 participated in Anzac Day ceremonies and celebrations to commemorate the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, and to join in recognition of the sacrifices and service of the ANZAC forces.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Trevor Hancock, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, provides direction to a Marine for an aerial sniper training during an Urban Sniper Course on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, June 15, 2022. The aerial sniper training was led by Marines and military contractors with the Expeditionary Operations Training Group to enhance participating Marines' skills in urban environments through precision fire and engaging simulated targets from an aircraft. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Trevor Hancock, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, provides direction to a Marine for an aerial sniper training during an Urban Sniper Course on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, June 15, 2022. The aerial sniper training was led by Marines and military contractors with the Expeditionary Operations Training Group to enhance participating Marines' skills in urban environments through precision fire and engaging simulated targets from an aircraft.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. David Berger, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Troy Black, interact with Marines from Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22, during a tour in Darwin, NT, Australia, April 14, 2022. Gen. Berger’s visit allowed Australian and American service members to showcase how they enhance interoperability. - U.S. Marine Corps Gen. David Berger, the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Troy Black, interact with Marines from Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22, during a tour in Darwin, NT, Australia, April 14, 2022. Gen. Berger’s visit allowed Australian and American service members to showcase how they enhance interoperability.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. David Noble, company commander, Communications Company, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, gives remarks during an activation ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 24, 2022. The Communications Company will serve as a critical enabler to the future 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, capable of integrating with the Joint Force, and will provide command and control capabilities to Marines distributed across wide areas of the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melanye Martinez) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. David Noble, company commander, Communications Company, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, gives remarks during an activation ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 24, 2022. The Communications Company will serve as a critical enabler to the future 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, capable of integrating with the Joint Force, and will provide command and control capabilities to Marines distributed across wide areas of the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melanye Martinez)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Seth McAnally, an infantry platoon commander, with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, conducts a patrol during Jungle Warfare Exercise 22 in the Northern Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 16th, 2022. JWX 22 is large-scale field training exercise focused on leveraging the integrated capabilities of joint and allied partners to strengthen all-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. 2/7 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division as a part of the Unit Deployment Program. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Seth McAnally, an infantry platoon commander, with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, conducts a patrol during Jungle Warfare Exercise 22 in the Northern Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 16th, 2022. JWX 22 is large-scale field training exercise focused on leveraging the integrated capabilities of joint and allied partners to strengthen all-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. 2/7 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division as a part of the Unit Deployment Program.

Cpl. Jacob Wright, a scout sniper, with Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit captures imagery of key road terrain during a two-day route reconnaissance mission at the Jungle Warfare Training Center in Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12, 2022. Scout snipers play an integral part in the Stand in Force Concept operating as the eyes and ears of the ground force commander, allowing for a more efficient decision making process. 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. - Cpl. Jacob Wright, a scout sniper, with Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit captures imagery of key road terrain during a two-day route reconnaissance mission at the Jungle Warfare Training Center in Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12, 2022. Scout snipers play an integral part in the Stand in Force Concept operating as the eyes and ears of the ground force commander, allowing for a more efficient decision making process. 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.