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A U.S. Marine with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, refuels an F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311during exercise Steel Knight 25 at Sacramento Mather Airport, California, Dec. 9, 2025. The forward node at Mather enabled aircraft to arm and refuel before launching a simulated Maritime Strike, demonstrating 3rd MAW’s ability to sustain fixed-wing operations from distributed locations. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to respond forward, integrate across domains, and sustain Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian A. Stippey) - A U.S. Marine with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, refuels an F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311during exercise Steel Knight 25 at Sacramento Mather Airport, California, Dec. 9, 2025. The forward node at Mather enabled aircraft to arm and refuel before launching a simulated Maritime Strike, demonstrating 3rd MAW’s ability to sustain fixed-wing operations from distributed locations. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to respond forward, integrate across domains, and sustain Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian A. Stippey)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johnson Truong, an air support operations operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, coordinates fire missions from the Multifunction Air Operations Center in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2023. The MAOC provides expeditionary aviation command and control and air surveillance to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the MAGTF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Johnson Truong, an air support operations operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, coordinates fire missions from the Multifunction Air Operations Center in support of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2023. The MAOC provides expeditionary aviation command and control and air surveillance to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I Marine Expeditionary Force in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer adversary combat force and enhance existing live-fire and maneuver capabilities of the MAGTF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs)

U.S. Marines conduct fast roping during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, Dec. 10. - U.S. Marines conduct fast roping during exercise Forest Light Eastern Army in mainland Japan, Dec. 10.

Lance Cpl. Miguel Salazar, an unmanned aerial vehicle technician with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 4, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, returns an RQ-7 Shadow to the VMU-4 hanger at Camp Wilson, Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, June 22, 2017. VMU-4 provided aerial reconnaissance in support of the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, MARFORRES final battalion exercise of ITX 4-17. - Lance Cpl. Miguel Salazar, an unmanned aerial vehicle technician with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 4, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, returns an RQ-7 Shadow to the VMU-4 hanger at Camp Wilson, Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, June 22, 2017. VMU-4 provided aerial reconnaissance in support of the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, MARFORRES final battalion exercise of ITX 4-17.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Rusty Mongold, a machinist with Engineer Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, cuts a piece of metal using the Computer Numerical Control during exercise Steel Knight at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 8, 2016. Steel Knight 2017 is a 1st Marine Division-led exercise that exposes Marines and Sailors to skill sets necessary to operate as a fully capable Marine air ground task force. Mongold is from Port Arthur, Texas. - U.S. Marine Cpl. Rusty Mongold, a machinist with Engineer Maintenance Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, cuts a piece of metal using the Computer Numerical Control during exercise Steel Knight at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 8, 2016. Steel Knight 2017 is a 1st Marine Division-led exercise that exposes Marines and Sailors to skill sets necessary to operate as a fully capable Marine air ground task force. Mongold is from Port Arthur, Texas.

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Lance Cpl. Travis DeShazo, a rifleman assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, prepares a computer to control a Raven unmanned aerial system to establish the location of notional enemy units aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, California, Dec. 10, 2015. The Marines employed the Raven UAS as part of Steel Knight to gain a better understanding of it and develop a higher proficiency of what it takes to operate as a more effective as the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Travis DeShazo, a rifleman assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, prepares a computer to control a Raven unmanned aerial system to establish the location of notional enemy units aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, California, Dec. 10, 2015. The Marines employed the Raven UAS as part of Steel Knight to gain a better understanding of it and develop a higher proficiency of what it takes to operate as a more effective as the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, performs a conventional take-off at the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field during Exercise Steel Knight 2016 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 11, 2015. This year’s iteration of Exercise Steel Knight works to advance 1st Marine Division’s warfighting capabilities, to include interoperability between the ground and air forces and integration of the F-35B. - An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, performs a conventional take-off at the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field during Exercise Steel Knight 2016 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 11, 2015. This year’s iteration of Exercise Steel Knight works to advance 1st Marine Division’s warfighting capabilities, to include interoperability between the ground and air forces and integration of the F-35B.

A Marine holds security during a route clearance drill as a part of Exercise Steel Knight at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 13, 2015. The Marine is with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. During route clearance Marines use a variety of vehicles to search for improvised explosive devices, mines and other dangerous obstructions. Steel Knight is a 1st Marine Division led exercise, which enables the Marines and sailors to operate in a realistic environment to develop skill sets necessary to maintain a fully capable Marine Air Ground Task Force. - A Marine holds security during a route clearance drill as a part of Exercise Steel Knight at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 13, 2015. The Marine is with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. During route clearance Marines use a variety of vehicles to search for improvised explosive devices, mines and other dangerous obstructions. Steel Knight is a 1st Marine Division led exercise, which enables the Marines and sailors to operate in a realistic environment to develop skill sets necessary to maintain a fully capable Marine Air Ground Task Force.

An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 taxis down the runway after refueling at Red Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. This is the first time that the F-35 conducted close air support missions in support of exercise Steel Knight. - An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 taxis down the runway after refueling at Red Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015. This is the first time that the F-35 conducted close air support missions in support of exercise Steel Knight.

A CH-53E Super Stallion hovers over an M777 Howitzer where Marines with Landing Support Platoon, Truck Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, prepare to attach an M777 Howitzer to a CH-53E Super Stallion as it hovered over the gun during Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., Dec. 9, 2014. The exercise gave the Marines the opportunity to refine and rehearse essential skills needed in a combat environment. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operation and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations. - A CH-53E Super Stallion hovers over an M777 Howitzer where Marines with Landing Support Platoon, Truck Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, prepare to attach an M777 Howitzer to a CH-53E Super Stallion as it hovered over the gun during Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., Dec. 9, 2014. The exercise gave the Marines the opportunity to refine and rehearse essential skills needed in a combat environment. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operation and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Wilson, a hospital corpsman with Truck Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, supported Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Wilson has worked with Navy units and Marine units, caring diligently for service members during field exercises like Steel Knight, back at the barracks of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and while deployed. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operations and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released) - Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Wilson, a hospital corpsman with Truck Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, supported Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Wilson has worked with Navy units and Marine units, caring diligently for service members during field exercises like Steel Knight, back at the barracks of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and while deployed. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operations and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released)

A convoy attached to Truck Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, enters a mock enemy town where Marines acting as enemy soldiers waited to ambush the vehicles during convoy training in support of Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 5, 2014. The exercise gave the Marines the opportunity to refine and rehearse essential combat skills needed in a combat environment. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operations and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released) - A convoy attached to Truck Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, enters a mock enemy town where Marines acting as enemy soldiers waited to ambush the vehicles during convoy training in support of Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 5, 2014. The exercise gave the Marines the opportunity to refine and rehearse essential combat skills needed in a combat environment. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operations and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released)