U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrive at Reno-Stead Airport, Nevada, on a KC-130J Super Hercules attached to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, to conduct a simulated military assisted departure during Realistic Urban Training exercise, Aug. 24, 2023. During the scenario, the 15th MEU conducted a mission to coordinate with a U.S. Consulate until the situation necessitated an evacuation of consulate staff and American citizens from the area. RUT is a land-based predeployment exercise which enhances the integration and collective capability of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force while providing the 15th MEU an opportunity to train and execute operations in an urban environment. - U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrive at Reno-Stead Airport, Nevada, on a KC-130J Super Hercules attached to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, to conduct a simulated military assisted departure during Realistic Urban Training exercise, Aug. 24, 2023. During the scenario, the 15th MEU conducted a mission to coordinate with a U.S. Consulate until the situation necessitated an evacuation of consulate staff and American citizens from the area. RUT is a land-based predeployment exercise which enhances the integration and collective capability of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force while providing the 15th MEU an opportunity to train and execute operations in an urban environment.

A U.S. Marine C-130 with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, June 9, 2023. 3rd Landing Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group is conducting Combined Distribution Exercise 23 in South Korea alongside the Republic of Korea Navy, the ROK Army, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. 3rd LSB is providing fuel, water, ground and air transportation to enable the sustainment and distribution of the CDEX force. - A U.S. Marine C-130 with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, June 9, 2023. 3rd Landing Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group is conducting Combined Distribution Exercise 23 in South Korea alongside the Republic of Korea Navy, the ROK Army, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. 3rd LSB is providing fuel, water, ground and air transportation to enable the sustainment and distribution of the CDEX force.

U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit load into a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) prior to conducting a scenario-driven foreign humanitarian assistance (FHA) during Composite Training Unit Exercise, Atlantic Ocean, May 24, 2023. FHA consists of Department of Defense activities conducted outside of the U.S. and its territories to directly relieve or reduce human suffering, disease, hunger, or privation. FHA is intended to supplement or complement efforts of host nation civil authorities or agencies with the primary responsibility for providing assistance. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit serves as one of the Nation’s premier crisis response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling follow-on forces and special operations. - U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit load into a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) prior to conducting a scenario-driven foreign humanitarian assistance (FHA) during Composite Training Unit Exercise, Atlantic Ocean, May 24, 2023. FHA consists of Department of Defense activities conducted outside of the U.S. and its territories to directly relieve or reduce human suffering, disease, hunger, or privation. FHA is intended to supplement or complement efforts of host nation civil authorities or agencies with the primary responsibility for providing assistance. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit serves as one of the Nation’s premier crisis response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling follow-on forces and special operations.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Randall W. Peck, right, the prospective commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, visit 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st MARDIV, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 9, 2023. The Marines and Sailors of ESG 3 and 1st MARDIV work together on a regular basis, and leaders from both commands met to further develop the Navy-Marine Corps relationship between the two units for future operations. - U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Randall W. Peck, right, the prospective commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, visit 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st MARDIV, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 9, 2023. The Marines and Sailors of ESG 3 and 1st MARDIV work together on a regular basis, and leaders from both commands met to further develop the Navy-Marine Corps relationship between the two units for future operations.

U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit utilize crowd control techniques during a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation as part of Amphibious Ready Group/MEU Exercise at Stone Bay, North Carolina, April 25, 2023. NEOs assist the U.S. Department of State with the evacuation of citizens and approved personnel from a foreign nation to an appropriate safe haven. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is underway with the Bataan ARG conducting ARGMEUEX. - U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit utilize crowd control techniques during a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation as part of Amphibious Ready Group/MEU Exercise at Stone Bay, North Carolina, April 25, 2023. NEOs assist the U.S. Department of State with the evacuation of citizens and approved personnel from a foreign nation to an appropriate safe haven. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is underway with the Bataan ARG conducting ARGMEUEX.

The high-speed transport vessel USNS Guam (T-HST 1) departs Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, March 3, 2023. The USNS Guam will transport the Marines to the Republic of Korea for exercise Freedom Shield 23. Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - The high-speed transport vessel USNS Guam (T-HST 1) departs Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, March 3, 2023. The USNS Guam will transport the Marines to the Republic of Korea for exercise Freedom Shield 23. Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Andrews)

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force conduct a training press conference with Communication Strategy and Operations Marines during Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise-23, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 16, 2023. MEFEX is an exercise that develops command and control capabilities and warfighting functions of the MEF staff as an operational command in preparation for crisis across the spectrum of conflict. In the scenario, MEF staff developed the ability to coordinate with non-governmental organizations, U. S. Agency for International Development, and other agencies in response to a foreign humanitarian crisis. - U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force conduct a training press conference with Communication Strategy and Operations Marines during Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise-23, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 16, 2023. MEFEX is an exercise that develops command and control capabilities and warfighting functions of the MEF staff as an operational command in preparation for crisis across the spectrum of conflict. In the scenario, MEF staff developed the ability to coordinate with non-governmental organizations, U. S. Agency for International Development, and other agencies in response to a foreign humanitarian crisis.

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and soldiers with Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, conduct integrated coordination of an air assault training exercise, on Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, March 9, 2022. The training exercise was conducted to build proficiency in rapidly seizing and defending key terrain. Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. - U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and soldiers with Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, conduct integrated coordination of an air assault training exercise, on Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, March 9, 2022. The training exercise was conducted to build proficiency in rapidly seizing and defending key terrain. Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan.

Col. Victor Pastor, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3/5, 4th Marine Division, discusses force design and establishing a crisis response force Dec. 15, 2021, at Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans. II MEF and MARFORRES are the Marine Corps’ service-retained forces administratively and operationally controlled by the Marine Corps instead of a combatant command, such as most Marines stationed in California and Japan who are aligned to support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The importance of these operational planning teams is to establish the process needed to create an effective service-retained crisis response force to respond to global threats outside of USINDOPACOM area of responsibility. MARFORRES and II MEF are the Marine Corps’ service-retained forces, which means they are administratively and operationally controlled by the Marine Corps. - Col. Victor Pastor, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3/5, 4th Marine Division, discusses force design and establishing a crisis response force Dec. 15, 2021, at Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans. II MEF and MARFORRES are the Marine Corps’ service-retained forces administratively and operationally controlled by the Marine Corps instead of a combatant command, such as most Marines stationed in California and Japan who are aligned to support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The importance of these operational planning teams is to establish the process needed to create an effective service-retained crisis response force to respond to global threats outside of USINDOPACOM area of responsibility. MARFORRES and II MEF are the Marine Corps’ service-retained forces, which means they are administratively and operationally controlled by the Marine Corps.

U.S. Marines conduct training with the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 12. - U.S. Marines conduct training with the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 12.

U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 4 Benjamin Barron, the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense officer with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Cpl. Dominick Bonner, a CBRN defense specialist, and Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Malchow, the CBRN defense operations coordinator, pose for a group photo on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, June 8, 2021. Bonner, a native of Parkville, Maryland, was enjoying breakfast at a restaurant to celebrate his wife’s birthday when he was made aware of a restaurant employee who required medical attention. After entering the kitchen area and locating the man, lying motionless without a pulse, Bonner laid the man on his back and began chest compressions, taking over for a fatigued employee. Bonner continued to provide lifesaving aid for over ten minutes, sustaining the man’s life, until relieved by Japanese paramedics who evacuated the man to a local medical facility. - U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 4 Benjamin Barron, the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense officer with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Cpl. Dominick Bonner, a CBRN defense specialist, and Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Malchow, the CBRN defense operations coordinator, pose for a group photo on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, June 8, 2021. Bonner, a native of Parkville, Maryland, was enjoying breakfast at a restaurant to celebrate his wife’s birthday when he was made aware of a restaurant employee who required medical attention. After entering the kitchen area and locating the man, lying motionless without a pulse, Bonner laid the man on his back and began chest compressions, taking over for a fatigued employee. Bonner continued to provide lifesaving aid for over ten minutes, sustaining the man’s life, until relieved by Japanese paramedics who evacuated the man to a local medical facility.

Col. Vincent Dawson salutes the unit colors during the SPMAGTF-SC closing ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 13. - Col. Vincent Dawson salutes the unit colors during the SPMAGTF-SC closing ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 13.

U.S. Marines board the Spearhead-class USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., Sept. 26. - U.S. Marines board the Spearhead-class USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., Sept. 26.