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.

A Navy corpsman with Combat Logistic Battalion (CLB) 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), inserts an intravenous therapy into a simulated combat casualty during a nightingale exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. - A Navy corpsman inserts an intravenous therapy into a simulated combat casualty during a nightingale exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 29.

A U.S. Marine posts security during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise on Karan Island, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, April 23, 2020. - A U.S. Marine posts security during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise on Karan Island, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, April 23, 2020.

Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japanese Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade service members communicate during a simulated bilateral small-boat raid on Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9. - Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japanese Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade service members communicate during a simulated bilateral small-boat raid on Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9.

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U.S. Marine Cpl. Andrew Gabriel, right, a scout sniper with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, presents Ambassador Douglas A. Silliman, the U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, with a gift during the Corporals Course graduation ceremony in Kuwait on March 25, 2016. The corporals’ leadership program is designed to provide instruction for tasks developed in accordance with Marine Corps Order 1510.90, Individual Training Standards. Corporals Course is a professional military education requirement for all corporals to complete in order to be qualified for promotion. - U.S. Marine Cpl. Andrew Gabriel, right, a scout sniper with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, presents Ambassador Douglas A. Silliman, the U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, with a gift during the Corporals Course graduation ceremony in Kuwait on March 25, 2016. The corporals’ leadership program is designed to provide instruction for tasks developed in accordance with Marine Corps Order 1510.90, Individual Training Standards. Corporals Course is a professional military education requirement for all corporals to complete in order to be qualified for promotion.