A pilot greets his family at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, March 15, 2016. More than 180 Marines and 10 F/A-18D Hornet aircraft have been deployed to the Western Pacific since October 2015 as part of the Unit Deployment Program. The pilot is with VMFA(AW)-224. - A pilot greets his family at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, March 15, 2016. More than 180 Marines and 10 F/A-18D Hornet aircraft have been deployed to the Western Pacific since October 2015 as part of the Unit Deployment Program. The pilot is with VMFA(AW)-224.
7/24/2026 - https://news.usni.org/2026/07/22/amphib-uss-tripoli-wraps-6-month-indo-pacific-middle-east-patrol
7/22/2026 - https://www.military.com/marine-corps-officially-stands-up-drone-integration-group
7/20/2026 - https://www.businessinsider.com/marines-launched-drones-from-a-helicopter-scouting-ships-in-training-2026-7
7/17/2026 - https://news.usni.org/2026/07/14/uss-essex-at-the-center-of-additive-manufacturing-trials-during-rimpac-26
7/15/2026 - https://defence-blog.com/u-s-marines-train-on-new-recon-boat-near-taiwan/