VMFA-251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C, designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Evan Shockley, from Virginia and commanding officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, taxis an F-35C Lightning Il at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Sept. 17, 2024. VMFA-251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C, designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Amelia Kang, a combat graphics specialist assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Portland, Oregon, is promoted to sergeant aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) at Busan Naval Base, South Korea, Sept. 8, 2024. The 15th MEU was in South Korea conducting Exercise Ssang Yong 24 to strengthen the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Amelia Kang, a combat graphics specialist assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Portland, Oregon, is promoted to sergeant aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) at Busan Naval Base, South Korea, Sept. 8, 2024. The 15th MEU was in South Korea conducting Exercise Ssang Yong 24 to strengthen the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Rigby, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, looks out the back of an MV-22B Osprey during the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Rigby, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, looks out the back of an MV-22B Osprey during the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. MRF-D’s participation in the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast demonstrates the United States Marine Corps’ commitment to international partnerships and highlights the close military ties between the United States and Australia, fostering interoperability and cooperation between their armed forces. Rigby is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jorge Rodriguez, a logistics specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and native of Oxnard, California, reads a book to kids in the Pohnpei Public Library after helping unload the boxes of book during exercise Koa Moana 24 at Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, Aug. 1, 2024 - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jorge Rodriguez, a logistics specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and native of Oxnard, California, reads a book to kids in the Pohnpei Public Library after helping unload the boxes of book during exercise Koa Moana 24 at Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, Aug. 1, 2024. During Koa Moana’s deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force work to strengthen alliances and partnerships with development of interoperable capabilities, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hollerud)

Service members from the United States, Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024. - Service members from the United States, Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024. Exercise Predator’s Run 24 is a littoral-focused, multilateral training exercise led by the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade, involving the Australian Defence Force, British Armed Forces, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3’s participation in Exercise Predator’s Run 24 increases interoperability with Allies and partners, highlighting the effectiveness of combined operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

U.S. Marines with Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group, Marine Air- Ground Task Force Training Command and scientists with the Office of Naval Research conduct a proof-of-concept range for the Robotic Goat at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Sept. 9, 2023. The goat can carry different payloads and was testing its ability to acquire and prosecute targets with the M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Justin J. Marty) - U.S. Marines with Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group, Marine Air- Ground Task Force Training Command and scientists with the Office of Naval Research conduct a proof-of-concept range for the Robotic Goat at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Sept. 9, 2023. The goat can carry different payloads and was testing its ability to acquire and prosecute targets with the M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Justin J. Marty)

A U.S. Marine assigned to the Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (26MEU(SOC)), pilots a Skydio Unmanned Aerial System during an amphibious landing for Northern Coast 2023 (NOCO 23) in Ventspils, Latvia, Sept. 12, 2023. NOCO 23 is a German-led multinational exercise that strengthens military and maritime combat readiness through realistic training in order to sharpen interoperability with our Allies and partners. The San Antonio-class amphibious ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26MEU(SOC), under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres) - A U.S. Marine assigned to the Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (26MEU(SOC)), pilots a Skydio Unmanned Aerial System during an amphibious landing for Northern Coast 2023 (NOCO 23) in Ventspils, Latvia, Sept. 12, 2023. NOCO 23 is a German-led multinational exercise that strengthens military and maritime combat readiness through realistic training in order to sharpen interoperability with our Allies and partners. The San Antonio-class amphibious ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26MEU(SOC), under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Marc Mihailovic, a radar technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, stands in front of a UC-12W aircraft at the MCAS Camp Pendleton flight line Aug. 21, 2023. Mihailovic a Sacramento, California native, was awarded the San Diego Military Advisory Council Achievement Award for his outstanding performance while serving as staff non-commissioned officer in charge of Marine Transport Squadron detachment and as a UC-12W Transport Aircrewman Naval Air Training and Operations Procedures Standardization instructor. - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Marc Mihailovic, a radar technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, stands in front of a UC-12W aircraft at the MCAS Camp Pendleton flight line Aug. 21, 2023. Mihailovic a Sacramento, California native, was awarded the San Diego Military Advisory Council Achievement Award for his outstanding performance while serving as staff non-commissioned officer in charge of Marine Transport Squadron detachment and as a UC-12W Transport Aircrewman Naval Air Training and Operations Procedures Standardization instructor.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Caiden Pate, a low altitude air defense gunner with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, is taught the correct application of the Korean Portable Surface-to-Air Missile by Republic of Korea marines with Air Defense Unit, 1st Marine Division, during Korean Marine Exchange Program 23 at ROK Marine Corps Base Pohang, South Korea, Aug. 17, 2023. KMEP is a bilateral exercise series focusing on bolstering ROK and U.S. Marine Corps interoperability as a unified, regional littoral force. This exchange facilitated information and strategy sharing, and familiarization with various weaponry and technologies between the allied nations. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Caiden Pate, a low altitude air defense gunner with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, is taught the correct application of the Korean Portable Surface-to-Air Missile by Republic of Korea marines with Air Defense Unit, 1st Marine Division, during Korean Marine Exchange Program 23 at ROK Marine Corps Base Pohang, South Korea, Aug. 17, 2023. KMEP is a bilateral exercise series focusing on bolstering ROK and U.S. Marine Corps interoperability as a unified, regional littoral force. This exchange facilitated information and strategy sharing, and familiarization with various weaponry and technologies between the allied nations.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason Woodworth, the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, poses for a photo with Philip Nguyen and Thu Ha Anders, volunteers for the Vietnamese culture display table, during a multi-cultural day celebration at the 11 area Marine Corps Exchange Food and Service Plaza Pavilion on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 30, 2023. Diversity Celebration Day was created to celebrate all of the Department of Defense approved observances that are recognized throughout the year. Woodworth is a native of Suffield, Connecticut. - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason Woodworth, the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, poses for a photo with Philip Nguyen and Thu Ha Anders, volunteers for the Vietnamese culture display table, during a multi-cultural day celebration at the 11 area Marine Corps Exchange Food and Service Plaza Pavilion on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 30, 2023. Diversity Celebration Day was created to celebrate all of the Department of Defense approved observances that are recognized throughout the year. Woodworth is a native of Suffield, Connecticut.

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.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, load sandbags onto a truck during Adversary Force Exercise 5-23 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Aug. 9, 2023. AFX 5-23 tested the skills of Marines in seizing and maintaining a combat presence in urban environments by training in offensive and defensive tactics, conducing logistics in a contested environment, and utilizing mechanized infantry. - U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, load sandbags onto a truck during Adversary Force Exercise 5-23 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Aug. 9, 2023. AFX 5-23 tested the skills of Marines in seizing and maintaining a combat presence in urban environments by training in offensive and defensive tactics, conducing logistics in a contested environment, and utilizing mechanized infantry.

U.S. Marines and Civilians with Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group and Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Battalion participate in Cyber Flag 23-2 at an undisclosed location, Aug. 7, 2023. The purpose of the exercise was to enhance readiness and cyber warfare capabilities. Each team was strategically positioned in an offensive or defensive role, engaging with various cyber-attack and defense scenarios. - U.S. Marines and Civilians with Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group and Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Battalion participate in Cyber Flag 23-2 at an undisclosed location, Aug. 7, 2023. The purpose of the exercise was to enhance readiness and cyber warfare capabilities. Each team was strategically positioned in an offensive or defensive role, engaging with various cyber-attack and defense scenarios.