U.S. Marine Corps' Mounted Color Guard carries the American Flag and the Marine Corps Standard in the 135th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1, 2024. The Rose Parade is part of an annual celebration, Tournament of Roses, that includes various floats, bands, dancers and equestrian units, and is meant to showcase the beauty of Pasadena, Calif. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kristina Judy) - U.S. Marine Corps' Mounted Color Guard carries the American Flag and the Marine Corps Standard in the 135th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1, 2024. The Rose Parade is part of an annual celebration, Tournament of Roses, that includes various floats, bands, dancers and equestrian units, and is meant to showcase the beauty of Pasadena, Calif. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kristina Judy)

A U.S. Marine with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security for the simulated surface raid bivouac site during Amphibious Squadron, MEU Integration on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 12, 2023. PMINT is the 24th MEU’s first opportunity in the pre-deployment training cycle to fully integrate with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group. During PMINT, the Marines and Sailors are tested across required operational capabilities and projected operating environments through a variety of simulated and live events. - A U.S. Marine with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security for the simulated surface raid bivouac site during Amphibious Squadron, MEU Integration on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 12, 2023. PMINT is the 24th MEU’s first opportunity in the pre-deployment training cycle to fully integrate with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group. During PMINT, the Marines and Sailors are tested across required operational capabilities and projected operating environments through a variety of simulated and live events.

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), board a CH-53E Super Stallion during an amphibious assault as part of Odyssey Encore, Volos, Greece, Jan. 8, 2024. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)’s Marine Air-Ground Task Force sustainment training enhances readiness and operational capabilities as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force and Joint Staff Immediate Response Force. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), 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. Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), board a CH-53E Super Stallion during an amphibious assault as part of Odyssey Encore, Volos, Greece, Jan. 8, 2024. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)’s Marine Air-Ground Task Force sustainment training enhances readiness and operational capabilities as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force and Joint Staff Immediate Response Force. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), 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 Lance Cpl. Orin Chacho provides security during Stand-in Force Exercise 24 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 4, 2023. SIFEX 24 is a division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region. Chacho, a native of Thoreau, New Mexico is a rifleman with 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. 2/7 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Orin Chacho provides security during Stand-in Force Exercise 24 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 4, 2023. SIFEX 24 is a division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region. Chacho, a native of Thoreau, New Mexico is a rifleman with 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. 2/7 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)

U.S. Marines with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, extinguishes simulated aircraft fire at the installation, Dec. 15, 2023. ARFF performs routine training that equips Marines with the necessary skills and knowledge to efficiently respond to emergencies. - U.S. Marines with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, extinguishes simulated aircraft fire at the installation, Dec. 15, 2023. ARFF performs routine training that equips Marines with the necessary skills and knowledge to efficiently respond to emergencies.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Aaliyah Aguallo, an administrative specialist with Installation Personnel Administration Center, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, performs a duck walk during the culminating event of a Martial Arts Instructor Course on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. The MAI course is a three-week course that implements physical training and academic instruction for instructor trainees. The demanding physical intensity prepares trainees to perform Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques through the different elements of war. Coursework evaluations ensure that all newly graduated instructors have more than enough knowledge to carefully supervise and instruct Marines who are looking to make MCMAP belt advancements. Aguallo is native of Chicago, Ill. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas Sheng) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Aaliyah Aguallo, an administrative specialist with Installation Personnel Administration Center, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, performs a duck walk during the culminating event of a Martial Arts Instructor Course on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. The MAI course is a three-week course that implements physical training and academic instruction for instructor trainees. The demanding physical intensity prepares trainees to perform Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques through the different elements of war. Coursework evaluations ensure that all newly graduated instructors have more than enough knowledge to carefully supervise and instruct Marines who are looking to make MCMAP belt advancements. Aguallo is native of Chicago, Ill. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas Sheng)

U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation as part of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 2, 2023. The MCCRE consisted of a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise, high-altitude aerial refueling, aviation delivered ground refueling, and external lift exercises to ensure HMH-361's operational and combat readiness before deployment. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I MEF in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jackson Rush) - U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation as part of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 2, 2023. The MCCRE consisted of a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise, high-altitude aerial refueling, aviation delivered ground refueling, and external lift exercises to ensure HMH-361's operational and combat readiness before deployment. Steel Knight 23.2 is a three-phase exercise designed to train I MEF in the planning, deployment and command and control of a joint force against a peer or near-peer maneuver capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jackson Rush)

U.S. Marines with 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment prepare for an ambush during Stand-in Force Exercise 24 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 5, 2023. SIFEX 24 is a division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region. 2/7 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Scott Aubuchon) - U.S. Marines with 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment prepare for an ambush during Stand-in Force Exercise 24 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 5, 2023. SIFEX 24 is a division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region. 2/7 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)

A U.S. Marine with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 observes the takeoff of an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 during Stand-in Force Exercise 24 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 1, 2023. SIFEX 24 is a division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed airtime environment. - A U.S. Marine with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 observes the takeoff of an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 during Stand-in Force Exercise 24 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 1, 2023. SIFEX 24 is a division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed airtime environment.

Philippine Marines with Marine Battalion Landing Teams 8 and 10 build a wooden shelter at a jungle shelter class during KAMANDAG 7 at Paredes Air Station, Philippines, Nov. 10, 2023. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps led exercise aimed at improving multinational readiness, relationships, and mutual capabilities in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the seventh iteration of this exercise and includes participants from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and observers from the United Kingdom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons) - Philippine Marines with Marine Battalion Landing Teams 8 and 10 build a wooden shelter at a jungle shelter class during KAMANDAG 7 at Paredes Air Station, Philippines, Nov. 10, 2023. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps led exercise aimed at improving multinational readiness, relationships, and mutual capabilities in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the seventh iteration of this exercise and includes participants from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and observers from the United Kingdom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons)

U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, unload from an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, for a simulated embassy reinforcement during a mission rehearsal exercise as part of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 29, 2023. Steel Knight maintains and sharpens I Marine Expeditionary Force as America’s expeditionary force in readiness – organized, trained and equipped to respond to any crisis, anytime, anywhere. This exercise will certify 5th Marines to be forward-postured in Australia as Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, a six-month deployment during which Marines train with Australian allies and facilitate rapid response to crises and contingencies. - U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, unload from an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, for a simulated embassy reinforcement during a mission rehearsal exercise as part of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 29, 2023. Steel Knight maintains and sharpens I Marine Expeditionary Force as America’s expeditionary force in readiness – organized, trained and equipped to respond to any crisis, anytime, anywhere. This exercise will certify 5th Marines to be forward-postured in Australia as Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, a six-month deployment during which Marines train with Australian allies and facilitate rapid response to crises and contingencies.

A collection of toys sit on a table during the Toys for Tots Luncheon and Toy Collection Event hosted by the Quantico Spouses’ Social Club at The Clubs at Quantico on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Nov. 13, 2023. The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. - A collection of toys sit on a table during the Toys for Tots Luncheon and Toy Collection Event hosted by the Quantico Spouses’ Social Club at The Clubs at Quantico on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Nov. 13, 2023. The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Space Force Guardians with Space Systems Command, and Mobile User Objective System Program Office personnel attend a MUOS presentation at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Nov. 16, 2023. Members of Space Systems Command and the MUOS Program Office engaged with 3rd MAW and I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines to understand end-user considerations and see MUOS used at the tactical level. MUOS elevates Marine Corps warfighting capabilities by enhancing long-range, rapid communication and expanding the operational reach of the U.S. Armed Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs) - U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Space Force Guardians with Space Systems Command, and Mobile User Objective System Program Office personnel attend a MUOS presentation at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Nov. 16, 2023. Members of Space Systems Command and the MUOS Program Office engaged with 3rd MAW and I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines to understand end-user considerations and see MUOS used at the tactical level. MUOS elevates Marine Corps warfighting capabilities by enhancing long-range, rapid communication and expanding the operational reach of the U.S. Armed Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Daniel Childs)