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Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in combat knife sparring during martial arts training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 2, 2018. The sparring exercise allows the Marines to work on close quarters combat knife techniques.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Robert Brown

Cpl. Matthew Teutsch, on the left, and Cpl. Brett Norman, both combat videographers with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in hand-to-hand and close quarters combat during martial arts training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 2, 2018. The Marines worked on offensive and defensive techniques utilizing different weapons systems focusing on the motto of the Martial Arts Program: “One Mind, Any Weapon.”

Photo by Sgt. Donald Holbert

U.S. Marines with Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course 1-19, use an MV-22 Osprey aircraft for a combat assault transport of troops and equipment during Assault Support Tactics 4 at Forward Operating Base Laguna, U.S. Army Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., Oct. 9, 2018. WTI, a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1, emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine air-ground task force. This year, Marines and Sailors with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Central Command 19.1 served as the command element for WTI.

Photo by Sgt. Justin Huffty

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade and Marines, attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, stand by in the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland after completing humanitarian training and disaster relief training as part of an exercise for KAMANDAG 2. KAMANDAG 2 is a military training exercise led by Philippines between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military, along with participants from the Japan Self-Defense Force featuring military-to-military exchanges through various training events, capabilities development training, and humanitarian and civic assistance projects. KAMANDAG is an acronym for the Filipino phrase “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat,” which translates to “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea,” highlighting the partnership between the Philippine and United States Militaries.

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Mortensen

U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines conduct an amphibious landing during KAMANDAG 2 in Naval Education Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2018. KAMANDAG helps maintain a high level of readiness and enhances bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities.

Photo by Lance Cpl. christine phelps

U.S. Marine Cpl. John Leos, a water support technician with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires his M16 rifle aboard the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore during a regularly scheduled deployment of Essex Amphibious Ready Group and 13th MEU. The Essex ARG/MEU team is a strong, flexible, responsive, and consistent force capable of maneuver warfare across all domains; it is equipped and scalable to respond to any crisis from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to contingency operations.

Photo by Cpl. Danny Gonzalez

U.S. Marines assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, conduct an amphibious raid during KAMANDAG 2 on Philippine Marine Corps base Gregorio Lim, Philippines, Oct. 8, 2018. KAMANDAG 2 is a routine training exercise that helps maintain a high level of readiness and enhances bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities.

Photo by Courtesy Photo

Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, receive the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor after completing the Crucible on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Sept. 22, 2018. The Crucible is a 54 hour culminating event that requires recruits to work as a team and overcome challenges in order to earn the title United States Marine.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Yamil Casarreal

U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, look for debris on the flight deck before flight operations aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex, Sept. 22, 2018. The Essex is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 13th MEU, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

Photo by Cpl. Francisco Diaz

Marines assigned to the artillery detachment of Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare projectiles for the next fire mission during Theater Amphibious Combat Rehearsal 18. Led by Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, TACR integrates U.S. Navy and Marine Corps assets to practice and rehearse a range of critical combat-related capabilities available to U.S. Central Command, both afloat and ashore, to promote stability and security in the region. U.S. 5th Fleet and coalition assets are participating in numerous simultaneous exercises as part of the greater Theater Counter Mine and Maritime Security Exercise to ensure maritime stability and security in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

Photo by Cpl. Austin Mealy

Marines assigned to the artillery detachment of Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an M777 155-mm Howitzer during Theater Amphibious Combat Rehearsal 18. Led by Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, TACR integrates U.S. Navy and Marine Corps assets to practice and rehearse a range of critical combat-related capabilities available to U.S. Central Command, both afloat and ashore, to promote stability and security in the region. U.S. 5th Fleet and coalition assets are participating in numerous simultaneous exercises as part of the greater Theater Counter Mine and Maritime Security Exercise to ensure maritime stability and security in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

Photo by Cpl. Austin Mealy

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 3 and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 team up during a helicopter support team exercise at Landing Zone Westfield, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 20, 2018. The HST exercise provides training to landing support specialists with CLB-3 and VMM-363 pilots more proficient in the insertion and extraction of objects in restrictive terrain.

Photo by Sgt. Zachary Orr

Lance Cpl. Michael Ziegenhals, a rifleman with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, provides security during a village clearing drill part of a company level exercise at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows (MCTAB), Sept. 18, 2018. The company inserted into MCTAB with CH-53E Super Stallions to establish a secure landing zone, patrol over roads and through jungle terrain, and to clear simulated villages of hostiles.

Photo by Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres

1st Lt. Samantha Rosales, a logistics planner with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M1911 .45-caliber pistol during marksmanship training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) while underway in the East China Sea, Sep. 21, 2018. Rosales, a native of San Clemente, California, graduated San Clemente High School June 2011; she commissioned June 2016. The Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon Marines carry a variety of tactical weapons, including the M1911, and specialize in close-quarters battle tactics during amphibious operations. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall

DJIBOUTI (Sept. 15, 2018) Marines assigned to red platoon of the Light Armored Reconnaissance Company of Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, set up security boundaries outside of their vehicle during Theater Amphibious Combat Rehearsal (TACR) 18. Led by Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, TACR integrates U.S. Navy and Marine Corps assets to practice and rehearse a range of critical combat-related capabilities available to U.S. Central Command, both afloat and ashore, to promote stability and security in the region. U.S. 5th Fleet and coalition assets are participating in numerous simultaneous exercises as part of the greater Theater Counter Mine and Maritime Security Exercise to ensure maritime stability and security in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Victoria Decker/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Victoria Decker

DJIBOUTI (Sept. 17, 2018) Lance Cpl. Quenton Timmerman, an assault Marine assigned to Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, throws a hook during an obstacle clearing drill during Theater Amphibious Combat Rehearsal (TACR) 18. Led by Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, TACR integrates U.S. Navy and Marine Corps assets to practice and rehearse a range of critical combat-related capabilities available to U.S. Central Command, both afloat and ashore, to promote stability and security in the region. U.S. 5th Fleet and coalition assets are participating in numerous simultaneous exercises as part of the greater Theater Counter Mine and Maritime Security Exercise to ensure maritime stability and security in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Danny Gonzalez/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Danny Gonzalez

U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA – Marines with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, carry a simulated casualty of a chemical agent attack to the decontamination front line on Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 14, 2018. One of the first things the Marines must do is move the casualties from the area of the attack because of lingering agents or the possibility of another attack. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam Dublinske)

Photo by Cpl. Adam Dublinske

U.S. Navy sailors repel from a MH-60S Knighthawk with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 aboard the SS Curtiss during a helicopter boarding search and seizures simulation Sept. 18, 2018, during Valiant Shield. Valiant Shield is a biennial, U.S.-only field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces in relation to current operational plans. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, location, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kenny Nunez)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Kenny Nunez Bigay

U.S. Marine Capt. David Christie records target grids as part of exercise Joint Assault Signals Company Black, Waiouru Military Camp, New Zealand, Sept. 12, 2018. Christie, a native of Annandale, Va., is the Fire Power Control Team lead with 1st Brigade, 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group.

Photo by Sgt. Jordan Gilbert

A U.S. Marine with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response-Central Command, fires a FGM-148 Javelin, a shoulder-fired anti-tank missile, at his target during a live-fire demonstration near At-Tanf Garrison, Syria, Sept. 7, 2018. SPMAGTF-CR-CC Marines supported Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting live fire demonstrations showcasing the unit’s crisis response capabilities.

Photo by Cpl. Carlos Lopez