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U.S. Marine 1st Sgt. Daniel Sandlin, a company first sergeant for Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, grabs Cpl. Victor Obakpe, an engineer equipment mechanic with BLT 3/5, 31st MEU, during a Martial Arts Instructor Course at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 4, 2021. The Martial Arts Instructor Course is designed to teach Marine Corps Martial Arts Program principles and combat conditioning to prepare Marines as MCMAP instructors. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

Photo by Sgt. Danny Gonzalez

Alex LoRusso, one of the two victims of a car collision saved by Sgt. Joseph Howard, a Yonkers, New York native and an infantry mortarman with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, poses for a photo with Howard, at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, Dec. 9, 2022. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant decoration awarded. On Dec 30, 2017, at the time a lance corporal, Howard witnessed a car collision between four vehicles. Victims were trapped in a vehicle that had flipped eight times over a distance of 300 feet. Howard extracted the two unconscious victims from the car that continued to leak fuel. As he moved the second victim to safety, the vehicle was engulfed in flames and exploded. He then reassessed their injuries and provided life-saving first aid until first responders arrived. By his bold initiative and unwavering dedication to duty, Lance Cpl. Howard reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service. LoRusso suffered severe life-threatening injuries but despite the circumstances he was able to recover and is now thriving.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Leslie Alcaraz

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher J. Adams, 4th Marine Division Sergeant Major, congratulates Sgt. Joseph Howard, a Yonkers, New York native and an infantry mortarman with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, for being awarded with a Navy and Marine Corps Medal at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, Dec. 9, 2022. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant decoration awarded. On Dec 30, 2017, at the time a lance corporal, Howard witnessed a car collision between four vehicles. Victims were trapped in a vehicle that had flipped eight times over a distance of 300 feet. Howard extracted the two unconscious victims from the car that continued to leak fuel. As he moved the second victim to safety, the vehicle was engulfed in flames and exploded. He then reassessed their injuries and provided life-saving first aid until first responders arrived. By his bold initiative and unwavering dedication to duty, Lance Cpl. Howard reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Leslie Alcaraz

The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment Caisson Platoon, marines from the “The President’s Own” Marine Band, and marines from the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Sept. 24, 2021. Hoover died on Aug. 26, 2021, as a result of an enemy attack while supporting non-combatant evacuation operations in Kabul, Afghanistan. Twelve other service members from the U.S. Marines Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Army died in the same attack supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Hoover was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Kelly Henson, Hoover’s mother, received the U.S. flag from Hoover’s service. It was presented to Henson by U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Seth Meade, Hoover’s best friend.

Photo by Elizabeth Fraser

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines fire a Mark 19 40 mm grenade machine gun during Fuji Viper 23.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 6, 2022. Exercise Fuji Viper exemplifies a commitment to realistic training that produces lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of decentralized operations across a wide range of missions. 1/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jaylen Davis

A U.S. Marine with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines maneuvers to his objective in support of a high-explosive range during Fuji Viper 23.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 6, 2022. Exercise Fuji Viper exemplifies a commitment to realistic training that produces lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of decentralized operations across a wide range of missions. 1/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jaylen Davis

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jorge Faris, a heavy equipment operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, conducts a class on urban operations during a field exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 7, 2022. MWSS-171 conducted this exercise in order to familiarize themselves with expeditionary advanced base operations, demolition operations, urban operations, and different weapon systems.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Marty

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alonso Guillen and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Spencer Kirkwood, Low Altitude Air Defense gunners with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, use a Stinger Field Handling Trainer to practice tracking targets during exercise Steel Knight 23, on San Clemente Island, California, Dec. 6, 2022. 3rd LAAD provided close-in air defense to artillery positions for 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. Guillen is a Longmont, Colorado, native and Kirkwood is an O’Fallon, Illinois, native.

Photo by Cpl. Joshua Brittenham

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jordan Valdez, a field artillery cannoneer with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, guards a gun position during exercise Steel Knight 23, on San Clemente Island, California, Dec. 6, 2022. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 1st Marine Division and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing an opportunity to refine Division- and Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. Valdez is a Compton, California native.

Photo by Cpl. Joshua Brittenham

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, set security during Continuing Promise 2022 in Jeremie, Haiti, Dec. 17, 2022. The Continuing Promise mission includes providing direct medical care and expeditionary veterinary care, conducting training and subject matter expert exchanges on various medical and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief topics, and leading seminars on Women, Peace, and Security.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Avery Luengo, left, a martial arts instructor trainer with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Alexis Flippo, an imagery analysis specialist with 1st Intelligence Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, conduct weapon-free sparring during a martial arts instructor course physical training session at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 8, 2022. MAI courses certify Marines to instruct and monitor Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training and advance Marines in the program, distinguishing their levels of experience with different colored belts.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Gadiel Zaragoza

U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, run during a martial arts instructor course physical training session at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 8, 2022. MAI courses certify Marines to instruct and monitor Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training and advance Marines in the program, distinguishing their levels of experience with different colored belts.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Gadiel Zaragoza

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, pays for his merchandise purchased from a mobile Post Exchange, or PX, during a Warrior Express Services Team mission in northern Helmand province, July 16-30. Many service members take the opportunity to take some cash out from disbursing to buy a few comfort items from the mobile PX. Operating in combat outposts and forward operating bases, these Marines don't often get these services in their area of operation so they appreciate when a WES Team comes around.

Photo by Cpl. Khoa Pelczar

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve in support of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force UNITAS LXIII, conduct flight operations near the Christ the Redeemer statue at Corcovado Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, during exercise UNITAS LXIII, Sept. 12, 2022. UNITAS is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that brings together forces from 19 countries to include Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Namibia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the United States. The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during littoral and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility.

Photo by Cpl. Jonathan Gonzalez

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, exit a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a Raid Course on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 30, 2022. The Raid was one of several training events part of Marine Air Ground Task Force Interoperability Course, an Expeditionary Operations Training Group led training and evaluation event focused on combining elements of the MAGTF during the initial training phases of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Pre-deployment training program.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Rafael BrambilaPelayo

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. John Wendt, a scout sniper assistant team-leader with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, builds a fire during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training/Marine Exercise Indonesia 2022, Dec. 14. CARAT/MAREX Indonesia is a bilateral exercise between Indonesia and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability. In its 28th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ and marine corps abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Photo by Sgt. Nicolas Atehortua

U.S. Marines with the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a free fall insertion into Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, Dec. 1, 2022. This was one of multiple training events during a Marine Air Ground Task Force Interoperability Course which provided an evaluation from the Expeditionary Operations Training Group in combining elements of a MAGTF during the intermediate training phase of the 26th MEU pre-deployment training program.

Photo by Cpl. Kyle Jia

SUMBERWARU, INDONESIA (Dec. 15, 2022) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan Natividad, an automotive maintenance technician with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, shakes hands with an Indonesian Korps Marinir before an Engineering Civic Assistance Project during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training/ Marine Exercise, Dec. 15, 2022. CARAT/MAREX Indonesia is a bilateral exercise between Indonesia and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability. In its 28th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ and marine corps abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Photo by Sgt. Brendan Custer

A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler aircraft with Electronic Attack Squadron 131 flies in formation for aerial refueling with a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 during Ryukyu Vice 23.1 near Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 15, 2022. Ryukyu Vice is a joint, fixed-wing aviation command and control exercise that provides critical training to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing tactical air control personnel through offensive, defensive and counter-air live-flight scenarios.

Photo by Cpl. Ryan Ulibarri

A heavy equipment operator operates a 624 KR tractor, rubber tire, articulated, multipurpose, also known as a bucket loader, at West Field, Tinian, Aug. 31 during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. Valiant Shield is a biennial exercise which focuses on training that enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces. The mission of the HE operators during Valiant Shield is to clear an old runway, 500 by 7,000 feet, of thick jungle. The heavy equipment operator is with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Photo by Lance Cpl. David Walters