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Sergeant Mike Stachowski greets Archibald Mosley, May 27, at the Colp Area Veterans Celebration, Dedication and Remembrance Ceremony, in Colp, Illinois. The ceremony honored fallen service members, Mosley and three other African American Marines from Colp, who were among the first black Americans to join Marine Corps during World War II. They became known as the Montford Point Marines. Nearly 20,000 African-Americans joined the Marine Corps in 1942, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a “presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited in the Marine Corps,” according to the Montford Point Marines Association website. They didn’t receive recruit training at San Diego or Parris Island, however, but Camp Montford Point, N.C., a segregated training site for African American Marine recruits. For the next seven years, the camp remained opened until it became desegregated. The four Marines are Sol Griffin, Jr.; James L. Kirby, Early Taylor, Jr. and Archibald Mosley. These Marines, among many other Montford Point Marines across the country, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that can be given to a civilian by Congress, in 2012.

Sergeant Mike Stachowski greets Archibald Mosley, May 27, at the Colp Area Veterans Celebration, Dedication and Remembrance Ceremony, in Colp, Illinois. The ceremony honored fallen service members, Mosley and three other African American Marines from Colp, who were among the first black Americans to join Marine Corps during World War II. They became known as the Montford Point Marines. Nearly 20,000 African-Americans joined the Marine Corps in 1942, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a “presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited in the Marine Corps,” according to the Montford Point Marines Association website. They didn’t receive recruit training at San Diego or Parris Island, however, but Camp Montford Point, N.C., a segregated training site for African American Marine recruits. For the next seven years, the camp remained opened until it became desegregated. The four Marines are Sol Griffin, Jr.; James L. Kirby, Early Taylor, Jr. and Archibald Mosley. These Marines, among many other Montford Point Marines across the country, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that can be given to a civilian by Congress, in 2012.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Bryan Peterson

Sergeant Mike Stachowski greets Archibald Mosley, May 27, at the Colp Area Veterans Celebration, Dedication and Remembrance Ceremony, in Colp, Illinois. The ceremony honored fallen service members, Mosley and three other African American Marines from Colp, who were among the first black Americans to join Marine Corps during World War II. They became known as the Montford Point Marines. Nearly 20,000 African-Americans joined the Marine Corps in 1942, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a “presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited in the Marine Corps,” according to the Montford Point Marines Association website. They didn’t receive recruit training at San Diego or Parris Island, however, but Camp Montford Point, N.C., a segregated training site for African American Marine recruits. For the next seven years, the camp remained opened until it became desegregated. The four Marines are Sol Griffin, Jr.; James L. Kirby, Early Taylor, Jr. and Archibald Mosley. These Marines, among many other Montford Point Marines across the country, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that can be given to a civilian by Congress, in 2012.

Sergeant Mike Stachowski greets Archibald Mosley, May 27, at the Colp Area Veterans Celebration, Dedication and Remembrance Ceremony, in Colp, Illinois. The ceremony honored fallen service members, Mosley and three other African American Marines from Colp, who were among the first black Americans to join Marine Corps during World War II. They became known as the Montford Point Marines. Nearly 20,000 African-Americans joined the Marine Corps in 1942, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a “presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited in the Marine Corps,” according to the Montford Point Marines Association website. They didn’t receive recruit training at San Diego or Parris Island, however, but Camp Montford Point, N.C., a segregated training site for African American Marine recruits. For the next seven years, the camp remained opened until it became desegregated. The four Marines are Sol Griffin, Jr.; James L. Kirby, Early Taylor, Jr. and Archibald Mosley. These Marines, among many other Montford Point Marines across the country, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that can be given to a civilian by Congress, in 2012.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Bryan Peterson

Sergeant Mike Stachowski greets Archibald Mosley, May 27, at the Colp Area Veterans Celebration, Dedication and Remembrance Ceremony, in Colp, Illinois. The ceremony honored fallen service members, Mosley and three other African American Marines from Colp, who were among the first black Americans to join Marine Corps during World War II. They became known as the Montford Point Marines. Nearly 20,000 African-Americans joined the Marine Corps in 1942, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a “presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited in the Marine Corps,” according to the Montford Point Marines Association website. They didn’t receive recruit training at San Diego or Parris Island, however, but Camp Montford Point, N.C., a segregated training site for African American Marine recruits. For the next seven years, the camp remained opened until it became desegregated. The four Marines are Sol Griffin, Jr.; James L. Kirby, Early Taylor, Jr. and Archibald Mosley. These Marines, among many other Montford Point Marines across the country, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that can be given to a civilian by Congress, in 2012.

Sergeant Mike Stachowski greets Archibald Mosley, May 27, at the Colp Area Veterans Celebration, Dedication and Remembrance Ceremony, in Colp, Illinois. The ceremony honored fallen service members, Mosley and three other African American Marines from Colp, who were among the first black Americans to join Marine Corps during World War II. They became known as the Montford Point Marines. Nearly 20,000 African-Americans joined the Marine Corps in 1942, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a “presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited in the Marine Corps,” according to the Montford Point Marines Association website. They didn’t receive recruit training at San Diego or Parris Island, however, but Camp Montford Point, N.C., a segregated training site for African American Marine recruits. For the next seven years, the camp remained opened until it became desegregated. The four Marines are Sol Griffin, Jr.; James L. Kirby, Early Taylor, Jr. and Archibald Mosley. These Marines, among many other Montford Point Marines across the country, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that can be given to a civilian by Congress, in 2012.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Bryan Peterson

A U.S. Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicle with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts an open-water transit prior to embarking the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 14, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

A U.S. Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicle with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts an open-water transit prior to embarking the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 14, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

Photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms

U.S. Marines with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, and U.S. soldiers with 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), offload a Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System from a Maneuver Support Vessel (Light) (MSV(L)) on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 17, 2025.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, and U.S. soldiers with 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), offload a Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System from a Maneuver Support Vessel (Light) (MSV(L)) on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 17, 2025.

Photo by Sgt. Malia Sparks

U.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, fire the FGM-148 Javelin during Resolute Dragon 25 at Hijudai Maneuver Area, Oita Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 15, 2025. Resolute Dragon is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rodney Frye)

U.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, fire the FGM-148 Javelin during Resolute Dragon 25 at Hijudai Maneuver Area, Oita Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 15, 2025. Resolute Dragon is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rodney Frye)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Rodney Frye

U.S. Navy Lt. Rene Pellessier, a Chaplain, administers Catholic Mass to Marine and Sailors with the III Marine Expeditionary Force outside the combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 14, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

U.S. Navy Lt. Rene Pellessier, a Chaplain, administers Catholic Mass to Marine and Sailors with the III Marine Expeditionary Force outside the combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 14, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel

U.S. Marines and Sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force conduct simulated battle drills while working in the III MEF combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel) Photo has been edited for operational security.

U.S. Marines and Sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force conduct simulated battle drills while working in the III MEF combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel) Photo has been edited for operational security.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel

U.S. Marines with the III Marine Expeditionary Force clean their weapons outside the combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

U.S. Marines with the III Marine Expeditionary Force clean their weapons outside the combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel

U.S. Marines and Sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force walk through the tents at the Logistical Support Area outside the combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

U.S. Marines and Sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force walk through the tents at the Logistical Support Area outside the combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Vincent Rivera (center), communications officer, Staff Sgt. Andy Delgado (left), reservist communications chief, and Lance Cpl. Christopher Bravo (right), transmissions system operator, all with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, set up a high frequency radio communication system outside the combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Vincent Rivera (center), communications officer, Staff Sgt. Andy Delgado (left), reservist communications chief, and Lance Cpl. Christopher Bravo (right), transmissions system operator, all with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, set up a high frequency radio communication system outside the combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sean Harris, a food service specialist with III Marine Expeditionary Force, Information Group, takes stock of food supplies at the III MEF combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. Harris is a native of Indiana. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sean Harris, a food service specialist with III Marine Expeditionary Force, Information Group, takes stock of food supplies at the III MEF combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. Harris is a native of Indiana. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel

U.S. Marines and Sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force get some air on the balconies outside their workspaces in the III MEF combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

U.S. Marines and Sailors with III Marine Expeditionary Force get some air on the balconies outside their workspaces in the III MEF combat operations center in Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Heather Born, III Marine Expeditionary Force communication strategy and operations planner, and Master Sgt. Ebony Thomas, detachment communications chief with 7th Communication Battalion, III MEF, walk through the III MEF expeditionary Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Heather Born, III Marine Expeditionary Force communication strategy and operations planner, and Master Sgt. Ebony Thomas, detachment communications chief with 7th Communication Battalion, III MEF, walk through the III MEF expeditionary Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan, Sept. 13, 2025, during the Command Post Exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 25. Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise across Japan, including the southwest islands, that strengthens the command, control and multidomain maneuver capabilities of III MEF and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army personnel, alongside representatives across the U.S. and Japanese Joint Force, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Wetzel

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Steele Armstrong, a satellite transmissions systems operator, and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jaden Coleman, a transmission systems operator, both with Marine
Wing Communications Squadron 18, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing,

set up a radio call during the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition, hosted by

MWCS-38, MACG-38, 3rd MAW, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10,

2025. Thunderstruck is a service-wide competition dedicated to communications Marines,

showcasing the increasing importance of resilient command and control in distributed operations.

The six-mile course integrated high frequency radio, Mobile User Objective System satellite

communications, and data networking tasks under expeditionary conditions, testing the tactical,

technical, and physical proficiency of Marine Corps communicators. Armstrong is a native of

Minnesota, and Coleman is a native of Florida. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Steele Armstrong, a satellite transmissions systems operator, and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jaden Coleman, a transmission systems operator, both with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, set up a radio call during the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition, hosted by MWCS-38, MACG-38, 3rd MAW, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10, 2025. Thunderstruck is a service-wide competition dedicated to communications Marines, showcasing the increasing importance of resilient command and control in distributed operations. The six-mile course integrated high frequency radio, Mobile User Objective System satellite communications, and data networking tasks under expeditionary conditions, testing the tactical, technical, and physical proficiency of Marine Corps communicators. Armstrong is a native of Minnesota, and Coleman is a native of Florida. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)

Photo by Cpl. Renee Gray

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Phillip Martinez, a network transport technician with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, connects to the Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network during the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition, hosted by Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group

38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10, 2025.

Thunderstruck is a service-wide competition dedicated to communications Marines, showcasing

the increasing importance of resilient command and control in distributed operations. The six-

mile course integrated high frequency radio, Mobile User Objective System satellite

communications, and data networking tasks under expeditionary conditions, testing the tactical,

technical, and physical proficiency of Marine Corps communicators. Martinez is a native of New

Hampshire. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Phillip Martinez, a network transport technician with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, connects to the Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network during the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition, hosted by Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10, 2025. Thunderstruck is a service-wide competition dedicated to communications Marines, showcasing the increasing importance of resilient command and control in distributed operations. The six- mile course integrated high frequency radio, Mobile User Objective System satellite communications, and data networking tasks under expeditionary conditions, testing the tactical, technical, and physical proficiency of Marine Corps communicators. Martinez is a native of New Hampshire. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)

Photo by Cpl. Renee Gray

U.S. Marines from Communications Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, pose for a photograph after receiving an award and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for winning first place in the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition, hosted by Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10, 2025.

U.S. Marines from Communications Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, pose for a photograph after receiving an award and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for winning first place in the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition, hosted by Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10, 2025.

Photo by Cpl. Renee Gray

U.S. Marines with 8th Communication Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, arrive at Check Point 2 during the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition, hosted by Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group

38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10, 2025.

Thunderstruck is a service-wide competition dedicated to communications Marines, showcasing

the increasing importance of resilient command and control in distributed operations. The six-

mile course integrated high frequency radio, Mobile User Objective System satellite

communications, and data networking tasks under expeditionary conditions, testing the tactical,

technical, and physical proficiency of Marine Corps communicators. (U.S. Marine Corps photo

by Cpl. Renee Gray)

U.S. Marines with 8th Communication Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, arrive at Check Point 2 during the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition, hosted by Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10, 2025. Thunderstruck is a service-wide competition dedicated to communications Marines, showcasing the increasing importance of resilient command and control in distributed operations. The six- mile course integrated high frequency radio, Mobile User Objective System satellite communications, and data networking tasks under expeditionary conditions, testing the tactical, technical, and physical proficiency of Marine Corps communicators. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)

Photo by Cpl. Renee Gray

U.S. Marines from across the Marine Corps’ communications field take off at the start of the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition hosted by Marine Wing Communications

Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air

Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10, 2025. Thunderstruck is a service-wide competition

dedicated to communications Marines, showcasing the increasing importance of resilient

command and control in distributed operations. The six-mile course integrated high frequency

radio, Mobile User Objective System satellite communications, and data networking tasks under

expeditionary conditions, testing the tactical, technical, and physical proficiency of Marine Corps

communicators. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)

U.S. Marines from across the Marine Corps’ communications field take off at the start of the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition hosted by Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10, 2025. Thunderstruck is a service-wide competition dedicated to communications Marines, showcasing the increasing importance of resilient command and control in distributed operations. The six-mile course integrated high frequency radio, Mobile User Objective System satellite communications, and data networking tasks under expeditionary conditions, testing the tactical, technical, and physical proficiency of Marine Corps communicators. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)

Photo by Cpl. Renee Gray

Recruits with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, hold security during the Crucible aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Aug. 4, 2025. The Crucible is the culmination of the knowledge and skills recruits learn throughout recruit training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Claudell)

Recruits with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, hold security during the Crucible aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Aug. 4, 2025. The Crucible is the culmination of the knowledge and skills recruits learn throughout recruit training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Claudell)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Claudell