News Stories Archive

A U.S. Marine with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, provides security with his M240B medium machine gun during Crisis Response Exercise II in Kuwait, June 19, 2021. CRX II is a long range assault in which Marines simulate taking over and occupying a forward operations base in a hostile environment. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a crisis response force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region. - A U.S. Marine with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, provides security with his M240B medium machine gun during Crisis Response Exercise II in Kuwait, June 19, 2021. CRX II is a long range assault in which Marines simulate taking over and occupying a forward operations base in a hostile environment. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a crisis response force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region.

An Australian Army soldier sights in on a target with a Blaser Tactical 2 Sniper Rifle during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Mount Bundey Training Area, June 18, 2021. U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy sailors, Australian Army soldiers and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers conducted a live fire range exercising their combined long-range precision marksmanship capabilities on multiple weapons systems. Defense ties between the United States, allies and partner nations are critical to regional security, cooperation and integration of our combined capabilities. - An Australian Army soldier sights in on a target with a Blaser Tactical 2 Sniper Rifle during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Mount Bundey Training Area, June 18, 2021. U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy sailors, Australian Army soldiers and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers conducted a live fire range exercising their combined long-range precision marksmanship capabilities on multiple weapons systems. Defense ties between the United States, allies and partner nations are critical to regional security, cooperation and integration of our combined capabilities.

A Marine Raider prepares to complete a raid during a RAVEN unit readiness exercise in Nashville, Tenn., Apr. 30, 2021. RAVEN is a training exercise held to evaluate all aspects of a Marine Special Operations Company prior to a Marine Forces Special Operations Command deployment. - A Marine Raider prepares to complete a raid during a RAVEN unit readiness exercise in Nashville, Tenn., Apr. 30, 2021. RAVEN is a training exercise held to evaluate all aspects of a Marine Special Operations Company prior to a Marine Forces Special Operations Command deployment.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Walters, a hospital corpsman with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conducts a rifle swim during the water survival advanced course on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, June 17, 2021. WSA is the highest swim qualification Marines and sailors can obtain before moving onto the next echelon of becoming a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival. The week-long course kicks off with a water survival pre screening event, and the remainder of the course consists of numerous endurance swims, life-saving techniques and applications, physical and mental conditioning, and countless swimming drills to ensure students have the confidence to not only maintain themselves but others’ lives while in the water. Walters is a native of Upland, California. - Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Walters, a hospital corpsman with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conducts a rifle swim during the water survival advanced course on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, June 17, 2021. WSA is the highest swim qualification Marines and sailors can obtain before moving onto the next echelon of becoming a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival. The week-long course kicks off with a water survival pre screening event, and the remainder of the course consists of numerous endurance swims, life-saving techniques and applications, physical and mental conditioning, and countless swimming drills to ensure students have the confidence to not only maintain themselves but others’ lives while in the water. Walters is a native of Upland, California.

Anil Phull, Military and Veterans staffer for Senator Krysten Sinema's office, and Capt Lance Hill, 6th Engineer Support Battaliong Inspector-Instructor take time to enjoy a Meal Ready-to-eat with the Marines at Pima County Roadwork in Tucson, AZ., May 27th, 2021. Pima County Roadwork is an Innovative Readiness Training program project that is rebuilding a 2.3 mile stretch of road that acts as a daily road, airfield and bus route. The IRT program pairs the needs of US communities with the training requirements of the military making it mutually beneficial. - Anil Phull, Military and Veterans staffer for Senator Krysten Sinema's office, and Capt Lance Hill, 6th Engineer Support Battaliong Inspector-Instructor take time to enjoy a Meal Ready-to-eat with the Marines at Pima County Roadwork in Tucson, AZ., May 27th, 2021. Pima County Roadwork is an Innovative Readiness Training program project that is rebuilding a 2.3 mile stretch of road that acts as a daily road, airfield and bus route. The IRT program pairs the needs of US communities with the training requirements of the military making it mutually beneficial.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jake Castro, (left), and Sgt. Anthony Negrete, (right), Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians with Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni EOD, conduct a improvised explosive device exercise aboard MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 19, 2021. This particular exercise was designed to allow EOD to utilize a robot in their arsenal, which allows them to engage explosives at a greater distance with no harm to Marines. - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jake Castro, (left), and Sgt. Anthony Negrete, (right), Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians with Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni EOD, conduct a improvised explosive device exercise aboard MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 19, 2021. This particular exercise was designed to allow EOD to utilize a robot in their arsenal, which allows them to engage explosives at a greater distance with no harm to Marines.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Francis Donovan, commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, participates in a dynamic display with 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, 6th Light Armoured Brigade, on Military Camp of Canjuers, France, June 1, 2021. Donovan’s visit to France included engagements with key leaders to strengthen relationships with the French Armed Forces in order to refine interoperability for future cooperation. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Francis Donovan, commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, participates in a dynamic display with 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, 6th Light Armoured Brigade, on Military Camp of Canjuers, France, June 1, 2021. Donovan’s visit to France included engagements with key leaders to strengthen relationships with the French Armed Forces in order to refine interoperability for future cooperation.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kyle Cook, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, prepares for an ambush during Jungle Warfare Exercise in the Northern Training Area on Okinawa, Japan, May 25, 2021. This unscripted force-on-force exercise tested and strengthened the Marines’ ability to operate within distributed jungle and littoral environments, while adapting to a thinking peer-level adversary. 3/3 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, as a part of the Unit Deployment Program. Cook is a native of Arlington, Texas. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kyle Cook, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, prepares for an ambush during Jungle Warfare Exercise in the Northern Training Area on Okinawa, Japan, May 25, 2021. This unscripted force-on-force exercise tested and strengthened the Marines’ ability to operate within distributed jungle and littoral environments, while adapting to a thinking peer-level adversary. 3/3 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, as a part of the Unit Deployment Program. Cook is a native of Arlington, Texas.

U.S. Navy ET2 Paul Saldana, left, electronics technician, and CM2 Adam Long, construction mechanic, both with Naval Beach Unit 7, conduct ramp marshall duties to guide a Landing Craft Air Cushion into port on Naval Base White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, June 1, 2021. Marines from 3d MLG and Sailors from NBU-7 integrated to load and transport personnel and equipment in support of exercise Poseidon’s Watchtower. NBU-7 is an operational, forward deployed unit that directly contributes to the core capabilities of U.S. Maritime Sea Power by facilitating the movement of troops, equipment, vehicles and supplies from amphibious shipping across the beach. 3d MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III MEF’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. Saldana is a native of Miramar, Florida, and Long is a native of Sanford, North Carolina. - U.S. Navy ET2 Paul Saldana, left, electronics technician, and CM2 Adam Long, construction mechanic, both with Naval Beach Unit 7, conduct ramp marshall duties to guide a Landing Craft Air Cushion into port on Naval Base White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, June 1, 2021. Marines from 3d MLG and Sailors from NBU-7 integrated to load and transport personnel and equipment in support of exercise Poseidon’s Watchtower. NBU-7 is an operational, forward deployed unit that directly contributes to the core capabilities of U.S. Maritime Sea Power by facilitating the movement of troops, equipment, vehicles and supplies from amphibious shipping across the beach. 3d MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III MEF’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. Saldana is a native of Miramar, Florida, and Long is a native of Sanford, North Carolina.

U.S. Marines with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, suppress targets on a company battle course on range G-36, Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 23, 2021. Echo Company was the first company to execute the battle course as a night live-fire event. The event is the culmination of their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation, certifying the unit as an apex battalion. - U.S. Marines with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, suppress targets on a company battle course on range G-36, Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 23, 2021. Echo Company was the first company to execute the battle course as a night live-fire event. The event is the culmination of their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation, certifying the unit as an apex battalion.