Republic of Korea Marine Corps 1st Lt. Rukhan Lee, an interpreter with ROK Marine Corps Headquarters, center, facilitates a conversation between U.S. Marine Corps Col. Andrew Gourgoumis, current operations officer with III Marine Expeditionary Force, right, and ROK Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jaemyoung Lee, an exercise planning officer with ROK Marine Corps Headquarters, left, in the Landing Force Operations Center aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) in support of Ulchi Freedom Shield 23, August 25, 2023. U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge is in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan. Ulchi Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. Gourgoumis is a native of Boston. - Republic of Korea Marine Corps 1st Lt. Rukhan Lee, an interpreter with ROK Marine Corps Headquarters, center, facilitates a conversation between U.S. Marine Corps Col. Andrew Gourgoumis, current operations officer with III Marine Expeditionary Force, right, and ROK Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jaemyoung Lee, an exercise planning officer with ROK Marine Corps Headquarters, left, in the Landing Force Operations Center aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) in support of Ulchi Freedom Shield 23, August 25, 2023. U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge is in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan. Ulchi Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. Gourgoumis is a native of Boston.

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Tanner Skidgel, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, directs Marines to advance forward during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 3-23 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, April 15, 2023. The purpose of ITX is to create a challenging, realistic, training environment that produces combat-ready forces capable of operating as an integrated Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and to prepare units for their role in the MAGTF Warfighting Exercise. - U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Tanner Skidgel, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, directs Marines to advance forward during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 3-23 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, April 15, 2023. The purpose of ITX is to create a challenging, realistic, training environment that produces combat-ready forces capable of operating as an integrated Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and to prepare units for their role in the MAGTF Warfighting Exercise.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Seth Wilson, rifleman with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, provides cover fire after exiting a Brazilian Amphibious Armored Vehicle for a frontal assault, Aug. 5, 2023, in Formosa, Brazil, during the Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais’ annual Infantry Training Exercise Formosa. Exercise Formosa offers an ideal platform for the armed forces of multiple nations to enhance their interoperability, conduct joint military operations, and exchange invaluable insights on tactics and strategies. With the backdrop of an ever-changing global security landscape, the participation of the United States Marine Corps and militaries from multiple nations shows commitment to regional security and partnership. Wilson is from L'Ance, Michigan. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Seth Wilson, rifleman with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, provides cover fire after exiting a Brazilian Amphibious Armored Vehicle for a frontal assault, Aug. 5, 2023, in Formosa, Brazil, during the Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais’ annual Infantry Training Exercise Formosa. Exercise Formosa offers an ideal platform for the armed forces of multiple nations to enhance their interoperability, conduct joint military operations, and exchange invaluable insights on tactics and strategies. With the backdrop of an ever-changing global security landscape, the participation of the United States Marine Corps and militaries from multiple nations shows commitment to regional security and partnership. Wilson is from L'Ance, Michigan.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Division and III Marine Expeditionary Force loads debris onto a USMC 7-ton truck on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Aug. 7, 2023. Typhoon Khanun moved through Okinawa as a category 4 hurricane equivalent storm, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and high waves, marking one of the strongest storms to affect the island in recent years. Immediately after the storm, crews from across Marine Corps Installation Pacific and III MEF began assessing damage and initiating repair work to ensure the Marines on Okinawa remain operationally ready. - U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Division and III Marine Expeditionary Force loads debris onto a USMC 7-ton truck on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Aug. 7, 2023. Typhoon Khanun moved through Okinawa as a category 4 hurricane equivalent storm, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and high waves, marking one of the strongest storms to affect the island in recent years. Immediately after the storm, crews from across Marine Corps Installation Pacific and III MEF began assessing damage and initiating repair work to ensure the Marines on Okinawa remain operationally ready.

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Freddy Peubla, a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fires a M240B machine gun during a littoral live fire exercise for Marine Aviation Support Activity at Punta Baja, Palawan, Philippines, July 15, 2023. MASA 23 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination in support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense. - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Freddy Peubla, a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fires a M240B machine gun during a littoral live fire exercise for Marine Aviation Support Activity at Punta Baja, Palawan, Philippines, July 15, 2023. MASA 23 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination in support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense.

U.S. Marines with Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West, Hawaii Detachment, engage simulated enemy during urban operations training, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, July 11, 2023. The training was conducted as part of the Advanced Infantry Marine Course. AIMC is designed to enhance and test Marines’ skills with a focus on reinforcing proper patrols and operational procedures. - U.S. Marines with Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West, Hawaii Detachment, engage simulated enemy during urban operations training, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, July 11, 2023. The training was conducted as part of the Advanced Infantry Marine Course. AIMC is designed to enhance and test Marines’ skills with a focus on reinforcing proper patrols and operational procedures.

U.S. Marines Corps 1st Lt. David Powell, an assault amphibian vehicle commander with 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion, 4th Marine Division, guards the perimeter of a UH-1Y Venom landing zone during riverine operations training on the Río Sinú during UNITAS LXIV near Base de Entrenamiento de Infantería de Marina in Coveñas, Colombia, July 14, 2023. Through event-driven scenarios, UNITAS provides unique training opportunities both at sea and ashore in challenging and uncertain environments to conduct joint maritime operations through the execution of surface, air, amphibious and electronic warfare operations that enhance warfighting proficiency and increase interoperability among participating naval and marine forces. - U.S. Marines Corps 1st Lt. David Powell, an assault amphibian vehicle commander with 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion, 4th Marine Division, guards the perimeter of a UH-1Y Venom landing zone during riverine operations training on the Río Sinú during UNITAS LXIV near Base de Entrenamiento de Infantería de Marina in Coveñas, Colombia, July 14, 2023. Through event-driven scenarios, UNITAS provides unique training opportunities both at sea and ashore in challenging and uncertain environments to conduct joint maritime operations through the execution of surface, air, amphibious and electronic warfare operations that enhance warfighting proficiency and increase interoperability among participating naval and marine forces.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Simon Li, a low altitude air defense gunner with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, aims a FIM-92E stinger missile system during a forward arming and refueling point exercise at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Australia, July 4, 2023. Marines with 2nd LAAD provided a defensive posture for the FARP from aerial threats as part of an expeditionary advanced base of operations. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Simon Li, a low altitude air defense gunner with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, aims a FIM-92E stinger missile system during a forward arming and refueling point exercise at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Australia, July 4, 2023. Marines with 2nd LAAD provided a defensive posture for the FARP from aerial threats as part of an expeditionary advanced base of operations. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, unload gear to begin Marine Aviation Support Activity 23 at Puerto Princesa International Airport, Palawan, Philippines, July 12, 2023. MASA 23 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination in support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense. - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, unload gear to begin Marine Aviation Support Activity 23 at Puerto Princesa International Airport, Palawan, Philippines, July 12, 2023. MASA 23 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination in support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense.