U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Caiden Pate, a low altitude air defense gunner with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, is taught the correct application of the Korean Portable Surface-to-Air Missile by Republic of Korea marines with Air Defense Unit, 1st Marine Division, during Korean Marine Exchange Program 23 at ROK Marine Corps Base Pohang, South Korea, Aug. 17, 2023. KMEP is a bilateral exercise series focusing on bolstering ROK and U.S. Marine Corps interoperability as a unified, regional littoral force. This exchange facilitated information and strategy sharing, and familiarization with various weaponry and technologies between the allied nations. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Caiden Pate, a low altitude air defense gunner with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, is taught the correct application of the Korean Portable Surface-to-Air Missile by Republic of Korea marines with Air Defense Unit, 1st Marine Division, during Korean Marine Exchange Program 23 at ROK Marine Corps Base Pohang, South Korea, Aug. 17, 2023. KMEP is a bilateral exercise series focusing on bolstering ROK and U.S. Marine Corps interoperability as a unified, regional littoral force. This exchange facilitated information and strategy sharing, and familiarization with various weaponry and technologies between the allied nations.

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.

Francisco Ocegueda, the American Battle Monuments Commission Deputy Director of Cemetery Operations for the Pacific Region gives remarks during the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal Ceremony at the Guadalcanal American Memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, August 7, 2023. The Battle of Guadalcanal, also known as Operation Watchtower, was a seven-month campaign that marked the first Allied land offensive in the Pacific theater in World War II. - Francisco Ocegueda, the American Battle Monuments Commission Deputy Director of Cemetery Operations for the Pacific Region gives remarks during the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal Ceremony at the Guadalcanal American Memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, August 7, 2023. The Battle of Guadalcanal, also known as Operation Watchtower, was a seven-month campaign that marked the first Allied land offensive in the Pacific theater in World War II.

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is offloaded by U.S. Marines and Filipino citizens during relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Egay, international name Typhoon Doksuri, on Fuga Island, Philippines, Aug. 3, 2023. At the request of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. Marines are providing relief and lifesaving capabilities to remote regions of the Philippines. The forward presence and ready posture of I Marine Expeditionary Force assets in the region facilitated rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating U.S. commitment to Allies and partners. During the three days of relief efforts, VMM-163 delivered approximately 64,000 pounds of food and water, provided by the Government of the Philippines, to remote, affected communities. - A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is offloaded by U.S. Marines and Filipino citizens during relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Egay, international name Typhoon Doksuri, on Fuga Island, Philippines, Aug. 3, 2023. At the request of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. Marines are providing relief and lifesaving capabilities to remote regions of the Philippines. The forward presence and ready posture of I Marine Expeditionary Force assets in the region facilitated rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating U.S. commitment to Allies and partners. During the three days of relief efforts, VMM-163 delivered approximately 64,000 pounds of food and water, provided by the Government of the Philippines, to remote, affected communities.