News Stories Archive

Petty Officer 3rd Class Janneh Felix conducts classroom training on outboard engines with members of the Beninese Navy in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 18, 2014. Felix, a New York, N.Y., native, is part of a team of Marines and Coast Guardsmen from SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa, working alongside the Beninese Navy, trading knowledge of mechanical tactics, techniques and procedural skills while conducting engine maintenance on Honda BF225 outboard engines. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Janneh Felix conducts classroom training on outboard engines with members of the Beninese Navy in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 18, 2014. Felix, a New York, N.Y., native, is part of a team of Marines and Coast Guardsmen from SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa, working alongside the Beninese Navy, trading knowledge of mechanical tactics, techniques and procedural skills while conducting engine maintenance on Honda BF225 outboard engines.

Minister of Defense Valerin Troenco shakes hands with Lt. Col. Joel Schmidt, the commanding officer of Black Sea Rotational Force 14, during the closing ceremony of the Anti-Armor Workshop between U.S. Marines and Moldovan soldiers in Balti, Moldova, Dec. 12. The Marines and Moldovans built a mutual understanding of firing procedures and characteristics on advanced anti-armor weapons systems, including: Moldova’s Rocket Propelled Grenade system and 70mm Recoiless Rifle (SPG), and America’s FGM-148 Javelin man-portable anti-tank missile, AT-4 Anti-Tank Weapon, and the Shoulder-launched Multipupose Assault Weapon, Dec. 8-12. - Minister of Defense Valerin Troenco shakes hands with Lt. Col. Joel Schmidt, the commanding officer of Black Sea Rotational Force 14, during the closing ceremony of the Anti-Armor Workshop between U.S. Marines and Moldovan soldiers in Balti, Moldova, Dec. 12. The Marines and Moldovans built a mutual understanding of firing procedures and characteristics on advanced anti-armor weapons systems, including: Moldova’s Rocket Propelled Grenade system and 70mm Recoiless Rifle (SPG), and America’s FGM-148 Javelin man-portable anti-tank missile, AT-4 Anti-Tank Weapon, and the Shoulder-launched Multipupose Assault Weapon, Dec. 8-12.

A service member with the Togolese Armed Forces conducts a personnel search on 1st Lt. Kyle Faherty during a armed sentry training engagement with U.S. Marines in Lome, Togo, Dec. 4, 2014. In Togo, the Marines trained alongside 20 students from the Togoloese Army, Air Force, Navy and the Gendarmerie forces. Training in both regions focused on weapons safety and handling, rules of engagement, escalation of force, personnel and vehicle searches, vehicle entry points as well as entry control points—ending with a final exercise that tested the collective tactical knowledge learned over the course of the training engagement. Marines with SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa conducted the theater security cooperation engagement to help develop and enhance armed sentry skills sharing tactics, techniques and procedures with the Togolese Armed Forces. - A service member with the Togolese Armed Forces conducts a personnel search on 1st Lt. Kyle Faherty during a armed sentry training engagement with U.S. Marines in Lome, Togo, Dec. 4, 2014. In Togo, the Marines trained alongside 20 students from the Togoloese Army, Air Force, Navy and the Gendarmerie forces. Training in both regions focused on weapons safety and handling, rules of engagement, escalation of force, personnel and vehicle searches, vehicle entry points as well as entry control points—ending with a final exercise that tested the collective tactical knowledge learned over the course of the training engagement. Marines with SPMAGTF Crisis Response-Africa conducted the theater security cooperation engagement to help develop and enhance armed sentry skills sharing tactics, techniques and procedures with the Togolese Armed Forces.

U.S. Marines lead a foot patrol Dec. 9 during Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - U.S. Marines lead a foot patrol Dec. 9 during Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members with the Special Weapons Protection Unit remove clothing from a casualty during an exercise Dec. 1 at Camp Naha, Okinawa. The casualty went through an immediate evacuation from the area prior to being treated. Participating U.S. Marine chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialists then wrapped the casualty in a blanket and went through the full decontamination process. The JGSDF personnel are with the Nuclear Biological Chemical Unit, 15th Brigade. - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members with the Special Weapons Protection Unit remove clothing from a casualty during an exercise Dec. 1 at Camp Naha, Okinawa. The casualty went through an immediate evacuation from the area prior to being treated. Participating U.S. Marine chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialists then wrapped the casualty in a blanket and went through the full decontamination process. The JGSDF personnel are with the Nuclear Biological Chemical Unit, 15th Brigade.

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 prepare for a perimeter sweep foot patrol during the security force exercise in support of pre-deployment training Dec. 7-10, 2014, at the Auxiliary Landing Field II on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. The exercise provided Marines a hands-on experience for installation night and day security operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reba James/ Released) - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 prepare for a perimeter sweep foot patrol during the security force exercise in support of pre-deployment training Dec. 7-10, 2014, at the Auxiliary Landing Field II on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. The exercise provided Marines a hands-on experience for installation night and day security operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reba James/ Released)

U.S. Marines attending Infantry Squad Leaders Course (ISLC), School of Infantry, West, are hiking to establish a defensive position on the Army's Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2011.The mission of ISLC is to train infantrymen to be able to take charge of Marines in a combat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Munnerlyn/Released) - U.S. Marines attending Infantry Squad Leaders Course (ISLC), School of Infantry, West, are hiking to establish a defensive position on the Army's Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2011.The mission of ISLC is to train infantrymen to be able to take charge of Marines in a combat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Munnerlyn/Released)

Maj. Matthew A. Seavitte guides an AV-8B Harrier during field carrier landing practice sustainment training at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., Dec. 5, 2014. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 231 honed their skills in preparation for an upcoming deployment with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Seavitte is a landing signal officer with the squadron. - Maj. Matthew A. Seavitte guides an AV-8B Harrier during field carrier landing practice sustainment training at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., Dec. 5, 2014. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 231 honed their skills in preparation for an upcoming deployment with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Seavitte is a landing signal officer with the squadron.

Marine Vietnam veterans and their spouses listen intently to speakers at the Lt. Vincent Capodanno Medal of Honor Dedication at the Capodanno Chapel aboard The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, December 9, 2014. Capodanno served as a Navy chaplain with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment during the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Capodanno's Medal of Honor was recently donated to the chapel and was dedicated during the ceremony. - Marine Vietnam veterans and their spouses listen intently to speakers at the Lt. Vincent Capodanno Medal of Honor Dedication at the Capodanno Chapel aboard The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, December 9, 2014. Capodanno served as a Navy chaplain with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment during the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Capodanno's Medal of Honor was recently donated to the chapel and was dedicated during the ceremony.

A CH-53E Super Stallion hovers over an M777 Howitzer where Marines with Landing Support Platoon, Truck Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, prepare to attach an M777 Howitzer to a CH-53E Super Stallion as it hovered over the gun during Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., Dec. 9, 2014. The exercise gave the Marines the opportunity to refine and rehearse essential skills needed in a combat environment. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operation and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations. - A CH-53E Super Stallion hovers over an M777 Howitzer where Marines with Landing Support Platoon, Truck Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, prepare to attach an M777 Howitzer to a CH-53E Super Stallion as it hovered over the gun during Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., Dec. 9, 2014. The exercise gave the Marines the opportunity to refine and rehearse essential skills needed in a combat environment. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operation and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations.