Cpl. Alec Bechtel, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 “Greyhawks”, monitors the distance of nearby aircraft during a confined area landing with Marines from VMM-165 in Southern California, March 30 2016. The training enabled Marines with VMM-161 to build interoperability between squadrons and maintain the proficiency of pilots and aircrew for these maneuvers. U.S. Marine Cpl. Edilberto Olguin shouts out a command while executing a live fire and maneuver exercise at Camp Rodriguez, South Korea, as a part of Korean Marine Exchange Program 16-R April 7, 2016. KMEP is a bilateral exercise that gives ROK Marines and U.S. Marines the opportunity to train side-by-side and help improve the relationship between the two nations. A Marine with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, provides security overwatch as amphibious assault vehicles pass below after conducting an amphibious landing during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 29, 2016. After the amphibious landing, the Marines made their way toward a combat town, where they assaulted through the urban environment. A Marine returning from deployment reunites with his son at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, April 4, 2016. Service members from Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 returned from a six and a half month deployment with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. U.S. Marines from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. prepare to fire a three-volley salute at a funeral for retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Earl E. Anderson, former assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, March 31, 2016. Anderson was the first active duty Marine Naval Aviator to be promoted to a four-star rank.
U.S. Marine KC-130J Super Hercules crew with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, assist in loading a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during Exercise Balikatan 16 at Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 6, 2016. The crew quickly and effectively loaded the HIMARS, showing its rapid mobility. Staff Sgt. Edward T. Thiroux, drill instructor, Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, quizzes a recruit on his knowledge during a series commander inspection at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, April 4, 2016. Drill instructors test recruits to see how much knowledge they’ve retained this far in training. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Kilo Company is scheduled to graduate May 6. U.S. Marines with Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a deck shoot during their Western Pacific Deployment 16 aboard the USS New Orleans, April 1, 2016. More then 4,500 Marines and sailors from the Boxer ARG, 13th MEU team are currently transiting the Pacific Ocean toward the U.S. 5th fleet area of operations during a scheduled deployment. A Marine Raider with Marine Raider Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, conducts his re-enlistment ceremony at the MARSOC dive tank, at Stone Bay, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 31, 2016. The Marine conducted his re-enlistment ceremony while submerged underwater with his fellow Marine Raiders and re-enlistment officer at the MARSOC dive tank. U.S. Marines with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct rappel training, April 1, 2016, during the MEU's western pacific deployment aboard the USS Boxer. More then 4,500 Marines and sailors from the Boxer ARG, 13th MEU team are currently transiting the Pacific Ocean toward the U.S. 5th fleet area of operations during a scheduled deployment.
Gen. John M. Paxton Jr., assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, and a procession of Marines from Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., march through Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia during a full honors funeral for Gen. Earl Edward Anderson, March 31, 2016. Anderson was the first active duty Marine Naval Aviator to be promoted to a four-star rank, and he became the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps on April 1, 1972. A recruit of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, crawls through a tunnel during the Bayonet Assault Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, March 29, 2016. The recruits had to depend on their others fire team members and stay together through the entire course while trying to move fast enough so as not to hinder the progress of other teams. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Alpha Company is scheduled to graduate April 22. Marines with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, also known as “The Lava Dogs”, conduct inflatable boat training with Republic of Korea marines as a part of the Korea Marine Exchange Program in South Korea, April 4, 2016. KMEP is a program designed to increase interoperability and camaraderie between U.S. and ROK Marines. The alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea has grown ever stronger based upon the shared interests and common values of both nations. Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 rolls the RQ-7Bv2 Shadow, an unmanned aerial system, unto the runway at Cannon Air Defense Complex in Yuma, Arizona, March 25, 2016. Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 and MWSS-274 supported VMU-1 by building a runway in preparation for the Shadow’s first flight at the site. This new tableau depicts Marines heading for cover as they exit a Vietnam-era Sikorsky UH-34D helicopter during Operation Starlite in 1965. Active duty Marines and a Corpsman were used as models to create the cast figures for the new tableau.
Marines Raiders from Company F, 2d Marine Raider Battalion, led a simulated partner nation force on ground combat patrolling tactics, techniques and procedures during a Company Collective Exercise in Fort Bragg, South Carolina, Feb. 28, 2016. The Marine Special Operations Company and individual teams where tested on their execution of basic skills as well as learned and honed new tactic, techniques and procedures. U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force fire a M240 medium machine gun to provide supporting fires for Marines maneuvering through an assault course during Platinum Lynx 16-3 at Babadag Training Area, Romania, March 26, 2016. The purpose of Platinum Lynx is to build NATO allies’ capabilities, reinforce relationships in a combined-training environment and increase operational proficiencies among U.S., Romanian, Slovenian, Bulgarian Forces. Pvt. Michael L. Riddle, Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, craws under concertina wire during a Crucible event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 23. Following graduation, he will continue his training at the School of Infantry to learn his primary job as an infantryman. Riddle intends to finish his degree and eventually become a counter terrorist agent. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. The 33rd Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, Gen. John M. Paxton, Jr., attends a Full Honors Funeral in honor of the 14th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Earl E. Anderson, retired, at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, March 31, 2016. Anderson served as the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps from March 31, 1972 till June 30, 1975. Cpl. Alexander Salazar, with Wounded Warrior Battalion-East, will compete in the Marine Corps Trials at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California March 2-9. Salazar, a native of San Antonio, Texas, will participate in bowling and golfing, but expects to be most competitive in swimming and archery.
U.S. Marine Sgt. Josh Greathouse, a team leader with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, scans the area during a perimeter patrol in Al Taqaddum, Iraq, March 21, 2016. SPMAGTF-CR-CC Marines are responsible for the force protection of coalition assets at some Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve bases within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility as part of the effort to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant. U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit depart the USS Whidbey Island in assault amphibious vehicles during PHIBRON/MEU Integration Training, March 20, 2016. PMINT was conducted as part of training required of Marines and Sailors preparing for an upcoming deployment. U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force face down range after confirming their zeroes for Exercise Juniper Cobra in Israel, Feb. 12, 2016. Juniper Cobrav is a combined Israeli-U.S. exercise designed to improve interoperability between the two countries' armed forces. Republic of Korea Marines and U.S. Marines execute a combat marksmanship range on Camp Rodriguez in South Korea, March 26, 2016. The ROK Marines and the U.S. Marines are training side-by-side for Korean Marine Exchange Program 16-16, an exercise that enhances the relationship between the two nations. The U.S. Marines are with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force and is from Edinburg, Texas. The ROK Marines are with 1st ROK Marine Division. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron-369, Marine Aircraft Group 39 at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton go on a flight with a UH-1Y Venom around Camp Pendleton March 29, 2016. The mission of Marine Aircraft Group 39 is to provide utility helicopter support, close-in fire support, fire support coordination, aerial reconnaissance, observation and forward air control in aerial and ground escort operations during ship-to-shore movement and subsequent operations ashore.
Cpl. Alec Bechtel, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 “Greyhawks”, monitors the distance of nearby aircraft during a confined area landing with Marines from VMM-165 in Southern California, March 30, 2016. The training enabled Marines with VMM-161 to improve interoperability between squadrons and maintain the proficiency of pilots and aircrew for these maneuvers.
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