Marines.mil

18
Jan
2017

An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, lands at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 18, 2017. VMFA-121 conducted a permanent change of station to MCAS Iwakuni, from MCAS Yuma, Ariz., and now belongs to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The F-35B Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter, which is the world’s first operational supersonic short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft. The F-35B brings strategic agility, operational flexibility and tactical supremacy to III MEF with a mission radius greater than that of the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II in support of the U.S. – Japan alliance.

Lightning II strikes Iwakuni, F-35B arrives Jan. 18, 2017, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 18, 2017.VMFA-121 conducted a permanent change of station to MCAS Iwakuni from MCAS...

Cpl. Aaron Henson, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 18, 2017.VMFA-121 conducted a permanent change of station to MCAS Iwakuni from MCAS Yuma, Arizona, and now belongs to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “There’s definitely been a lot of challenges . . .

17
Jan
2017

Sgt. Tyler R. Woelmer, announces commands to shooters on the firing line when to engage their targets during table two of the annual rifle range qualification, Jan. 12, 2017, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. The Marine Corps revised table two of the marksmanship program October 2016 to increase marksmanship skill and realism in a combat environment. The Corps requires Marines to annually qualify at the range to determine their marksmanship skill. Woelmer, an Ida Township, Michigan, native, is a rifle range pit noncommissioned officer attached with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines raise combat standards for rifle range in hopes of more realistic training Jan. 17, 2017, III Marine Expeditionary Force

Marines qualify on the rifle range every year and train to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy. In October 2016, the Marine Corps has presented a new challenge for...

Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez, III Marine Expeditionary Force

Marines qualify on the rifle range every year and train to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy. In October 2016, the Marine Corps has presented a new challenge for Marines on the range — a modification to the second half of the marksmanship program was implemented with hopes to better train Marines for combat.Marines will still complete table

12
Jan
2017

Sgt. Gabriel R. McInnis, engineer equipment mechanic with Bulk Fuel Company C, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo after receiving a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 7, 2017. McInnis received the medal for his actions in preventing an assault of a family in Tempe, Ariz., Dec. 27, 2016.

Uncommon Courage: Reserve Marine saves family from attack Jan. 12, 2017, Marine Corps Forces Reserves

On a sunny December afternoon in Tempe, Arizona, Gabriel R. McInnis, a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve, thought he was on a routine drive to serve on a funeral honors...

Sgt. Ian Leones, Marine Corps Forces Reserves

On a sunny December afternoon in Tempe, Arizona, Gabriel R. McInnis, a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve, thought he was on a routine drive to serve on a funeral honors detail. While passing through a residential area on Dec. 27, 2016, he heard a woman scream.“I was approaching a light, when I heard some screaming and yelling,” said McInnis, an

12
Jan
2017

An F-35B lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 prepares to take off aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Jan. 9, 2017, as it transits the Pacific en route to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. VMFA-121 is the first operational F-35B squadron in the Marine Corps, with its relocation to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Iwakuni. The F-35B was developed to replace the Marine Corps’ F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier and EA- 6B Prowler. The Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft is a true force multiplier. The unique combination of stealth, cutting-edge radar and sensor technology, and electronic warfare systems bring all of the access and lethality capabilities of a fifth-generation fighter, a modern bomber, and an adverse-weather, all-threat environment air support platform.

Marine Corps F-35Bs relocate to Japan Jan. 12, 2017, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, an F-35B squadron with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, departed Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, transferring to Marine Corps Air...

Courtesy Story, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, an F-35B squadron with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, departed Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, transferring to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 9, 2017.The first location to receive the Marine Corps' F-35B, as part of its worldwide deployment capability, is Iwakuni, Japan. In November 2012,

10
Jan
2017

Four U.S. Marines and two Sailors instinctively responded alongside local residents when a vehicle with five passengers fell from the fifth story of a parking garage in Yokosuka, Dec. 31, 2016. Once the Marines arrived on scene, the group collectively flipped the car in order to remove the passengers prior to Japanese Emergency Medical Services arriving. The Marines are assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment and forward deployed to 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan. The Sailors are assigned to Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Pictured left to right: Petty Officer 1st Class Garrett Osborne, Lance Cpl. James Flores, Lance Cpl. Manaure Arellano, Pfc. Jacob Boerner, Lance Cpl. Raheem Gilliam and Petty Officer 2nd Class Derhon Finch.

Marines rescue Japanese children during Tokyo tragedy Jan. 10, 2017, III Marine Expeditionary Force

Four Marines were traveling toward a Yokosuka train station on their way to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Tokyo, when they heard a call for help. Without hesitation, they...

Courtesy Story, III Marine Expeditionary Force

Four Marines were traveling toward a Yokosuka train station on their way to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Tokyo, when they heard a call for help. Without hesitation, they sprinted toward the scene, weaving between pedestrians on a crowded street.“We were running as fast as we could,” said Lance Cpl. James H. Flores, from West, Texas. “We just started

9
Jan
2017

1st Lt. Conor Campbell, a theater security cooperation team leader with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, hands a certificate to a Gabonese Armed Forces solider during a graduation ceremony at Camp Mokekou, Gabon, Dec. 8, 2016. Marines trained together with the Gabonese Agency for National Parks and Gabonese Armed Forces to help combat illicit trafficking in the region.

Gabon, U.S. train to fight illicit activity Jan. 9, 2017, Marine Corps Forces Africa

Gabonese Armed Forces worked together with U.S. Marines during a training exercise at Camp Mokekou, Gabon, Nov. 10 – Dec. 9, 2016.The U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine...

Cpl. Alexander Mitchell, Marine Corps Forces Africa

Gabonese Armed Forces worked together with U.S. Marines during a training exercise at Camp Mokekou, Gabon, Nov. 10 – Dec. 9, 2016.The U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response – Africa partnered with Gabonese Armed Forces soldiers as well as Gabonese Agency for National Parks during the exercise focused on

6
Jan
2017

Master Sgt. Clifford Farmer, shown here during a 2010 deployment to Afghanistan, has four combat tours under his belt and years of experience as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. Today, he battles post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, and urges leaders across the Marine Corps to show understanding and compassion for Marines who may be suffering.

EOD Marine battles enemy within; credits colleagues for saving his life Jan. 6, 2017, Marine Corps Systems Command

Master Sgt. Clifford Farmer is one tough Marine. As an explosive ordnance disposal technician with four combat tours under his belt, he has years of experience neutralizing...

Emily Greene, Marine Corps Systems Command

Master Sgt. Clifford Farmer is one tough Marine. As an explosive ordnance disposal technician with four combat tours under his belt, he has years of experience neutralizing and disposing of deadly explosives, including improvised explosive devices, the signature weapon of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.“We always joke in the field

4
Jan
2017

U.S. Marine Corps Col. James Wellons, commanding officer of Marine Aviation Weapons, and Tactics Squadron One, left, and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Casey Nelson, an MV-22B Osprey pilot for MAWTS-1, display Maj. Nelson's 2015 exceptional pilot award alongside U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Nicholas (Ret.) Kehoe at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Jan. 4, 2017. The Exceptional Pilot Award recognizes one pilot from each branch for exceptional service which Maj. Nelson displayed by directing and coordinating a humanitarian aid mission in Nepal after being hit with earthquakes.

MAWTS-1 aviator recognized for exceptional courage and leadership Jan. 4, 2017, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

An MV-22 instructor pilot received a Marine aviation level award Jan. 4, 2017 at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One Memorial Hall. Maj. Casey D. Nelson was...

Staff Sgt. Artur Shvartsberg, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

An MV-22 instructor pilot received a Marine aviation level award Jan. 4, 2017 at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One Memorial Hall. Maj. Casey D. Nelson was awarded the 2015 Daedalian Exceptional Pilot Award for extraordinary display of courage and leadership during humanitarian assistance disaster relief operations in earthquake

4
Jan
2017

Retired 1st Lt. John J. O’Leary, a Marine veteran of World War II, looks at pictures on his dresser at the Evergreen Community of Johnson County, Olathe, Kan., Dec. 21, 2016. O’Leary fought on Guam and witnessed the bombardment of Iwo Jima as a member of 3rd Joint Assault Signal Company. He celebrated his 100th birthday on Dec. 23.

Always Faithful: World War II Marine turns 100 Jan. 4, 2017, Marine Corps Forces Reserves

With more than 16 million Americans who served in World War II, only a fraction of them still live today. Even fewer can claim to have reached the age of 100. John J. O’Leary,...

Sgt. Ian Leones, Marine Corps Forces Reserves

With more than 16 million Americans who served in World War II, only a fraction of them still live today. Even fewer can claim to have reached the age of 100. John J. O’Leary, a retired Marine first lieutenant, is one of the lucky few.He celebrated his 100th birthday at the Evergreen Community of Johnson County, Olathe, Kansas, Dec. 23,

3
Jan
2017

Marines craft together a detonation cord linear charge for an urban assault breaching range during a deployment for training exercise at Fort Pickett, Va., Dec. 8, 2016. The training gave the Marines an opportunity to practice making and applying donut charges, oval charges and uli knot slider charges. The Marines are with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

3/8 and 2nd CEB burst into action with explosives Jan. 3, 2017, II Marine Expeditionary Force

A fuse ignites and Marines begin to count down from ten as they take cover behind a thick protective pad. When the countdown ends, a door disintegrates into pieces and the...

Sgt. Clemente Garcia, II Marine Expeditionary Force

A fuse ignites and Marines begin to count down from ten as they take cover behind a thick protective pad. When the countdown ends, a door disintegrates into pieces and the Marines rush in, prepared to capture the enemy.Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and Charlie Co., 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion spent two days at an

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