Early in the morning, a UC-12W aircraft, callsign Stampede 19, is parked at the Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton flight line. U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Marc Mihailovic, a radar technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Camp Pendleton, arrived to the flight line early, well before the pilot and passengers. He was there, safety and mission in mind, to perform a detailed preflight inspection to ensure the aircraft was in working order and would successfully and safely get where it needed to go. The UC-12W aircraft is typically used to carry VIPs from various places in a timely manner. It is also essential in mission accomplishment and able to go long distances without stopping to refuel. Growing up in Sacramento, California, Mihailovic was recruited out of Recruiting Station Sacramento, Recruiting Sub-station Roseville, and was immediately drawn into the Marine Corps’ promise of excitement and adventure. After graduating high school he decided to take on the challenge of becoming a United States Marine...

U.S. Marines with 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, exchanged air defense tactics and procedures with Republic of Korea Marines from 1st Marine Division, ROK Marine Corps, as part of the Korean Marine Exchange Program on ROK Marine Base Pohang, South Korea, from Aug. 16 to Aug. 18, 2023. The three-day event consisted of classroom training on air defense tactics and air defense system employment, as well as simulator training with ROK and U.S. lightweight, portable air defense systems...

Marines, sailors and civilians from around Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton gather at the 11 Area Marine Corps Exchange Food and Service Plaza Pavilion to observe and celebrate the numerous diverse cultures from around the world, some even represented by the Marine and Sailors stationed at MCB Camp Pendleton. “Commonly known as Multi-Cultural Day, our Diversity Day was created to celebrate all of the Department of Defense’s approved observances that are recognized throughout the year in one all-inclusive event,” said Gunnery Sgt. Donovan SalterGreen, the equal opportunity advisor for Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton...

Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit completed training in Reno, Nevada, Aug. 24 to conduct U.S. Embassy reinforcement and noncombatant evacuation operation missions. The scheduled training was supported by Department of State advisors at Army National Guard Base Reno-Stead, Nevada, and was not related to President Biden’s visit to the Reno area...

What is selflessness? Selflessness can be demonstrated in many different ways, like giving up your seat on public transportation to someone who needs it more than you, making yourself more available for friends and family, or even letting someone have the last slice of pizza. Gestures of kindness like these have the potential to be cherished and remembered by those who receive them. These actions help define selflessness as putting the needs of others before your own...

Music fills the artist’s headphones, pulling him into his work. He has painted for the past 45 days, but soon his job would be complete. He sets down his stylus, takes a step back from his tablet, and critiques his work. This piece must be nothing short of perfection, for he is only the 2nd active-duty Marine in history to paint a commandant of the Marine Corps’ portrait. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Charles Baumann, a logistics officer from San Antonio, was selected last fall to create a portrait of Gen. David Berger, the 38th commandant of the Marine Corps...

Marines from 6th Communication Battalion reclaimed the first-place title for the Marine Corps Cyber Games May 1-5, 2023, as the only Marine Reserve unit to compete. Despite tying for first place with I Marine Expeditionary Force, 6th Comm Bn are still the reigning champions of the semi-annual competition as both units earned perfect scores in their respective events. 6th Comm Bn didn’t compete in 2022 due to operational tempo and were unable to send a team but they won first place in the 2020, 2021 and now the 2023 USMC Cyber Games.

Across the thick jungles and mountainous terrain of Oahu, U.S. Marines participating in the Advanced Infantry Marine Course execute their patrol plans under the watchful eye of their combat tested instructors. Each iteration of the course is mentally rigorous and physically demanding, pushing Marines to the limit of their capabilities, and molding them into ready, highly proficient warriors. Over seven intense weeks, Marines hone multiple infantry skills such as calling for fire and close air support, patrolling techniques, jungle and urban terrain warfare, and casualty care. Each skill is first taught in the classroom, followed by demonstrations and practical application in the field. For these Hawaii Marines, training took place aboard Marine Corps Training Area Bellows and throughout the Kahuku Training Area, each offering a unique, and realistic venue to prepare for modern warfare...

Marines and Sailors from the USS Mesa Verde, assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Bravo Command Element arrived in Plymouth, U.K. for a regularly scheduled port visit, July 28. During the visit, Sailors and Marines will have a chance to experience the rich culture of the area through morale welfare and recreation tours to popular cultural and historical landmarks around the city. This port visit marks the first stop for the USS Mesa Verde while deployed in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations...

In the pursuit of enhancing security and defense capabilities, the Philippines and the United States armed forces have developed longstanding partnerships characterized by trust and cooperation. These partnerships, based upon the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty and subsequent agreements, have enabled numerous joint exercises across all service components, including Marine Aviation Support Activity 23. During MASA, U.S. Marines exercised with Philippine counterparts to increase military preparedness and interoperability, contributing to regional stability. This year was the first time Marine Rotational Force – Darwin participated in MASA. The command element of the Marine Air Ground Task Force deployed forward to command and control forces operating across the country...