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251211-N-MQ780-1389An F-35B Lighting II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 takes off from the flight deck of America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) during flight operations in the South China Sea, Dec. 11, 2025. Marine Fighter Squadron 242, part of the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, is conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Angel Conde) - 251211-N-MQ780-1389 An F-35B Lighting II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 takes off from the flight deck of America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) during flight operations in the South China Sea, Dec. 11, 2025. Marine Fighter Squadron 242, part of the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, is conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Angel Conde)

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 502, front, and an F-35C Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, rear, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct a formation as part of Project Legacy off the coast of San Diego, March 4, 2025. The Project Legacy flight was a unique opportunity for all aircraft platforms across MAG-11 to fly as one team, practice tight formations, and take part in the documentation of a historical flight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez) - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 502, front, and an F-35C Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, rear, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct a formation as part of Project Legacy off the coast of San Diego, March 4, 2025. The Project Legacy flight was a unique opportunity for all aircraft platforms across MAG-11 to fly as one team, practice tight formations, and take part in the documentation of a historical flight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Aaron Duran, left, and Lance Cpl. Juan Hilario, both machine gunners with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, forward deployed with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program, fire on simulated adversary forces with an M240B machine gun while conducting platoon attacks in an urban environment during Korea Viper 26.1 at Camp Rodriguez, South Korea, Dec. 17, 2025. Korea Viper is a recurring exercise series that demonstrates the Republic of Korea and U.S. Marine Corps' ability to respond decisively in the region as a singular, unified force while strengthening relationships and trust between the two allies. Duran is a native of California, and Hilario is a native of Illinois. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John Simpson) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Aaron Duran, left, and Lance Cpl. Juan Hilario, both machine gunners with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, forward deployed with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program, fire on simulated adversary forces with an M240B machine gun while conducting platoon attacks in an urban environment during Korea Viper 26.1 at Camp Rodriguez, South Korea, Dec. 17, 2025. Korea Viper is a recurring exercise series that demonstrates the Republic of Korea and U.S. Marine Corps' ability to respond decisively in the region as a singular, unified force while strengthening relationships and trust between the two allies. Duran is a native of California, and Hilario is a native of Illinois. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John Simpson)

Master Sgt. Cord E. Burgan, is redesignated to the rank of first sergeant at the National Museum of the Marine Corps Jan. 5, 2025. - Master Sgt. Cord E. Burgan, is redesignated to the rank of first sergeant at the National Museum of the Marine Corps Jan. 5, 2025. The E-8 redesignation pilot program allows qualified master sergeants to apply for the first sergeant military occupational specialty, opening new leadership opportunities for experienced Marines.

Resolute Dragon 25 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Evelyn Doherty) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Adams, far left, the sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force, stands while Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, left, the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Seiji Toriumi, the commanding general of Western Army, speak about the capabilities of the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System at a press conference during Resolute Dragon 25 at JGSDF Camp Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 17, 2025.