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The 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith, and the Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Lt. Gen Ju II-Seok, stand for colors during an honors cordon at Arlington, Virginia, June 2, 2026. - The 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith, and the Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Lt. Gen Ju II-Seok, stand for colors during an honors cordon at Arlington, Virginia, June 2, 2026.

The “sundown” of the AV-8B Harrier II, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for over 40 years, also represents the dawn of a new era; it paves the way for 2nd MAW’s full transition to the F-35B and C Lightning II. VMA-223 is the U.S. Marine Corps' last operational Harrier squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo) - A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, sits in front of a crowd at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, June 3, 2026. The “sundown” of the AV-8B Harrier II, an iconic aircraft that has supported joint and Marine Corps operations for over 40 years, also represents the dawn of a new era; it paves the way for 2nd MAW’s full transition to the F-35B and C Lightning II. VMA-223 is the U.S. Marine Corps' last operational Harrier squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Giraldo)

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 26, walk to the opening ceremony of Exercise Southern Jackaroo in Townsville Field Training Area, Australia, May 29, 2026. Exercise Southern Jackaroo is a trilateral training event between the armed forces of Australia, Japan, and the United States that builds combined combat readiness and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific through joint operations and live-fire training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kyle Chan) - U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 26, walk to the opening ceremony of Exercise Southern Jackaroo in Townsville Field Training Area, Australia, May 29, 2026. Exercise Southern Jackaroo is a trilateral training event between the armed forces of Australia, Japan, and the United States that builds combined combat readiness and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific through joint operations and live-fire training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kyle Chan)

A U.S. Sailor assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) gives a send-off salute as a U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), Littoral Combat Force-24, takes off during night deck landing qualifications while underway in the Caribbean Sea, May 19, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo) - A U.S. Sailor assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) gives a send-off salute as a U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), Littoral Combat Force-24, takes off during night deck landing qualifications while underway in the Caribbean Sea, May 19, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, pose for a photo during a staff ride in honor of Memorial Day at Mount Samat National Shrine of Valor, Bataan, Philippines, May 23, 2026. MRF-SEA serves as I MEF’s forward command element, supporting Task Force - Philippines and integrating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen interoperability and improve combined readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy) - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, pose for a photo during a staff ride in honor of Memorial Day at Mount Samat National Shrine of Valor, Bataan, Philippines, May 23, 2026. MRF-SEA serves as I MEF’s forward command element, supporting Task Force - Philippines and integrating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen interoperability and improve combined readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy)

Marines aboard a UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, toss a first person view unmanned aircraft system during an integration assessment exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 13, 2026. - Marines aboard a UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, toss a first person view unmanned aircraft system during an integration assessment exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 13, 2026. The collaborative exercise allowed Marines to determine the feasibility of using FPV UAS from an aircraft and evaluate how to best integrate them to increase combat capabilities and lethality. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Symira Bostic)