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. 1st Reconnaissance Battalion conducted the training to enhance rapid insertion capabilities in littoral zones as preparation for integrating with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment and its subordinate battalions while forward in the Philippines for Exercise Balikatan 25 and Kamandag 9 this summer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Malia Sparks) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Stefan Mueller, a native of Colorado and a reconnaissance Marine with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, tests gear prior to conducting dive operations on Marine Corps Base Hawaii Feb. 24, 2025

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and Philippine Engineers with the 357th Air Engineering Squadron members pose for a team photo during Exercise Balikatan 25 at the Barangay Dagupan Multipurpose Gymnasium, Lal-lo, Cagayan, Philippines, April 8, 2025. - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and Philippine Engineers with the 357th Air Engineering Squadron members pose for a team photo during Exercise Balikatan 25 at the Barangay Dagupan Multipurpose Gymnasium, Lal-lo, Cagayan, Philippines, April 8, 2025. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen our ironclad alliance, improve our capable combined force and demonstrate our commitment to regional security and stability (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roger- Junior Annoh)

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, hike as part of a tactical exercise during Mountain Training Exercise 2-25 at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, California, March 3, 2025. MTX 2-25 is designed to prepare units to survive, strengthen expeditionary warfare tactics, and build confidence in their abilities to operate in a cold weather, high-altitude, mountainous environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mary Torres) - U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, hike as part of a tactical exercise during Mountain Training Exercise 2-25 at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, California, March 3, 2025. MTX 2-25 is designed to prepare units to survive, strengthen expeditionary warfare tactics, and build confidence in their abilities to operate in a cold weather, high-altitude, mountainous environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mary Torres)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Richard Ashby, a low altitude air defense gunner assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Michigan, sights in with a fire control sight system attached to an M16 rifle during a counter-unmanned aircraft system drill aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean July 20, 2024. Elements of the 15th MEU are currently embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Amelia Kang) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Richard Ashby, a low altitude air defense gunner assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Michigan, sights in with a fire control sight system attached to an M16 rifle during a counter-unmanned aircraft system drill aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean July 20, 2024. Elements of the 15th MEU are currently embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Amelia Kang)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jason C. Armas, center, the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, and Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Escobar, right, the sergeant major of MRF – D 25.3, pose for a photo with Group Captain Melissa Neilson, the commander of Northern Command, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, March 17, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jason C. Armas, center, the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, and Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Escobar, right, the sergeant major of MRF – D 25.3, pose for a photo with Group Captain Melissa Neilson, the commander of Northern Command, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, March 17, 2025. MRF-D 25.3 is part of an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward-postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa)

The 80th Reunion of Honor is a milestone anniversary that commemorates the sacrifices made by both Japanese and American service members during the Battle of Iwo Jima, honoring their legacy and ensuring their stories are preserved for future generations. This milestone anniversary serves as a reminder of the enduring partnership between both nations and the progress made toward regional stability over the past 80 years. The U.S. Marine Corps was born on November 10th, 1775. From that day until the present, Marines have served with distinction in every clime and place, including the hallowed battle fields of Iwo Jima. This year, the U.S. Marine Corps celebrates 250 years of honor, courage, and commitment across the globe. - From left to right, Joseph Young, Charge d’Affaires for U.S. Embassy Tokyo; the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith; and the Honorable Peter Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense, lay a commemoration wreath at the Reunion of Honor memorial during the 80th Reunion of Honor ceremony at Iwo To, Japan, March 29, 2025.