VMFA-251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C, designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Evan Shockley, from Virginia and commanding officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, taxis an F-35C Lightning Il at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Sept. 17, 2024. VMFA-251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C, designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

The family of Cpl. Spencer Collart attend a ceremony pose for a photo during an award presentation post humously honoring his heroic actions, Sept. 16, 2024, at Marine Barracks Washington. Gen. Eric M. Smith, 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Cpl. Collart's family in recognition of the heroic actions Collart made while attempting to save the lives of his fellow Marines following a crash of their MV-22 Osprey on Aug. 27, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tawanya Norwood) - The family of Cpl. Spencer Collart attend a ceremony and pose for a photo during an award presentation posthumously honoring his heroic actions, Sept. 16, 2024, at Marine Barracks Washington. Gen. Eric M. Smith, 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Cpl. Collart's family in recognition of the heroic actions Collart made while attempting to save the lives of his fellow Marines following a crash of their MV-22 Osprey on Aug. 27, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tawanya Norwood)

Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing load an AGM-158A joint air-to-surface standoff missile (JASSM) on an F/A-18 Hornet during the AGM-158A validation and verification at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Aug. 27, 2024. MALS-11 and VMFA-232 were the first Marine Corps units to conduct ordnance operations with the AGM-158A JASSM which is being incorporated into the F/A-18 Hornet ordnance arsenal. - Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing load an AGM-158A joint air-to-surface standoff missile (JASSM) on an F/A-18 Hornet during the AGM-158A validation and verification at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Aug. 27, 2024. MALS-11 and VMFA-232 were the first Marine Corps units to conduct ordnance operations with the AGM-158A JASSM which is being incorporated into the F/A-18 Hornet ordnance arsenal.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Amelia Kang, a combat graphics specialist assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Portland, Oregon, is promoted to sergeant aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) at Busan Naval Base, South Korea, Sept. 8, 2024. The 15th MEU was in South Korea conducting Exercise Ssang Yong 24 to strengthen the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Amelia Kang, a combat graphics specialist assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Portland, Oregon, is promoted to sergeant aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) at Busan Naval Base, South Korea, Sept. 8, 2024. The 15th MEU was in South Korea conducting Exercise Ssang Yong 24 to strengthen the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward combined amphibious capability in defense of the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific stand in formation during the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 12, 2024. With two-thirds of the Marine Corps operating forces assigned, MARFORPAC operates in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, the largest Geographical Combatant Command in the U.S. Department of Defense, as the Nation’s expedition force and like-minded allies and partners to preserve and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ash McLaughlin) - U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific stand in formation during the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 12, 2024. With two-thirds of the Marine Corps operating forces assigned, MARFORPAC operates in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, the largest Geographical Combatant Command in the U.S. Department of Defense, as the Nation’s expedition force and like-minded allies and partners to preserve and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ash McLaughlin)

Col. Christine Houser, left, commander of Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, stands at the podium after finishing second in the Women's Masters Division during the 2024 Armed Forces Triathlon Championship at Naval Base Ventura County, Calif. Also pictured are first place finisher, Air Force Maj. Esther Willett, center; and third place finisher Army Maj. Christyn Gaa. - Col. Christine Houser, left, commander of Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, stands at the podium after finishing second in the Women's Masters Division during the 2024 Armed Forces Triathlon Championship at Naval Base Ventura County, Calif. Also pictured are first place finisher, Air Force Maj. Esther Willett, center; and third place finisher Army Maj. Christyn Gaa.