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Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 launches an F-35B Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 31, 2023. VMFA-542 received its first F-35B Lightning II jets and is the Marine Corps’ first East Coast operational F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The arrival of the aircraft marks the beginning of F-35 deliveries to MCAS Cherry Point, continuing 2nd MAW’s operational transition from legacy fixed-wing tactical aircraft to the F-35. VMFA-542 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 launches an F-35B Lightning II at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 31, 2023. VMFA-542 received its first F-35B Lightning II jets and is the Marine Corps’ first East Coast operational F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The arrival of the aircraft marks the beginning of F-35 deliveries to MCAS Cherry Point, continuing 2nd MAW’s operational transition from legacy fixed-wing tactical aircraft to the F-35. VMFA-542 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines provide security for a platoon attack during Stand-in Force Exercise on Okinawa, Japan, Dec.11, 2022. SiF-EX is a Division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region. - U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines provide security for a platoon attack during Stand-in Force Exercise on Okinawa, Japan, Dec.11, 2022. SiF-EX is a Division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region.

A U.S. Marine Corps M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System assigned to Kilo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, Marine Forces Reserve, fires a rocket while conducting a HIMARS rapid insertion training event during Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 2-22, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, April 6, 2022. Kilo Battery conducted their annual training with WTI 2-22, enabling their Marines, and the aircrew training with WTI, to conduct a complex training evolution and certify that they are fully mission capable. - A U.S. Marine Corps M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System assigned to Kilo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, Marine Forces Reserve, fires a rocket while conducting a HIMARS rapid insertion training event during Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 2-22, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, April 6, 2022. Kilo Battery conducted their annual training with WTI 2-22, enabling their Marines, and the aircrew training with WTI, to conduct a complex training evolution and certify that they are fully mission capable.

U.S. Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, pose for a group photo with Gen. David Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. Troy Black, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, during the annual Marine Corps rifle squad competition awards ceremony in the Hawkins Room at The Basic School on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, April 27, 2023.The annual Marine Corps rifle squad competition is a service-recognized competitive environment to determine, under simulated combat conditions, which Marine rifle squad most effectively demonstrates their combat capabilities and operational proficiency. - U.S. Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, pose for a group photo with Gen. David Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. Troy Black, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, during the annual Marine Corps rifle squad competition awards ceremony in the Hawkins Room at The Basic School on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, April 27, 2023.The annual Marine Corps rifle squad competition is a service-recognized competitive environment to determine, under simulated combat conditions, which Marine rifle squad most effectively demonstrates their combat capabilities and operational proficiency.

The 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. David H. Berger, speaks to the audience during the annual Marine Corps Association information awards dinner in Arlington, Virginia, April 20, 2023. Marines with outstanding performance in information-related occupational fields were recognized and awarded according to their achievements. - The 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. David H. Berger, speaks to the audience during the annual Marine Corps Association information awards dinner in Arlington, Virginia, April 20, 2023. Marines with outstanding performance in information-related occupational fields were recognized and awarded according to their achievements.

A U.S. Army High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fires during a littoral live fire event during Balikatan 23 at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippines, April 26, 2023. Balikatan 2023 is the 38th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military. The exercise includes three weeks of training focused on amphibious operations, command and control, humanitarian assistance, urban operations and counterterrorism skills throughout northern and western Luzon. Coastal defense training figures prominently in the Balikatan 23 training schedule. - A U.S. Army High Mobility Artillery Rocket System fires during a littoral live fire event during Balikatan 23 at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippines, April 26, 2023. Balikatan 2023 is the 38th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military. The exercise includes three weeks of training focused on amphibious operations, command and control, humanitarian assistance, urban operations and counterterrorism skills throughout northern and western Luzon. Coastal defense training figures prominently in the Balikatan 23 training schedule.