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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Adams, sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force, reads a promotion warrant to Master Sgt. Christopher McCullar during McCullar’s redesignation to first sergeant on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 9, 2026. McCullar was selected for a lateral move to first sergeant under the new E-8 transfer pilot initiative. McCullar will take over as the senior enlisted advisor for Communications Company, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jeremiah Barksdale) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Adams, sergeant major of III Marine Expeditionary Force, reads a promotion warrant to Master Sgt. Christopher McCullar during McCullar’s redesignation to first sergeant on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 9, 2026. McCullar was selected for a lateral move to first sergeant under the new E-8 transfer pilot initiative. McCullar will take over as the senior enlisted advisor for Communications Company, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jeremiah Barksdale)

First Sergeant community welcomes highly qualified Marine

The Marine Corps has long been committed to retaining its talented individuals. The E-8 Redesignation Pilot Program serves to continue that commitment to retaining and growing talent. By allowing master sergeants to shift into the first sergeant role, the program allows the Marine Corps to leverage the leadership capabilities of seasoned Marines, aligning talent more efficiently with the Corps’ operational needs. First Sergeant Christopher J. McCullar exemplifies talent that the Marine Corps seeks to keep. His outstanding performance over nearly two decades has afforded him the chance to chase after something he’s wanted since his early days in the Marine Corps.

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1st MAW Commanding General and VMM-268 support Toys for Tots in Maui - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Marcus Annibale, commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st MAW, pose for a photo with local volunteers at Kahului Airport, Hawaii, Dec. 16, 2025. VMM‑268 transported toys and personnel to advance the Toys for Tots mission, delivering a message of joy and hope to children across Hawaii throughout the holiday season. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chandler Evans)

U.S. Marines deliver holiday hope from skies above Hawaii

The roar of Marine Corps aircraft engines is a familiar sound across the Hawaiian Islands, often signaling rigorous training or rapid response. But this holiday season, that sound brought a different kind of cargo to the children of Hawaii: hope, delivered in the form of thousands of toys.

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U.S. Marines with 1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (LAAD), Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and civilian contractors pose for a photo at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 12, 2025. - U.S. Marines with 1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (LAAD), Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and civilian contractors pose for a photo at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 12, 2025. Program Executive Office Land Systems successfully fielded two Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems to 1st LAAD. The fielding of these systems marked a pivotal step in enhancing expeditionary defense capabilities within the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Marine Corps fields MADIS to 1st LAAD

The U.S. Marine Corps took a major step forward with a state-of-the-art system designed for short-range detection, tracking and engagement of aerial threats. On Dec. 12, 2025, Program Executive Office Land Systems fielded two Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems (MADIS) to 1st Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW). The fielding of these systems marks a pivotal step in enhancing expeditionary defense capabilities within the Indo-Pacific region.

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cecilia Campbell, a combat videographer with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, takes a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 15, 2025. During participation in the Marine Corps Instillations Pacific hosted course, she received first place in the photo story and b-roll package portions. Campbell is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cecilia Campbell, a combat videographer with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, takes a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 15, 2025. During participation in the Marine Corps Instillations Pacific hosted course, she received first place in the photo story and b-roll package portions. Campbell is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)

Lance Cpl. Campbell finds her voice in photography

While attending a professional military education course, Lance Cpl. Cecilia Campbell, a videographer with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, earned first place for her photo and video story Dec.1 – Dec. 12.

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sydney Smalls, an administrative clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, gives a speech during her promotion ceremony Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 3, 2025. Meritorious promotion ceremonies are a significant achievement in a service member’s career and are a testament to their commitment, mastery of duties and skills, and leadership capabilities. Marines take on greater responsibilities as Non-Commissioned Officers after showing exemplary leadership skills. Smalls is a native of New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chloe Johnson) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sydney Smalls, an administrative clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, gives a speech during her promotion ceremony Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 3, 2025. Meritorious promotion ceremonies are a significant achievement in a service member’s career and are a testament to their commitment, mastery of duties and skills, and leadership capabilities. Marines take on greater responsibilities as Non-Commissioned Officers after showing exemplary leadership skills. Smalls is a native of New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chloe Johnson)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sydney Smalls reaches new heights during meritorious promotion

Lance Cpl. Sydney Smalls was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal on Dec. 1, for going above and beyond the duties of a Lance Cpl. in her primary military occupation specialty, administrative specialist.

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U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, participate in a formation run at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Nov 6. 2025. In celebration of the upcoming 250th Marine Corps Birthday, Marines and Sailors with MAG-24 ran 250 miles simultaneously with all 1st MAW units to strengthen unit cohesion and camaraderie. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anabelle Reed-O’Brien) - U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, participate in a formation run at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Nov 6. 2025. In celebration of the upcoming 250th Marine Corps Birthday, Marines and Sailors with MAG-24 ran 250 miles simultaneously with all 1st MAW units to strengthen unit cohesion and camaraderie. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anabelle Reed-O’Brien)

MAG-24 Marines Run 250 Miles for the Marine Corps Birthday

From Nov. 4–6, 2025, Marines and Sailors with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), conducted the 250th Marine Corps Birthday Run. The event commenced at 5:00 p.m., a time deliberately chosen to synchronize with fellow Marines stationed in Japan. The running of the Colors was a tribute to heritage and legacy across the Wing. For 250 miles, the Colors remained in motion, in three different locations, honoring the Corps’ unbroken spirit.

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kaiesha Deweever, an admin specialist with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing translates during a live-fire range as part of exercise Resolute Dragon 25 on Oyanohara Manuver Area, Oita Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 13, 2025. Resolute Dragon 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. Deweever is a native of Hawaii. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert Blanks) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kaiesha Deweever, an admin specialist with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing translates during a live-fire range as part of exercise Resolute Dragon 25 on Oyanohara Manuver Area, Oita Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 13, 2025. Resolute Dragon 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. Deweever is a native of Hawaii. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert Blanks)

1st MAW Marine provides translation for U.S., Japanese forces during Resolute Dragon 25

Long before she ever wore the uniform, Lance Cpl. Kaiesha Deweever grew up watching the Marines who inspired her path. Born and raised in Okinawa, Japan, till the age of ten where she would find herself living in Pearl City, Hawaii, Deweever’s life was shaped by both the American and Japanese culture. Her father was a U.S. Marine serving over 20 years, and her mother, a native of Okinawa, filled her childhood with the language, customs and traditions of Japan.

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U.S. Marines, Sailors, and staff from the Sunrin Aeyukwon Children’s Home pose for a photo in Pohang, South Korea, Aug. 22, 2025. Marines and the children’s home have maintained a strong relationship since the facility was established in 1952 with the help of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and Naval Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 101. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jeremiah Barksdale) - U.S. Marines, Sailors, and staff from the Sunrin Aeyukwon Children’s Home pose for a photo in Pohang, South Korea, Aug. 22, 2025. Marines and the children’s home have maintained a strong relationship since the facility was established in 1952 with the help of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and Naval Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 101. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jeremiah Barksdale)

1st MAW assistant wing commander visits Sunrin Aeyukwon Children’s Home

What began as an act of compassion during the Korean War has grown into more than seven decades of friendship between U.S. Marines and the children of Pohang Sunrin Aeyukwon. In 1952, in the midst of the Korean War, U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing witnessed the suffering of children who had lost their families, homes and sense of security. Moved by what they saw, the Marines set aside their roles as warriors and became caretakers. They personally raised $3,500 to build what would become the Marine Memorial Orphanage–later named the Pohang Sunrin Aeyukwon–with assistance from Naval Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 101.

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U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members establish a forward arming refueling point on Yonaguni, Japan, Oct. 27, 2025. The FARP training enhanced interoperability and strengthened the ability of U.S. Marines and the JGSDF to control and defend key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Sotodavila) - U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members establish a forward arming refueling point on Yonaguni, Japan, Oct. 27, 2025. The FARP training enhanced interoperability and strengthened the ability of U.S. Marines and the JGSDF to control and defend key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Sotodavila)

U.S. Marines, JGSDF test expeditionary capabilities on Yonaguni Island

U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462 and Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 172, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), established a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) on Yonaguni Island, Japan, Oct. 27 during Joint Exercise 07 alongside the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The operation bolstered U.S. Marine and JGSDF bilateral interoperability and demonstrated 1st MAW’s ability to support shared objectives anywhere within the first island chain.

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A Naval Junior ROTC cadet of Kalaheo High School explores the cockpit of a KC-130J Super Hercules during a static display presentation at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Sept. 12, 2025. The visit gave the NJROTC cadets a comprehensive look at how a military aviation unit operates through the various roles and responsibilities from mechanical maintenance to flight operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Heather Atherton) - A Naval Junior ROTC cadet of Kalaheo High School explores the cockpit of a KC-130J Super Hercules during a static display presentation at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Sept. 12, 2025. The visit gave the NJROTC cadets a comprehensive look at how a military aviation unit operates through the various roles and responsibilities from mechanical maintenance to flight operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Heather Atherton)

JROTC tour

Students from Kalāheo High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) executed their annual Basic Cadet Training (BCT) camp at Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i (MCBH). The event immersed cadets in the core values, operations and culture of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Kalāheo NJROTC has a long history of partnering with MCBH to introduce first year cadets to U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps principles. As the official unit sponsor, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153, a subordinate squadron of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, worked closely with MCBH to coordinate guided tours, static displays and military instruction over the span of two-days from Sept. 12, 2025, to Sept. 13, 2025. The BCT camp offers orientation training to new cadets while allowing senior cadets to showcase their operational planning and small unit leadership skills by supervising the cadet’s movements between stations. “MCBH Kāne‘ohe has been a tremendous partner over the years,” said retired Lt. Cmdr. Henry Van Oss, the program’s senior naval science instructor. “The support provided by MCBH is a key factor in successfully orienting our new first-year cadets to Navy JROTC and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team.” NJROTC is an elective program emphasizing self-discipline, character development and leadership. At Kalāheo High School, the program supports federally mandated goals as well as many Hawai‘i Content Performance Standards, including social studies, science and physical education. While participation does not require a military obligation, it provides numerous benefits for cadets interested in military careers. This year’s training began with guided tours of the Marine Corps Air Station air traffic control tower and radar room. Cadets then moved to the flight line to learn about Marine Corps aircraft and equipment, including the KC-130J Super Hercules and MV-22B Osprey. “I personally loved going into the Osprey,” said cadet Lacy Bitanga. “I’m thinking about cadets who have never been on a military base. They don’t know what it’s like to be in these types of positions, so I think it’s really cool how they can incorporate civilian life into military life.” In addition to the aircraft displays, cadets also learned about some of the engineering equipment used by Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, including a water filtration system, solar charging station and heavy equipment like the P-19R Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicle. At each station, Marines engaged with cadets, explaining their occupational specialties, answering questions and offering insights into military life. After an event filled morning on the first day of training, cadets had lunch while Sgt. Maj. Christopher Rivera, sergeant major of MAG-24, spoke about physical and mental toughness, the ability to lead and his personal connection to the program. Many of the Cadets recognized Rivera because of his daughter, who recently graduated from the Kalāheo High School NJROTC program. “Seeing my daughter benefit directly from the NJROTC program makes this deeply personal,” Rivera explained. “She was a cadet in Kalāheo’s NJROTC and the exposure, discipline and mentorship she received laid the foundation for her transformation. Supporting and mentoring cadets is MAG-24’s way of creating that future, ensuring we leave it in capable hands.” The second day, Cadets gained hands-on experience with simulated marksmanship training before attending a military and career orientation and leadership training. At the conclusion of the training Cadets expressed their thoughts. “As a leader, events like this really help you build a relationship with your cadets,” said cadet Mia Krebbeks, who serves as the cadet’s command master chief. “You’re able to build memories with them, and I think that relationship is one of the most important parts of leadership.” Following this year’s BCT Camp, cadets can move forward with more confidence in their ability to lead others and overcome adversity. Through collaborative programs and opportunities MAG-24 and MCBH will continue supporting cadets in their journey to build resilience, embrace responsibility and answer the call of leadership.

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