LEADERS

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Geoffrey Blumenfled, the commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, left, poses for a group photo after Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary demonstrated a fast-rope insertion to partner forces at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Waimanalo, Hawaii, as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2024, July 2. Lt. Col. Blumenfled piloted the MV-22B Osprey while 15th MEU Marines demonstrated to partner forces the ability to conduct fast-rope insertions in austere locations. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world's largest international maritime exercise; RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Geoffrey Blumenfled, the commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, left, poses for a group photo after Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary demonstrated a fast-rope insertion to partner forces at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Waimanalo, Hawaii, as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2024, July 2. Lt. Col. Blumenfled piloted the MV-22B Osprey while 15th MEU Marines demonstrated to partner forces the ability to conduct fast-rope insertions in austere locations. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world's largest international maritime exercise; RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Marcus B. Annibale, right, the commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Maj. Gen. Eric E. Austin, the outgoing commanding general, salute the colors during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, July 12, 2024. 1st MAW is the aviation combat element of III Marine Expeditionary Force. Its mission is to conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces to include offensive air support, anti-air support, assault support, aerial reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and control of aircraft and missiles. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Marcus B. Annibale, right, the commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Maj. Gen. Eric E. Austin, the outgoing commanding general, salute the colors during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, July 12, 2024. 1st MAW is the aviation combat element of III Marine Expeditionary Force. Its mission is to conduct air operations in support of the Fleet Marine Forces to include offensive air support, anti-air support, assault support, aerial reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and control of aircraft and missiles. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)

A U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A MUX/MALE assigned to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing completes preflight checklist during the first Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Launch and Recovery (SLR) mission at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, June 20, 2024. SLR minimizes logistical constraints, enables operations from short airfields over vast distances, and supports the flexibility required for modern expeditionary operations. VMU-3's successful SLR demonstration emphasized its pivotal role in advancing Marine Corps capabilities in reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abreu) - A U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A MUX/MALE assigned to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing completes preflight checklist during the first Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Launch and Recovery (SLR) mission at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, June 20, 2024. SLR minimizes logistical constraints, enables operations from short airfields over vast distances, and supports the flexibility required for modern expeditionary operations. VMU-3's successful SLR demonstration emphasized its pivotal role in advancing Marine Corps capabilities in reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Abreu)

U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, Marine Aircraft Group 24,1st Marine Aircraft Wing, stage transport vehicles at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Apr. 15, 2024. The purpose of MALS-24's Displaced Warrior exercise is to demonstrate their ability to set up power mobile maintenance facilities, assist flight operations and deliver supply support in an austere environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor) - U.S. Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, Marine Aircraft Group 24,1st Marine Aircraft Wing, stage transport vehicles at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Apr. 15, 2024. The purpose of MALS-24's Displaced Warrior exercise is to demonstrate their ability to set up power mobile maintenance facilities, assist flight operations and deliver supply support in an austere environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor)

An MV-22B Osprey attached to Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, departs Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in preparation for Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) , April 16, 2024. MRF-D is a deployment held in Australia that enhances capabilities and readiness of both of the United States Marine Corps and Australian Defense Force and continues to help strengthen the alliance between the two nations. VMM-268 will serve as the Aviation Combat Element for the upcoming iteration of MRF-D. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter) - An MV-22B Osprey attached to Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, departs Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in preparation for Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) , April 16, 2024. MRF-D is a deployment held in Australia that enhances capabilities and readiness of both of the United States Marine Corps and Australian Defense Force and continues to help strengthen the alliance between the two nations. VMM-268 will serve as the Aviation Combat Element for the upcoming iteration of MRF-D. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christian Krapf, a Rhode Island native, left, and Sgt. Matthew Miclat, a California native, both air traffic controllers with Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, observe Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, disembark a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 during air traffic control operations at Rodriguez Live Fire Range Complex, Pocheon, South Korea, March 10, 2024, during Warrior Shield 24. Warrior Shield 24 is an annual joint, combined exercise held on the Korean Peninsula that seeks to strengthen the combined defensive capabilities of Republic of Korea and U.S. forces. This routine, regularly scheduled, field training exercise provides the ROK and U.S. Marines the opportunity to rehearse combined operations, exchange knowledge, and demonstrate the strength and capabilities of the ROK-US Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Harmon) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christian Krapf, a Rhode Island native, left, and Sgt. Matthew Miclat, a California native, both air traffic controllers with Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, observe Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, disembark a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 during air traffic control operations at Rodriguez Live Fire Range Complex, Pocheon, South Korea, March 10, 2024, during Warrior Shield 24. Warrior Shield 24 is an annual joint, combined exercise held on the Korean Peninsula that seeks to strengthen the combined defensive capabilities of Republic of Korea and U.S. forces. This routine, regularly scheduled, field training exercise provides the ROK and U.S. Marines the opportunity to rehearse combined operations, exchange knowledge, and demonstrate the strength and capabilities of the ROK-US Alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Harmon)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing deliver buddy benches to Kainalu Elementary School, Kailua, Hawaii, April 1, 2024. MAG-24 Marines partnered with the school to construct and deliver six buddy benches that serve as a positive space for students to sit and make friends. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tania Guerrero) - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing deliver buddy benches to Kainalu Elementary School, Kailua, Hawaii, April 1, 2024. MAG-24 Marines partnered with the school to construct and deliver six buddy benches that serve as a positive space for students to sit and make friends. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tania Guerrero)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Shane Gentry, an MQ-9A MUX/MALE pilot with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing poses for a photo at MAG-24 headquarters, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 25, 2024. Gentry was awarded the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Alfred A. Cunningham award for his superior performance. The award also names the recipient the Marine Aviator of the Year and is the highest honor a Marine aviator can achieve during their career. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Shane Gentry, an MQ-9A MUX/MALE pilot with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing poses for a photo at MAG-24 headquarters, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, March 25, 2024. Gentry was awarded the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Alfred A. Cunningham award for his superior performance. The award also names the recipient the Marine Aviator of the Year and is the highest honor a Marine aviator can achieve during their career. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Logan Beeney)

Brig. Gen. Kelvin Gallman, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Assistant Wing Commander, and Col. Ronnie Michael, Camp Mujuk Commanding Officer, tour the Pohang Sunrin Aeyukwon, an orphanage founded by U.S. Marines during the Korean War on March 14, 2024. Brig. Gen Gallman visited the orphanage after the conclusion of Freedom Shield 24, the largest bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Republic of Korea militaries on the Korean peninsula. - Brig. Gen. Kelvin Gallman, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Assistant Wing Commander, and Col. Ronnie Michael, Camp Mujuk Commanding Officer, tour the Pohang Sunrin Aeyukwon, an orphanage founded by U.S. Marines during the Korean War on March 14, 2024. Brig. Gen Gallman visited the orphanage after the conclusion of Freedom Shield 24, the largest bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Republic of Korea militaries on the Korean peninsula.