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Aussies Visit the 1st Marine Division - Aussies Visit the 1st Marine Division

Aussies reconnect with U.S. Marines at the Blue Diamond

Regimental staff members huddled around the command post of the ‘fighting’ 5th Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Between the offices buzzing with movement on either side of the foyer, and the hallways lined with photos and encased memorabilia from the wars of yesteryear, the building had the air of a living museum.Two special

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Sergeant Edwin Lopez, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, poses for a portrait aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 7, 2016. Lopez said the Marine Corps provided the 25-year-old, San Marcos native to become a successful leader within the infantry community, deploying four separate times to places such as Okinawa and Afghanistan. - Sergeant Edwin Lopez, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, poses for a portrait aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 7, 2016. Lopez said the Marine Corps provided the 25-year-old, San Marcos native to become a successful leader within the infantry community, deploying four separate times to places such as Okinawa and Afghanistan.

San Marcos Marine molds young leaders

Sergeant Edwin Lopez, a native of San Marcos, California, fell into the latter category. He’d finished high school but felt he lacked direction.“At that time I had nothing going for me,” the San Marcos, California native said. “My buddy told me to go see a recruiter.”Shortly after his visit to the recruiting station, Lopez found himself immersed in

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A field radio operator assigned to the Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, relays orders to his squad, during a live-fire platoon level assault during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Feb. 9, 2016. Iron Fist is an annual, bi-lateral training exercise between the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and Marines to strengthen warfighting capabilities in ship to shore operations. - A field radio operator assigned to the Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, relays orders to his squad, during a live-fire platoon level assault during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Feb. 9, 2016. Iron Fist is an annual, bi-lateral training exercise between the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and Marines to strengthen warfighting capabilities in ship to shore operations.

One Team, One Fight: 1/4, JGSDF take part in Iron Fist

For years, Marines and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force have come together to build upon their storied relationship as allies through Exercise Iron Fist. The exercise requires Marines at all levels to effectively work with a partnered nation to complete tasks and missions.Marines and Sailors assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st

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Retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Martin Vasquez (left) and Maj. Gen. Daniel J. O’Donohue, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, attach campaign streamers to the division colors during a Battle Colors Rededication Ceremony in honor of the division’s 75th anniversary, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4, 2016. Veteran and active duty Marines and Sailors who served in the division over the years participated in the ceremony, celebrating the oldest, largest, and most decorated division in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Will Perkins) - Retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Martin Vasquez (left) and Maj. Gen. Daniel J. O’Donohue, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, attach campaign streamers to the division colors during a Battle Colors Rededication Ceremony in honor of the division’s 75th anniversary, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4, 2016. Veteran and active duty Marines and Sailors who served in the division over the years participated in the ceremony, celebrating the oldest, largest, and most decorated division in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Will Perkins)

1st Marine Division Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Marines and Sailors gathered in front of 1st Marine Division’s historic, “White House,” which serves as the unit’s headquarters building, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the oldest, largest, and most decorated division in the Marine Corps, Feb. 4, 2016.Retired and veteran Marines and Sailors, some members of the 1st Marine Division

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Captain Scott Williams, company commander of Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, dives out of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat to conduct underwater search operations training, Jan. 28, 2016. The Marines and Sailors of Co. A will use their dive ability to give the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit a valuable underwater search tool when it deploys later this year. - Captain Scott Williams, company commander of Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, dives out of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat to conduct underwater search operations training, Jan. 28, 2016. The Marines and Sailors of Co. A will use their dive ability to give the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit a valuable underwater search tool when it deploys later this year.

1st Recon searches the Pacific

The smell of sea salt and the roar of engines fills the senses as three rigid-hulled inflatable boats cut through the water off the coast of California.With Sea World in the background, the three boats slow to a stop in the calm, dark waters of the Pacific Ocean. Eight figures geared for diving systematically run through their final checklists

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Sgt. Tyler Felts, an LAV crewman, sights in on a target during a live-fire gunnery qualification test with an M240B machine gun at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Jan. 22, 2016. Live-fire tests like these allow the Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force to train for how they will execute their mission when they are deployed in a combat zone. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss) - Sgt. Tyler Felts, an LAV crewman, sights in on a target during a live-fire gunnery qualification test with an M240B machine gun at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Jan. 22, 2016. Live-fire tests like these allow the Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force to train for how they will execute their mission when they are deployed in a combat zone. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss)

1st LAR trains for real-world combat

The LAV-25, or light armored vehicle, is a versatile, amphibious vehicle in the Marine Corps. Its mission is to provide combined arms reconnaissance and security in support of a ground combat element. From its M242 25mm chain-driven auto cannon, to its top speed of approximately 62 mph, the LAV-25 is a useful addition to the combat capabilities of

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Staff Sgt. James Case, the chief instructor of the Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division Lance Corporal Seminar Leadership and Ethics Seminar, briefs students on the plan of the day after a combat conditioning session aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 27, 2016. The weeklong seminar focuses on preparing lance corporals physically and mentally to become successful noncommissioned officers, while building the foundation for the more difficult residential courses like Corporals Course and Sergeants Course. - Staff Sgt. James Case, the chief instructor of the Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division Lance Corporal Seminar Leadership and Ethics Seminar, briefs students on the plan of the day after a combat conditioning session aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 27, 2016. The weeklong seminar focuses on preparing lance corporals physically and mentally to become successful noncommissioned officers, while building the foundation for the more difficult residential courses like Corporals Course and Sergeants Course.

Training the leaders of tomorrow: Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division hosts Lance Corporal Seminar

Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division hosted a Lance Corporal Leadership and Ethics Seminar for 55 Marines from Jan. 25–29, 2016, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Lance Corporal Leadership and Ethics Seminar recently became a mandatory requirement for junior Marines looking to become noncommissioned officers, and its

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Maj. Gen. Daniel J. O’Donohue and Sgt. Maj. William T. Sowers stand for a quick photo opportunity following a ceremony with the San Diego Nice Guys charity group, Dec. 16, 2015. During the ceremony, the San Diego Nice Guys presented their annual contribution from the Marine Family Christmas Fund to assist local military families in their holiday grocery shopping. Since 1997, the MFCF has supported thousands of families, primarily those who have forward deployed Marines and sailors of the Blue Diamond division, with generous donations for the holiday season. - Maj. Gen. Daniel J. O’Donohue and Sgt. Maj. William T. Sowers stand for a quick photo opportunity following a ceremony with the San Diego Nice Guys charity group, Dec. 16, 2015. During the ceremony, the San Diego Nice Guys presented their annual contribution from the Marine Family Christmas Fund to assist local military families in their holiday grocery shopping. Since 1997, the MFCF has supported thousands of families, primarily those who have forward deployed Marines and sailors of the Blue Diamond division, with generous donations for the holiday season.

Selfless Service: Marine Family Christmas Fund Carries on Tradition

Members of the Marine Family Christmas Fund and The Nice Guys charities gathered at the 1st Marine Division headquarters for a quiet ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 16, 2015. During the ceremony, the MFCF presented their annual contribution to assist local military families in their holiday grocery shopping.

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Lance Cpl. Roderick Jacquote, a combat photographer with Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, edits photos during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear drill aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 13, 2015. The Marines and Sailors with 5th Marine Regiment conducted the gas drill as part of Steel Knight 2016, a division-led exercise which prepares Marines and Sailors with the 1st Marine Division and adjacent I Marine Expeditionary Force units with the skill sets necessary to operate as a fully capable Marine Air Ground Task Force. - Lance Cpl. Roderick Jacquote, a combat photographer with Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, edits photos during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear drill aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 13, 2015. The Marines and Sailors with 5th Marine Regiment conducted the gas drill as part of Steel Knight 2016, a division-led exercise which prepares Marines and Sailors with the 1st Marine Division and adjacent I Marine Expeditionary Force units with the skill sets necessary to operate as a fully capable Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Gas! Gas! Gas!: Steel Knight 2016

“Gas! Gas! Gas!,” rang throughout the Regimental Combat Team 5’s combat operations center aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 13, 2015.Marines and sailors, already in mission oriented protective posture gear, or MOPP, scrambled to throw their protective masks over their faces. Less than 15 seconds later,

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Lance Cpl. Travis DeShazo, a rifleman assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, prepares a computer to control a Raven unmanned aerial system to establish the location of notional enemy units aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, California, Dec. 10, 2015. The Marines employed the Raven UAS as part of Steel Knight to gain a better understanding of it and develop a higher proficiency of what it takes to operate as a more effective as the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Travis DeShazo, a rifleman assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, prepares a computer to control a Raven unmanned aerial system to establish the location of notional enemy units aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, California, Dec. 10, 2015. The Marines employed the Raven UAS as part of Steel Knight to gain a better understanding of it and develop a higher proficiency of what it takes to operate as a more effective as the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Steel Knight: 2/4's eyes in sky

Over the wind-swept mountains of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, a faint buzz floats over four armored vehicles, the source of the sound is invisible to the naked eye in the twilight hour of the evening.Marines assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, posture far away with

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