Stories

Exercise aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow. - Marines and interagency partners engaged in an Interagency Active Shooter and Mass Casualty Exercise on the Yermo Annex aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, 10 December 2025. “This full-scale regional command training and interoperability exercise is designed to enhance emergency preparedness and rapid response capabilities to violent incidents,” said Maj Grant Burnett, director of Operations. “The exercise involved coordination with key interagency partners, including local law enforcement, local fire and emergency services, as well as federal law agencies.” Personnel and other resources from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office, Naval Criminal Investigation Services, Barstow Fire, California Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Mercy Air worked closely with the Provost Marshal’s law enforcement officers, Fire and Emergency Services’ firefighters and paramedics, Dispatch teams, and Base Operations to conduct simulations in-order-to test installation’s emergency response protocols for active shooters and mass casualty incidents. This complex and multi-faceted training brings together our local agencies and improves communications, working relations, and team building. Photo by Leo Ritualo.

Blount Island Strengthens Readiness Through Workforce Development - Contractor John Borén, an OSHA-authorized outreach trainer, demonstrates a building inspection during the OSHA 10-hour general industry outreach training Dec. 10, 2025, at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. The training is helping build a safer, more resilient workforce, ready to support Marine Corps global mission objectives. (Official Marine Corps photo by Dustin Senger)

Better Together: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Hosts Interagency Table Top Exercise - Ms. Hollenbeck, an emergency planning manager with Defense Coordinating Element IX, gives remarks during an Interagency Table Talk Exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 5, 2025. The Interagency Partner TTX included participation from MCIWEST commanders, I MEF staff, Senior Leader Training Instructors, liaison officers, and interagency representatives across Southern California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Akamelu)

A Philippine Air Force service member, left, coordinates with U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Steve Lundin, right, the officer in charge of the Humanitarian Assistance Response Team assigned to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, about unloading palletized family food packs from a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in support of foreign disaster relief operations at Virac, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2025. - A Philippine Air Force service member, left, coordinates with U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Steve Lundin, right, the officer in charge of the Humanitarian Assistance Response Team assigned to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, about unloading palletized family food packs from a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in support of foreign disaster relief operations at Virac, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2025. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. military is working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief support to communities affected by consecutive Typhoons Kalmaegi (Tino) and Fung-Wong (Uwan), which caused extensive damage and tragic loss of life. The forward presence and ready posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitates rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Knowles)

MCLB Barstow Leadership Receives ARD Hero Award. - Colonel Russell W. Savatt, Commanding Officer, along with Captain Hurtado and Sergeant Major Virto, receiving the ARD Hero award for 2025

Fire Department personnel conduct CMC Rescue Clutch training - Fire Department personnel conduct CMC Rescue Clutch training

Courtesy Photo - Members of Camp Lejeune Fire and Emergency Services Division pose with awards given by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The ESGR Patriot and Pro Patria Awards recognize exceptional commitment to employees serving in the National Guard and military reserve components.

An MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 25.3, flies in a formation flight with CV-22 Ospreys assigned to 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, near Lal-lo, Philippines, during a foreign disaster relief operation, Aug. 3, 2025. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the MRF-D 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force is working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief to communities affected by consecutive storms and the southwest monsoon. The forward presence and ready posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitates rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara) - An MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 25.3, flies in a formation flight with CV-22 Ospreys assigned to 21st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, near Lal-lo, Philippines, during a foreign disaster relief operation, Aug. 3, 2025. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the MRF-D 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force is working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief to communities affected by consecutive storms and the southwest monsoon. The forward presence and ready posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitates rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

Camp Lejeune FESD Named 2024 Fire Department of the Year - Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Fire and Emergency Services Division (FESD) was named the 2024 Marine Corps Fire Department of the Year. FESD also received the 2024 Marine Corps Fire Prevention Program award.

Blount Island Among Bases Reviewed in Northeast Florida Resilience Initiative - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, gathered with military and civilian leaders April 22 to launch the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review in Jacksonville, Florida.