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Marines

MCB Camp Pendleton

MCB Pendleton Seal

Oceanside, California

Official U.S. Marine Corps Website

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U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jessica Larsen, the 1st Marine Division Band drum major, instructs band members during rehearsal at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 24, 2023. Larsen’s first duty station was at the Blue Diamond as a lance corporal saxophone instrumentalist, and now after three years as a drill instructor, she has returned for a second tour. Larsen is a native of Saint Donatus, Iowa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cameron Hermanet)

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jessica Larsen, the 1st Marine Division Band drum major, instructs band members during rehearsal at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 24, 2023. Larsen’s first duty station was at the Blue Diamond as a lance corporal saxophone instrumentalist, and now after three years as a drill instructor, she has returned for a second tour. Larsen is a native of Saint Donatus, Iowa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cameron Hermanet)

Photo by Cpl. Cameron Hermanet

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jessica Larsen, the 1st Marine Division Band drum major, instructs band members during rehearsal at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 24, 2023. Larsen’s first duty station was at the Blue Diamond as a lance corporal saxophone instrumentalist, and now after three years as a drill instructor, she has returned for a second tour. Larsen is a native of Saint Donatus, Iowa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cameron Hermanet)

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jessica Larsen, the 1st Marine Division Band drum major, instructs band members during rehearsal at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 24, 2023. Larsen’s first duty station was at the Blue Diamond as a lance corporal saxophone instrumentalist, and now after three years as a drill instructor, she has returned for a second tour. Larsen is a native of Saint Donatus, Iowa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cameron Hermanet)

Photo by Cpl. Cameron Hermanet

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, participate in an obstacle during the Crucible at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 3, 2023. The Crucible is a 54-hour culminating event consisting of mentally and physically demanding challenges with limited food and sleep. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler W. Abbott)

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, participate in an obstacle during the Crucible at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 3, 2023. The Crucible is a 54-hour culminating event consisting of mentally and physically demanding challenges with limited food and sleep. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler W. Abbott)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Abbott

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, prepare to conduct an obstacle during the Crucible at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 3, 2023. The Crucible is a 54-hour culminating event consisting of mentally and physically demanding challenges with limited food and sleep. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler W. Abbott)

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, prepare to conduct an obstacle during the Crucible at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 3, 2023. The Crucible is a 54-hour culminating event consisting of mentally and physically demanding challenges with limited food and sleep. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler W. Abbott)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Abbott

U.S. Marine Corps Recruit, with Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, participates in an obstacle during the Crucible at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 3, 2023. The Crucible is a 54-hour culminating event consisting of mentally and physically demanding challenges with limited food and sleep. Le was recruited by Recruiting Station Chicago, Ill. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abbott)

U.S. Marine Corps Recruit, with Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, participates in an obstacle during the Crucible at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 3, 2023. The Crucible is a 54-hour culminating event consisting of mentally and physically demanding challenges with limited food and sleep. Le was recruited by Recruiting Station Chicago, Ill. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abbott)

Photo by Cpl. Tyler Abbott

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Flippo, an imagery analysis specialist with 1st Intelligence Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, calls out commands during a martial arts instructor course physical training session at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 9, 2022. MAI courses certify Marines to instruct and monitor Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training and advance Marines in the program, distinguishing their levels of experience with different colored belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zaragoza)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Flippo, an imagery analysis specialist with 1st Intelligence Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, calls out commands during a martial arts instructor course physical training session at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 9, 2022. MAI courses certify Marines to instruct and monitor Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training and advance Marines in the program, distinguishing their levels of experience with different colored belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zaragoza)

Photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Gottschalk, a radio operator with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, calls out commands during a martial arts instructor course physical training session at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 9, 2022. MAI courses certify Marines to instruct and monitor Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training and advance Marines in the program, distinguishing their levels of experience with different colored belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zaragoza)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Gottschalk, a radio operator with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, calls out commands during a martial arts instructor course physical training session at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 9, 2022. MAI courses certify Marines to instruct and monitor Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training and advance Marines in the program, distinguishing their levels of experience with different colored belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zaragoza)

Photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Miranda, a field artillery cannoneer with India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fires an M777A2 lightweight 155mm howitzer during an indirect fire training exercise as part of Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 9, 2022. Steel Knight is an annual combined arms live-fire exercise which ensures 1st MARDIV is optimized for naval expeditionary warfare in contested spaces, and is purpose-built to facilitate future operations afloat and ashore. Miranda is a native of San Diego. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Earik Barton)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Miranda, a field artillery cannoneer with India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fires an M777A2 lightweight 155mm howitzer during an indirect fire training exercise as part of Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 9, 2022. Steel Knight is an annual combined arms live-fire exercise which ensures 1st MARDIV is optimized for naval expeditionary warfare in contested spaces, and is purpose-built to facilitate future operations afloat and ashore. Miranda is a native of San Diego. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Earik Barton)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Earik Barton

U.S. Marines with India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fire an M777A2 lightweight 155mm howitzer during an indirect fire training exercise as part of Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 8, 2022. Steel Knight is an annual combined arms live-fire exercise which ensures 1st MARDIV is optimized for naval expeditionary warfare in contested spaces, and is purpose-built to facilitate future operations afloat and ashore. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Barton)

U.S. Marines with India Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fire an M777A2 lightweight 155mm howitzer during an indirect fire training exercise as part of Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 8, 2022. Steel Knight is an annual combined arms live-fire exercise which ensures 1st MARDIV is optimized for naval expeditionary warfare in contested spaces, and is purpose-built to facilitate future operations afloat and ashore. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Barton)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Earik Barton

U.S. Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) and U.S. Navy Sailors with Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, Naval Beach Group 1, load a AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar onto a landing craft, air cushion during exercise Steel Knight 23 at White Beach, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2022. ACU-5 and MACG-38 demonstrated the ability to use amphibious connectors to quickly reposition aviation command and control Marines and equipment in a littoral environment. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Childs)

U.S. Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) and U.S. Navy Sailors with Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, Naval Beach Group 1, load a AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar onto a landing craft, air cushion during exercise Steel Knight 23 at White Beach, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2022. ACU-5 and MACG-38 demonstrated the ability to use amphibious connectors to quickly reposition aviation command and control Marines and equipment in a littoral environment. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Childs)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Childs

A U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion with Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, carrying an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar, departs White Beach, Camp Pendleton, California during exercise Steel Knight 23, Dec. 6, 2022. ACU-5 and Marine Air Control Group 38 demonstrated the ability to use amphibious connectors to quickly reposition aviation command and control Marines and equipment in a littoral environment. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Childs)

A U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion with Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, carrying an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar, departs White Beach, Camp Pendleton, California during exercise Steel Knight 23, Dec. 6, 2022. ACU-5 and Marine Air Control Group 38 demonstrated the ability to use amphibious connectors to quickly reposition aviation command and control Marines and equipment in a littoral environment. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Childs)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Childs

A U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion with Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 5, taxies down a runway during exercise Steel Knight 23 at White Beach, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2022. ACU-5 and Marine Air Control Group 38 demonstrated the ability to use amphibious connectors to quickly reposition aviation command and control Marines and equipment in a littoral environment. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Childs)

A U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion with Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 5, taxies down a runway during exercise Steel Knight 23 at White Beach, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2022. ACU-5 and Marine Air Control Group 38 demonstrated the ability to use amphibious connectors to quickly reposition aviation command and control Marines and equipment in a littoral environment. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Childs)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Childs

U.S. Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) and U.S. Navy Sailors with Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, load an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar onto a landing craft, air cushion during exercise Steel Knight 23 at White Beach, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2022. ACU-5 and MACG-38 demonstrated the ability to use amphibious connectors to quickly reposition aviation command and control Marines and equipment in a littoral environment. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Childs)

U.S. Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) and U.S. Navy Sailors with Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, load an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar onto a landing craft, air cushion during exercise Steel Knight 23 at White Beach, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2022. ACU-5 and MACG-38 demonstrated the ability to use amphibious connectors to quickly reposition aviation command and control Marines and equipment in a littoral environment. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Childs)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Childs

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Harper, a UH-1Y Venom pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), operates his UH-1Y Venom during a flight operation during exercise Steel Knight 23, over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 6, 2022. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Fletcher)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Harper, a UH-1Y Venom pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), operates his UH-1Y Venom during a flight operation during exercise Steel Knight 23, over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 6, 2022. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Fletcher)

Photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), fire an AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile at a moving maritime target from an AH-1Z Viper during exercise Steel Knight 23, over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 7, 2022. MAG-39 conducts sea denial operations to enable littoral operations in contested environments. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Fletcher)

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), fire an AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile at a moving maritime target from an AH-1Z Viper during exercise Steel Knight 23, over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 7, 2022. MAG-39 conducts sea denial operations to enable littoral operations in contested environments. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Fletcher)

Photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), fly an AH-1Z Viper loaded with an AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile to a live fire range during exercise Steel Knight 23, over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 7, 2022. MAG-39 conducts sea denial operations to enable littoral operations in contested environments. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Fletcher)

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), fly an AH-1Z Viper loaded with an AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile to a live fire range during exercise Steel Knight 23, over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 7, 2022. MAG-39 conducts sea denial operations to enable littoral operations in contested environments. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Fletcher)

Photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), fly an AH-1Z Viper armed with an AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile to a live fire range during exercise Steel Knight 23, over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 7, 2022. MAG-39 conducts sea denial operations to enable littoral operations in contested environments. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Fletcher)

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), fly an AH-1Z Viper armed with an AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile to a live fire range during exercise Steel Knight 23, over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 7, 2022. MAG-39 conducts sea denial operations to enable littoral operations in contested environments. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Fletcher)

Photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher

U.S. Marine Cpl. Schultz, a squad leader with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, posts security during a patrol as part of Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2022. Steel Knight is an annual combined arms live-fire exercise which ensures 1st MARDIV is optimized for naval expeditionary warfare in contested spaces, and is purpose-built to facilitate future operations afloat and ashore. Schultz is a native of Glastonbury, Connecticut. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel)

U.S. Marine Cpl. Schultz, a squad leader with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, posts security during a patrol as part of Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2022. Steel Knight is an annual combined arms live-fire exercise which ensures 1st MARDIV is optimized for naval expeditionary warfare in contested spaces, and is purpose-built to facilitate future operations afloat and ashore. Schultz is a native of Glastonbury, Connecticut. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Brayden Daniel

A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), escorts two U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion 73 with Assault Craft Unit 5, during exercise Steel Knight 23, off the coast of Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2022. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher)

A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), escorts two U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion 73 with Assault Craft Unit 5, during exercise Steel Knight 23, off the coast of Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 2022. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher)

Photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher

A U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion with Assault Craft Unit 5 carries an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar during exercise Steel Knight 23, Dec. 6, 2022. Exercise Steel Knight provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Fletcher)

A U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion with Assault Craft Unit 5 carries an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar during exercise Steel Knight 23, Dec. 6, 2022. Exercise Steel Knight provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Fletcher)

Photo by Sgt. Samuel Fletcher