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VMFA-251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C, designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Evan Shockley, from Virginia and commanding officer, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, taxis an F-35C Lightning Il at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Sept. 17, 2024. VMFA-251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C, designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Rigby, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, looks out the back of an MV-22B Osprey during the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Rigby, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, looks out the back of an MV-22B Osprey during the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. MRF-D’s participation in the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast demonstrates the United States Marine Corps’ commitment to international partnerships and highlights the close military ties between the United States and Australia, fostering interoperability and cooperation between their armed forces. Rigby is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton)

Service members from the United States, Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024. - Service members from the United States, Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024. Exercise Predator’s Run 24 is a littoral-focused, multilateral training exercise led by the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade, involving the Australian Defence Force, British Armed Forces, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3’s participation in Exercise Predator’s Run 24 increases interoperability with Allies and partners, highlighting the effectiveness of combined operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

U.S. Marines with 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division, cross a gap with a viper bridge during viper bridge training near Ostersund, Sweden, April 17, 2023. Marines are deployed to Norway as part of Marine Rotational Forces Europe 23.1 which focuses on regional engagements throughout Europe by conducting various exercises, arctic cold-weather and mountain warfare training, and military-to-military engagements, which enhance overall interoperability of the U.S. Marine Corps with allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christian M. Garcia) - U.S. Marines with 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division, cross a gap with a viper bridge during viper bridge training near Ostersund, Sweden, April 17, 2023. Marines are deployed to Norway as part of Marine Rotational Forces Europe 23.1 which focuses on regional engagements throughout Europe by conducting various exercises, arctic cold-weather and mountain warfare training, and military-to-military engagements, which enhance overall interoperability of the U.S. Marine Corps with allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christian M. Garcia)

Guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), patrol coastal ship USS Thunderbolt (PC 12), Coast Guard patrol boat USCGC Monomoy (WPB 1326), and Kuwait Navy patrol boats KNS Istiqlal (P5702) and KNS Al-Garoh (P3725), operate in formation during Eager Defender 21 in the Arabian Gulf, June 8. Eager Defender 21 is the capstone in a series of bilateral exercises between Kuwait and U.S. naval forces, focused on enhancing mutual capabilities and interoperability in maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dean M. Cates) - Guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), patrol coastal ship USS Thunderbolt (PC 12), Coast Guard patrol boat USCGC Monomoy (WPB 1326), and Kuwait Navy patrol boats KNS Istiqlal (P5702) and KNS Al-Garoh (P3725), operate in formation during Eager Defender 21 in the Arabian Gulf, June 8. Eager Defender 21 is the capstone in a series of bilateral exercises between Kuwait and U.S. naval forces, focused on enhancing mutual capabilities and interoperability in maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dean M. Cates)