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U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Richard Ashby, a low altitude air defense gunner assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Michigan, sights in with a fire control sight system attached to an M16 rifle during a counter-unmanned aircraft system drill aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean July 20, 2024. Elements of the 15th MEU are currently embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Amelia Kang)
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U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Bn., 1st MARDIV, load a combat rubber raiding craft onto a boat during an amphibious insert as part of Steel Knight 24 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 3, 2024. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that takes place in multiple locations across the Southwest that allows I Marine Expeditionary Force to train as a full Marine Air-Ground Task Force and better integrate with joint and naval forces. As part of the exercise, Marines with 1st LAR tested the maritime reconnaissance company concept. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Migel Reynosa)
NEW YORK (Sept. 22, 2024) U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Joshua Ashley, an analyst and electrical engineer at the USMC Expeditionary Energy Office, explains small unit power systems, which provide Marines with reliable energy sources for essential equipment, to Sea Cadets and Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment Meredith Berger hosted a climate and energy technology demonstration kickoff event at the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station in Times Square as part of the Department of the Navy’ s participation in Climate Week NYC. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Ryan de Vera)
The U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) steams in the Pacific Ocean July 12, 2024. Elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are currently embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Amelia Kang)
Allied, partner nations observe Force Design’s IBX in action
Lt. Gen. Karsten S. Heckl transfers command to Lt. Gen Eric E. Austin during MCCDC Change of Command
Major General Phillip N. Frietze
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Karsten S. Heckl, commanding general of Combat Development Command and Deputy Commandant of Combat Development and Integration, observes the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, USS Arlington (LPD 24), located in a Norfolk, Va., shipyard to undergo maintenance and modernization upgrades, May 14, 2024. Heckl, among other Marine Corps and U.S. Navy service members toured the ship to better understand its current modernization undertaking. Heckl's visit to the shipyard was to gain more understanding about how the Marine Corps can better assist the Navy and industry leaders modernizing amphibious ships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michael T. Bartman)
A Joint Light Tactical Vehicle drives onto the Stern Landing Vessel at the Del mar Boat Basin at Camp Pendleton, CA., during Project Convergence Capstone 4. The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory contracted the SLV to experiment with maneuver and sustainment options for Stand-In Forces to inform the development of the Medium Landing Ship (LSM). PC-C4 is an Army-hosted, all-Service and multinational experiment. During PC-C4, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory tested new technologies and capabilities and emerging concepts, including the multi-domain corridor. Marine Corps participation in PC-C4 supported Force Design initiatives, integrated Joint force and coalition capabilities into experimentation, and demonstrated the Marine Corps' commitment to the Joint Warfighting Concept. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mhecaela Watts)
The Stern Landing Vessel, a modified oil-rig industry off-shore support vessel, prepares to drop its ramp onto the beach in order to load cargo as part of Project Convergence Capstone 4, Feb. 22, 2024 at the Del Mar Boat Basin, Camp Pendleton, CA. The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory contracted the SLV to experiment with maneuver and sustainment options for Stand-In Forces to inform the development of the Medium Landing Ship (LSM). PC-C4 is an Army-hosted, all-Service and multinational experiment. During PC-C4, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory tested new technologies and capabilities and emerging concepts, including the multi-domain corridor. Marine Corps participation in PC-C4 supported Force Design initiatives, integrated Joint force and coalition capabilities into experimentation, and demonstrated the Marine Corps' commitment to the Joint Warfighting Concept. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent Henry)
CD&I Logo
Mr. Shon P. Brodie, the director of Maritime Expeditionary Warfare Division, Capabilities Development Directorate, is presented the Superior Civilian Service Award during a ceremony at the Davis Center on Marine Corps Base Quantico, March 3, 2022. He was hand chosen for his distinguished professionalism, initiative, and total dedication to duty by Maj. Gen. Eric E. Austin, director of Capabilities Development Directorate, CD&I. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mitchell B. Johnson)
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Collin Bish, landing support and air delivery officer in charge, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Lance Cpl. Angel D. Marmolejo, a transmission system operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, establish a communications network while participating in mass casualty response training on Ie Shima, Feb. 10, 2022. The mass casualty response mission allows the 31st MEU to reach victims of an attack, natural disaster or other emergent events when local medical and reactionary forces are unable to provide proper medical care. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the Expeditionary Strike Group in the 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)
U.S. Marines with 1st Tank Battalion watches as one of the last Hercules M88 recovery vehicles are loaded up on a tow truck at Twentynine Palms, Calif. on July 28, 2020. As a part of Force Design 2030, the Hercules M88 recovery vehicles are being divested from the Marine Corps in an effort to accelerate modernization and realign capabilities, units and personnel to higher priority areas.
A U.S. Marine with 1st Tank Battalion disembarks from a Hercules M88 recovery vehicle that was driven onto a tow truck at Twentynine Palms, Calif. on July 28, 2020. As a part of Force Design 2030, the Hercules M88 are being divested from the Marine Corps in an effort to accelerate modernization and realign capabilities, units and personnel to higher priority areas.
A U.S. Marine Corps Hercules M88 recovery vehicle disembarks from the 1st Tank Battalion ramp on a tow for the last time at Twentynine Palms, Calif. on July 28, 2020. As a part of Force Design 2030, the Hercules M88 recovery vehicles are being divested from the Marine Corps in an effort to accelerate modernization and realign capabilities, units and personnel to higher priority areas.
U.S. Marine Corps officers assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct a wargaming scenario aboard Amphibious Assault Ship USS Kearsarge, Oct. 22, 2021. The wargame was an exercise used by the Marine officers to increase proficiency in real-time decision making during PHIBRON-MEU Integrated Training. PMINT is the first at-sea period in the MEU’s Pre-deployment Training Program; it aims to increase interoperability and build relationships between Marines and Sailors.
LtGen Heckl
Lt. Gen. Karsten S. Heckl, former commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), addresses the audience during the I MEF change of command ceremony Sept. 23, 2021 at the 11 Area Parade Deck on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. During the ceremony, Heckl relinquished command of I MEF to Lt. Gen. George W. Smith Jr. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jennifer Andrade)
An artillery Marine from 1st Battalion, 12th Marines maneuvers a Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System launcher across the beach aboard Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, Hawaii, Aug. 16, 2021. During Large Scale Exercise 2021, the Marines of 1/12 struck a naval target ship with two Naval Strike Missiles which flew more than 100 nautical miles before striking the ship. LSE 2021 allowed Marines to refine concepts such as expeditionary advanced base operations and littoral operations in a contested environment in order to provide sea control or contribute to sea denial near key maritime terrain.
U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, set up a Ground and Air Task Oriented Radar system at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 10, 2020. The G/ATOR allows Marines to see further distances and is used to locate enemy weapon systems. Having this capability further enhances the III Marine Expeditionary mission and increases lethality.
U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, adjust a Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar system at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 10, 2020. The G/ATOR provides an air defense and surveillance capability and is used to locate enemy weapon systems. Having these capabilities further enhances Marines’ missions and increases lethality. G/ATOR is one of the Corps’ key capabilities supporting Force Design 2030.
BGen Clingan
Official seal of Operations Analysis Directorate
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jeremy Masters from Little Rock, Ark., and assigned to Regimental Combat Team 7 engages his target during a foreign weapons and NATO ballistics live-fire shoot on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 1, 2013. The Marines conducted the shoot to ensure serviceabilty of the weapons systems. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ezekiel R. Kitandwe/Released)
U.S. Marines with Ammo Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group (1st MLG) are instructed in the proper handling of the M249 light machine gun, by Marines with Combat Skills Training School, Headquarters Company, Headquarters Regiment, 1st MLG aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., October 3, 2014. Ammo Company conducts weapons training to maintain unit deployment readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Jordan E.Gilbert/Released)