ALT U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Nicole M. Csizma, an F-35B Lightning II pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 533, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares for a flight operation at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Japan, Sept. 16, 2026. VMFA-533 arrived at MCAS Iwakuni as part of the Unit Deployment Program to augment MAG-12, 1st MAW. The UDP enables squadrons throughout the Marine Corps to exercise expeditionary capabilities while providing a forward presence in the Pacific. Kansier is a native of Nebraska. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Isabella Renaud)\n\n

ALT A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), Littoral Combat Force-24, fires an M134 minigun at a vessel of interest during a Maritime Interdiction Operation after all individuals were removed while underway in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 7, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, Department of War-directed operations, and the President's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)\n\n

ALT U.S. Marine Corps officer candidates with Alpha Company, Officer Candidates Course 253, Officer Candidates School, listen to a brief during company pick-up day at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Sept. 11, 2026. During pick-up, the candidates receive a welcome aboard brief and meet their company training staff who will be with them the rest of the training cycle. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Barker)\n\n

ALT U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Bailey Everetts, a drill instructor with Tango Company, Support Battalion, demonstrates a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) technique on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Sept. 14, 2026. Throughout recruit training, recruits are taught and must master basic assault and defense techniques to earn their tan belt through MCMAP. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas White)\n\n

ALT The Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) underwent a Field User Evaluation (FUE) which allowed Marines to receive hands-on practical application and testing in Camp Pendleton, CA, August 17-28, 2026. During the event, fleet users learned how to utilize waypoint navigation, deploy targets, verify locations, and finally put the system to the test on the water. The testing afforded Marines the opportunity to give feedback on the system to the program office during the development phase to ensure relevance and human-system interface in a near-operational environment.\n\n

ALT U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Littoral Combat Force-24, prepare to set up an observation post during a patrol base exercise on Camp Santiago Joint Training Center, Puerto Rico, Sept. 8, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, Department of War-directed operations, and the President's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)\n\n

ALT U.S. Marines with 1st Radio Battalion and 1st Intelligence Battalion,\u202FI Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group,\u202Fstart a motor on a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft during an amphibious exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 10, 2026. The exercise strengthened the execution of amphibious operations and developed advanced skills in signals intelligence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Lance Cpl. Hubert Maliszewski)\n\n