Stories - Page 9

Another day, another hike

When individuals hear the word hiking, they think of it as a time to leisurely explore different terrains. They think of walking up big hills and mountains at their own pace. In the Marine Corps, hiking is one of the foundations of Marine combat conditioning. From the beginning of Marine Corps recruit training, individuals are exposed to hiking and

Read More

11th MEU executes field exercise

The rocks and sand shook as the vehicles approached the exercise site. The landscape was vast with a view of the ocean off in the distance where one could see the sun touch the water as it sets. The vehicles came to a stop and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s field exercise had finally begun Sept 12. This is the 11th MEU’s first field exercise

Read More

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit command element march across the beach during an eight-mile hike here August 29. The MEU is currently ramping up for their pre-deployment training, which will begin early next year. The MEU plans on increasing the difficulty of each hike over the next couple of months. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED) - Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit command element march across the beach during an eight-mile hike here August 29. The MEU is currently ramping up for their pre-deployment training, which will begin early next year. The MEU plans on increasing the difficulty of each hike over the next couple of months. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED)

11th MEU participates in eight-mile hike

Heavy breathing, rifles banging up against gear and the sounds of boots hiking along the terrain is what one can expect when the 11th Marine Expditionary Unit goes on a hike. Two of the traits that a Marine must attain and maintain throughout their career: physical fitness and mission readiness. The 11th MEU has made it a priority to make sure

Read More

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Sgt. Juan Villegas, an embarkation/logistics specialist and El Paso, Texas native with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, drags a pack while swimming as part of a swim qualification here, Aug. 15. Swim qualifications are a requirement for all Marines. There are three levels of qualification: basic, intermediate and advanced. A Marine must complete the basic qualification before attempting the next two qualifications. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED) - CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Sgt. Juan Villegas, an embarkation/logistics specialist and El Paso, Texas native with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, drags a pack while swimming as part of a swim qualification here, Aug. 15. Swim qualifications are a requirement for all Marines. There are three levels of qualification: basic, intermediate and advanced. A Marine must complete the basic qualification before attempting the next two qualifications. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED)

11th MEU sergeant no longer iron duck

The bus was filled with laughter as Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit made their way toward a pool to participate in an annual swim qualification. All the Marines were relaxed while on the bus except for Sgt. Juan Villegas, an embarkation/logistics specialist and El Paso, Texas native with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He sat

Read More

The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s color guard lines up along the baseball field before the Padres’ pre-game ceremony here, Aug. 2, 2013. The 11th MEU’s color guard performed precision drill and honors to the colors during the pre-game ceremony. As an expression of gratitude the Padres provided free game admittance to all members of color guard. - The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s color guard lines up along the baseball field before the Padres’ pre-game ceremony here, Aug. 2, 2013. The 11th MEU’s color guard performed precision drill and honors to the colors during the pre-game ceremony. As an expression of gratitude the Padres provided free game admittance to all members of color guard.

11th MEU Color Guard Performs at Padres Game

As the Marines approached the field the crowd in the stadium grew louder and more rowdy. Sunlight peaked through the tunnel entrance; the moment of truth was upon them. The Marines took the field in a single-file line with stoic faces, as if the stadium were empty. The ovation was well deserved for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s color

Read More

Sgt. Brandon Keens, intel anaylst with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sits atop a wall while observing the obstacle course here, July 23. Members of the MEU executed the obstacle course and completed a combat fitness training circuit course to keep with a high standard of physical fitness and readiness.(Photo by: U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan R. Waldman, Combat Camera, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit) - Sgt. Brandon Keens, intel anaylst with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sits atop a wall while observing the obstacle course here, July 23. Members of the MEU executed the obstacle course and completed a combat fitness training circuit course to keep with a high standard of physical fitness and readiness.(Photo by: U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan R. Waldman, Combat Camera, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit)

11th MEU Stays Physical

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit took another step into getting back into deployment shape by conducting another physical fitness session here July 23. On the heels of a seven-mile hike that the MEU executed July 19, the Marines kept up the motivation by breaking their bodies off once again. This time it was a two for one special

Read More

Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, loaded with packs and weapons, stay aligned in formation while hiking near Edson Range, July 19th. The unit completed the seven-mile hike to improve conditioning and develop unit cohesion. - Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, loaded with packs and weapons, stay aligned in formation while hiking near Edson Range, July 19th. The unit completed the seven-mile hike to improve conditioning and develop unit cohesion.

11th MEU Resumes Hikes

Marines and sailors of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit completed their first unit hike behind a new commanding officer here, July 19.Col. Matthew Trollinger, commanding officer of the 11th MEU, reinstituted unit hikes this month with the intent of continuing the physical and mental development of the Marines and sailors under his charge.Dusting

Read More

Lance Cpl. Alexander Williams, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit supply clerk, conducts ammo can lifts during a combat fitness test here July 12 (Photo by: U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan R. Waldman, Combat Camera, 11TH Marine Expeditionary Unit) - Lance Cpl. Alexander Williams, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit supply clerk, conducts ammo can lifts during a combat fitness test here July 12 (Photo by: U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan R. Waldman, Combat Camera, 11TH Marine Expeditionary Unit)

11th MEU conducts combat fitness test

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a Combat Fitness Test here, July 12. In 2008, the Marine Corps established the Combat Fitness Test to complement the already existing Physical Fitness Test. The CFT was designed to test a Marine’s physical fitness in a combat environment.Conducted in the Marine Corps utility uniform and

Read More

An instructor from the Naval War College talks goes over staff planning with members of the Japanese Self Defense Force during a planning exercise on board the Japanese ship Hyuga at Naval Base San Diego June 7. The planning exericse gave Marines and sailors a chance share how U.S. ground components and maritime components work together to conduct amphibious operations. This training is part of Exercise Dawn Blitz, which is scenario-driven exercise that refocuses Navy and Marine Corps and coalition forces in their ability to conduct complex ambibious operations.(Photo by: U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jimmy H. Bention, Jr., Public Affairs Chief, 11TH Marine Expeditionary Unit) - An instructor from the Naval War College talks goes over staff planning with members of the Japanese Self Defense Force during a planning exercise on board the Japanese ship Hyuga at Naval Base San Diego June 7. The planning exericse gave Marines and sailors a chance share how U.S. ground components and maritime components work together to conduct amphibious operations. This training is part of Exercise Dawn Blitz, which is scenario-driven exercise that refocuses Navy and Marine Corps and coalition forces in their ability to conduct complex ambibious operations.(Photo by: U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jimmy H. Bention, Jr., Public Affairs Chief, 11TH Marine Expeditionary Unit)

U.S., Japanese forces participate in planning exercise

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and sailors from the USS San Diego, PHIBRON 5 and PCU America participated in a planning exercise with members of the Japanese Ground and Maritime Self Defense Force June 3-8 at Naval Base San Diego on the Japanese vessel Hyuga. The purpose of the weeklong course was to work with the Japanese forces

Read More

A Japanese landing craft air cushion (LCAC) lands on Red Beach as part of the initial offload for Exercise Dawn Blitz here, May 31, 2013. Dawn Blitz 2013 is an amphibious exercise testing U.S. and coalition forces in skills expected of a Navy and Marine Corps amphibious task force. Forces will conduct amphibious assaults, live-fire opportunities, mine operations, Maritime Prepositioning of Force (MPF) training and sea-basing operations. (Photo by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan R. Waldman, 11TH MEU, Combat Camera/Released) - A Japanese landing craft air cushion (LCAC) lands on Red Beach as part of the initial offload for Exercise Dawn Blitz here, May 31, 2013. Dawn Blitz 2013 is an amphibious exercise testing U.S. and coalition forces in skills expected of a Navy and Marine Corps amphibious task force. Forces will conduct amphibious assaults, live-fire opportunities, mine operations, Maritime Prepositioning of Force (MPF) training and sea-basing operations. (Photo by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan R. Waldman, 11TH MEU, Combat Camera/Released)

11th MEU welcomes Japanese Forces to Camp Pendleton for multi-national amphibious exercise

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit command element, Combat Logistics Battalion 11, Camp Pendleton Supply Battalion, and Marine Aviation Logistics Support Squadron 39 conducted an In-Stream Offload with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) on Camp Pendleton’s Red Beach May 31.The offload was an administrative-amphibious

Read More