U.S. Marines in a small boat speed alongside USS Somerset (LPD 25) in the Pacific Ocean on Nov. 5, 2020. The Marine's Hymn famously boasts, "We fight our country's battles in the air, on land, and sea."
A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter flies over the USS Somerset (LPD 25) and the FS Tonnerre (L9014) in the Bay of Bengal on April 7, 2021. The U.S. and French militaries routinely train together throughout the world.
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Andrew Rodriguez salutes as he jumps out of the back of a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter over Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Oct. 25, 2021. Reconnaissance Marines like Rodriguez are required to maintain training qualifications for a myriad of disciplines including skydiving and scuba diving.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chris Hill fires a 60mm mortar during a training exercise in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 17, 2021. Often carried by the lowest ranking member of the squad, the heavy 60mm mortar tubes are an invaluable asset to a company of Marines.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Anika Garnette looks over a column of AAV-P7 assault amphibious vehicles as an MV-22 Osprey flies overhead on Red Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on July 14, 2020. The AAVs were the backbone of the Marine Corps' ship-to-shore capability for over 40 years until they were removed from waterborne service following the sinking of the pictured vehicle a few weeks later.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Morgan Alger takes a nap in the back of an AAV-P7 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California on July 13, 2020. An important skill learned by all Marines is the ability to catch a few Z's in any clime and place.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andreu Mitchell looks through the sight of his M240B machine-gun while standing guard at Baledogle Military Airfield in Somalia on Jan. 8, 2021. Belt-fed and effective at ranges exceeding 1,000 meters, the M240 provides a reliable source of firepower for entrenched Marines.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zachary Underwoodzylak lays on a mat as he has his blood drawn aboard the USS Somerset (LPD 25) off the coast of Somalia on Dec. 22, 2020. All personnel aboard the ship with an O-negative blood type were ordered to have their blood drawn before the Marines were sent ashore to Somalia.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jonathan Rooney shows off his underwear aboard the USS Somerset (LPD 25) in the Red Sea on March 23, 2021. It is not uncommon for Marines living aboard a Navy ship to walk about their living spaces wearing little to no clothing.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Turner readies a cigarette during a small-boat reconnaissance mission off the shore of Kissmayo, Somalia on Dec. 27, 2020. As the small boats were tossed about in the 10-foot waves, turner exclaimed, "Smoke em' if you got em'," signaling a tactical pause to the rest of the Marines.