RILEY XANTEN II

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Daniel EsquerMontoya, an Automotive Maintenance Technician with Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, and Sgt. Michael Weeks, Fire Support Marine with Fox Battery, demonstrate the use of a small burner to melt snow into water during exercise Arctic Edge 2024 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Feb. 25, 2024. EsquerMontoya and Weeks conducted a comprehensive cold weather class, covering essential techniques needed for successful operations in extreme cold weather environments and enhancing the Marines' preparedness for arctic conditions. Arctic Edge 2024 (AE24) is a U.S. Northern Command-led homeland defense exercise showcasing the military's capabilities in extreme cold weather, highlighting joint force readiness, and reinforcing the U.S. military's commitment to mutual strategic security interests in the arctic region. EsquerMontoya is a native of Garland, Colorado. Weeks is a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Madisyn Paschal)