Stories - Tag Alaska

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. James Ellis, the 3rd squad leader representing 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, directs his Marines while setting up an ambush during the 4th Marine Division Super Squad Competition at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 4, 2018. During the competition, squads from 1st and 3rd Battalions, 23rd Marine Regiment and 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, exercised their technical and tactical proficiencies by competing in events that highlighted offensive/defensive operations, patrolling techniques, combat marksmanship, physical endurance and small unit leadership. Ellis is a native of Eldon, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Peña) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. James Ellis, the 3rd squad leader representing 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, directs his Marines while setting up an ambush during the 4th Marine Division Super Squad Competition at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 4, 2018. During the competition, squads from 1st and 3rd Battalions, 23rd Marine Regiment and 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, exercised their technical and tactical proficiencies by competing in events that highlighted offensive/defensive operations, patrolling techniques, combat marksmanship, physical endurance and small unit leadership. Ellis is a native of Eldon, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Peña)

Faces of the Force: Sgt. James Ellis

Marine Forces Reserve consists of skilled warfighters who are not only prepared to serve their country at all times, but who are also prepared to support and provide in their local communities as well.

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Col. Charles Moses, the commanding officer of Marine Air Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing lands a C-130 onto the newly extended runway for the first time during Innovative Readiness Training Old Harbor, Alaska, Aug. 7, 2018. This year marks the completion of the 2,000-foot extension of Old Harbor’s runway. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tessa D. Watts) - Col. Charles Moses, the commanding officer of Marine Air Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing lands a C-130 onto the newly extended runway for the first time during Innovative Readiness Training Old Harbor, Alaska, Aug. 7, 2018. This year marks the completion of the 2,000-foot extension of Old Harbor’s runway. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tessa D. Watts)

IRT Old Harbor’s runway extension completed after six years

On a warm summer morning in Old Harbor, Alaska, on Aug. 7, 2018, six years of devotion from hundreds of Marines’ construction of a new 2,000-foot runway extension was unveiled to distinguished visitors and community members.

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Lance Cpl. Joel Carrizales, with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, plots his shots at the 25-yard-line while zeroing his weapon, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska, August 1, 2018. Super Squad Competitions were designed to evaluate a 14-man infantry squad throughout an extensive field and live-fire evolution. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Schwoch/released) - Lance Cpl. Joel Carrizales, with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, plots his shots at the 25-yard-line while zeroing his weapon, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska, August 1, 2018. Super Squad Competitions were designed to evaluate a 14-man infantry squad throughout an extensive field and live-fire evolution. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Schwoch/released)

4th MarDiv returns to Super Squad Competition in Alaska

Fourth Marine Division is taking on Alaska’s arctic terrain for the third year in a row as they return for the Marine Corps’ Annual Rifle Squad or “Super Squad” Competition. The previously acclaimed division competitions, dating back to 1957, were put on hold for over 12 years after 9/11 while Marine manpower requirements were focused on supporting conflicts in two separate theaters.

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Brig. Gen. Helen G. Pratt, commanding general of 4th Marine Logistics Group, talks with a child from Noatak, Alaska, during Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018, Noatak, April 21, 2018. - Brig. Gen. Helen G. Pratt, commanding general of 4th Marine Logistics Group, talks with a child from Noatak, Alaska, during Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018, Noatak, April 21, 2018. IRT Arctic Care 2018 is comprised of a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniilaq Service Area, April 16-24. Distinguished visitors from different military branches visited service members to thank them for their hard work and to tour the training areas in different villages. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Leaving a warm touch on the Arctic Circle

As the snow and ice continue to slowly disappear from the streets and local residents begin to shed their layers with the warmer weather approaching, service members with Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 wrap up their training and prepare to head back to their home units, Kotzebue, Alaska, April 25, 2018.

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Lance Cpl. Vicente C. Spence, a motor transportation operator with 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is currently 26 miles above the Arctic Circle participating with his unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. - Lance Cpl. Vicente C. Spence, a motor transportation operator with 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is currently 26 miles above the Arctic Circle participating with his unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. Arctic Care 2018 is a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniillaq Service Area April 16-24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Hometown Heroes of IRT Arctic Care 2018

Stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing flexibility are crucial to the success of every mission. Lance Cpl. Vicente C. Spence is a Hemet, California, native and Reserve Marine who is not afraid to take on new challenges and opportunities any chance he gets.

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Air Force Maj. Courtland Pitt, left, a Chaplin with 110th Medical Group, introduces Marine Corps Cpl. Chandarong Ouk, right, an embarkation specialist with 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, to a classroom of students during a career day at the Kotzebue Elementary School, Kotzebue, Alaska, April 19, 2018. - Air Force Maj. Courtland Pitt, left, a chaplain with 110th Medical Group, introduces Marine Corps Cpl. Chandarong Ouk, right, an embarkation specialist with 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, to a classroom of students during a career day at the Kotzebue Elementary School, Kotzebue, Alaska, April 19, 2018. Service members supporting IRT Arctic Care had the opportunity to speak with students about their military and civilian careers, as well as answer questions and get to know the children of the community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Strengthening Ties around the Land of the Midnight Sun

Buried beneath layers of clothing, taking caution with each passing step on the slick ice, and working hard to take cover from the numbing wind, I walk the streets of Kotzebue, Alaska, better known as the “Gateway to the Arctic.”

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Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Villaluz, the dental officer in charge of Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is participating with his unit at IRT Arctic Care in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. - Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Villaluz, the dental officer in charge of Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is participating with his unit at IRT Arctic Care in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. Arctic Care 2018 is comprised of a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniillaq Service Area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Hometown Heroes of IRT Arctic Care 2018

Strengthening and building new partnerships with culturally complex populations in remote areas of the United States is a key goal of the Innovative Readiness Training Program. Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Villaluz is a Vancouver, Washington, native and Reserve Sailor who plays a key role in developing and maintaining those lasting bonds.

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Petty Officer 3rd Class Victor A. Gonzalez, a dental technician with 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is participating with his unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Victor A. Gonzalez, a dental technician with 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is participating with his unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. Arctic Care 2018 is comprised of a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniillaq Service Area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Hometown Heroes of IRT Arctic Care 2018

Discipline. The foundation of every successful Marine and Sailor. Petty Officer 3rd Class Victor A. Gonzalez is a Plano, Texas, native and Reserve Sailor who through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, instills a number of mental and character discipline requirements in his students to develop their Warrior Ethos.

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Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon J. Gilliam, a command career counselor/dental assistant on Inspector-Instructor duty based out of Atlanta with 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is currently 26 miles above the Arctic Circle with his unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon J. Gilliam, a command career counselor/dental assistant on Inspector-Instructor duty based out of Atlanta with 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is currently 26 miles above the Arctic Circle with his unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. Arctic Care 2018 was comprised of a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniillaq Service Area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Hometown Heroes of IRT Arctic Care 2018

Throughout the United States, there are active duty Marines and Sailors who contribute to the continuous state of readiness of the military by instructing and assisting Selected Marine Corps Reserve units.

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Maj. Lisbeth M. Andriessen, the Innovative Readiness Training program manager for Marine Forces Reserve, embraces the elements 26 miles above the Arcitc Circle in Kotzebue, Alaska, where she is overseeing the execution of IRT Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough, April 13-27, 2018. - Maj. Lisbeth M. Andriessen, the Innovative Readiness Training program manager for Marine Forces Reserve, embraces the elements 26 miles above the Arcitc Circle in Kotzebue, Alaska, where she is overseeing the execution of IRT Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough, April 13-27, 2018. IRT Arctic Care 2018 is a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniillaq Service Area April 16-24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Hometown Heroes of IRT Arctic Care 2018

Reserve Marines typically spend two weeks each year building their capabilities at an Annual Training exercise and one weekend each month supporting their active duty counterparts. Maj. Lisbeth M. Andriessen is a Portland, Indiana, native and Reserve Marine who knew she wanted to serve more.

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