
ALT U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ethan Hutchison, an aviation communications technician with Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares an Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle during a vehicle load exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 5, 2026. Marines with MASS-2 and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, participated in a vehicle load exercise in preparation for expeditionary operations. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Hutchison is a native of Missouri. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tucker Mocan)

ALT U.S. Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, load an Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle onto a CH-53 Super Stallion during a vehicle load exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 5, 2026. Marines with MASS-2 and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, participated in a vehicle load exercise in preparation for expeditionary operations. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tucker Mocan)

ALT U.S. Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, load an Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle during a vehicle load exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 5, 2026. Marines with MASS-2 and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, participated in a vehicle load exercise in preparation for expeditionary operations. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tucker Mocan)

ALT A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II pilot assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts pre-flight inspections aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Oct. 5, 2026. The 13th MEU is currently underway aboard the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations demonstrating the United States’ long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Virtue)

ALT A U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), directs a U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364 (Reinforced), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prior to executing flight operations aboard Makin Island, Oct. 5, 2026. The 13th MEU is currently underway aboard the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations demonstrating the United States’ long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Virtue)

ALT U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364 (Reinforced), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), conduct pre-flight inspections aboard Makin Island, Oct. 5, 2026. The 13th MEU is currently underway aboard the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations demonstrating the United States’ long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Virtue)




































































