Marine Corps

DARWIN, Northern Territory, Australia — U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 completed a six-month rotation to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, closing a deployment marked by a series of multinational exercises and partnership engagements across the Indo-Pacific region from April to October.

The rotational deployment is part of a 25-year agreement established in 2011 between the United States and Australia to strengthen shared security goals under the Australian-U.S. Force Posture Initiatives. This year marks the third consecutive year the rotation was led by a California-based Marine infantry regiment, bringing approximately 2,000 U.S. Marines and Sailors to Australia’s Northern Territory for exercises and training events alongside the Australian Defence Force.

During the rotation, U.S. Marines and Sailors with MRF-D 24.3 supported I Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s operations, activities, and investments, enhancing the U.S-Australia alliance. As a forward-postured, scalable force capable of responding to crises and contingencies, MRF-D 24.3 participated in 16 large-scale exercises and operations across multiple countries, including but not limited to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

“The time the Marines and Sailors have spent in Darwin has been incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian T. Mulvihill, the commanding officer of the MRF-D 24.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force. “The Australian people have welcomed us like family, and our training with the Australian Defence Force has been tough and realistic and has enhanced our unit readiness.”

MRF-D 24.3 deployed as a MAGTF comprised of four elements: 5th Marine Regiment served as the command element; 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced) served as the ground combat element; Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced) served as the logistics combat element; and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced) served as the aviation combat element.

MAGTF elements rehearsed humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, amphibious integration, and participated in multinational combined-arms training, becoming better prepared to respond to crisis or contingencies alongside our Allies and partners. Advancements in joint logistics allowed MRF-D to expand distribution networks and improve contracted support for faster transport of repair supplies. U.S. Navy medical personnel made notable contributions to health initiatives during the deployment, through leading fresh whole-blood transfusion training, supporting mental health programs with the ADF, and earning certifications to work alongside Australian healthcare professionals in the Royal Darwin Hospital. MRF-D 24.3 highlighted the strong Australian-U.S. Alliance and advanced partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region through a series of combined training events, collaboration and shared commemoration.

“The bond with our Australian Defence Force brothers and sisters is as strong as it has ever been,” said Mulvihill. “Through interoperability with the Australian Defence Force, their professionalism and expertise have made our units more ready, contributing to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.”

MEMPHIS, Tenn. —Navy League Memphis, Navy Recruiting Command, Navy Personnel Command and Navy Talent Acquisition Group Nashville partnered to bring Naval Aviation Orientation Day for Mid-South Students to experience at the Wilson Air Center on October 30, 2024.

Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), aviation and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes from Tennessee and Mississippi got to explore a variety of military aircraft from Norfolk, Virginia; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Pensacola, Florida and other locations around the nation. They also got to meet members of the Navy’s esports team, Goats & Glory; the U.S. Naval Academy admissions office; Navy and Marine Corps recruiters; and members of the U.S. Coast Guard.

“Navy Aviation Orientation and Wine Under Wings are great opportunities for us to support our sea services and our community, civilian personnel and business partners,” said Victor V. Cooper, Navy League President. “We have a vested interest in seeing our young generation succeed and become valuable and productive citizens because our future is in their hands.”

The Navy eSports team brought Street Fighter 6 and Super Smash Bros. video games to give the students an opportunity to play a one-on-one match against their team members.

“We always love the opportunity to connect with our local community,” said Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Priestley, a Navy eSports team member “Students lined up the entire day to get the chance to play against us. We really enjoy these events because it helps us keep our edge competitively in a fun and engaging way.”

Students got to view The Blue Angels film that was displayed on a large screen in the hangar. Three former Blue Angels got to interact with students and answered questions they had about their experiences as a Blue Angel.

“It’s been a great opportunity for us to showcase the Navy, Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard,” said Cmdr. Chip Boogerd, U.S. Navy, retired, a former Blue Angel. “We enjoy sharing the opportunity afforded them if they join the military.”

Navy Recruiting Command consists of a command headquarters, two Navy Recruiting Regions and 26 Navy Recruiting Districts that serve more than 1,477 recruiting stations across the country. Their mission is to leverage an inspirational culture to inform, attract, influence and hire the highest quality candidates from America’s diverse talent pool to allow America’s Navy to assure mission success and establish the foundation for Sailors to thrive in a life-changing experience.

FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico—As part of the installation’s commitment to the success of service members from pre-enlistment to post-separation, the Fort Buchanan’s Retirement Services Office prepares service members and their families for retirement, assists survivors of military personnel who die on active duty, and serves retired soldiers, surviving spouses, and their families.

Miguel Aponte is the Retirement Services Officer at the only U.S. Army installation in the Caribbean.

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“I care for all retirees, active, reserve, and guardsman, no matter what branch of service. I am available to assist with their retirement package, among many other things,” said Aponte.

Aponte’s commitment and dedication to his customers is evident in the support he provides to surviving family members after the veteran dies.

“I receive widows in my office and help them process their Survival Benefit Plan. Also, I help siblings with their benefits when they qualify,” he stated.

Aponte, also a retired veteran, reflects on the needs of his customers.

“Many customers have difficulty communicating in English. I can certainly help. It saddens me to see veterans come from miles away to change a banking account. Any retiree who has pay issues can come to me. They can stop by for assistance if they need to change their bank account or address and are not computer savvy. I have a direct line with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service,” said Aponte.

The Retirement Services Office’s services to the veterans and retirees in Puerto Rico and the region showcase how the installation fulfills its enduring commitment to service members and families.

The Retirement Services Office is at the installation’s Welcome Center, Building 152, Patriot Blvd., Fort Buchanan. For more information, please call (787) 707-2061 or email [email protected]

With an annual investment in the local economy of more than $500 million, Fort Buchanan serves a diverse military community of approximately 15,000 active-duty Reserve, National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, and Navy Reserve personnel. Fort Buchanan’s mission is to serve as a readiness enabler platform to facilitate the deployment of military personnel anywhere, anytime.