In a momentous event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, history was made as the 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, activated the Marine Corps’ inaugural long-range missile battery. The ceremony held on July 21 marked the birth of a new era for the Corps, as they embraced the capability of the Tomahawk cruise missile to bolster their long-range strike and sea denial capabilities.
A U.S. Marine Corps Long Range Fires Launcher is staged for the activation ceremony for Long Range Missile Battery A, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 21, 2023. The activation of the battery is a major step in providing 1st MARDIV with additional long range missile and over-the-horizon fire support capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Migel A. Reynosa)
In response to the ever-increasing combatant command and national intelligence requirements in the Indo-Pacific region, the 55th Operations Group Detachment 1 has been recently established at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). The primary goal of this new detachment is to serve as a strategic launch and recovery point for RC-135V/W Rivet Joint operations and exercises within the region. This development comes as a significant step towards providing the necessary flexibility and responsiveness needed to meet the growing intelligence demands in the area.
From Aug. 4th to 8th, Komatsu air base in Japan will witness a historic joint exercise, as the Italian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force come together to improve tactical skills and foster mutual understanding.
From Jul. 2-21, United States service members came together in Northern Edge 2023-2, a joint field training exercise held at various locations in the Pacific region. This year’s exercise, organized by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, marks a significant departure from its traditional Alaskan setting, as it explores alternate locations within the region, including a Joint Exercise Control Group operating from Hawaii. The exercise’s goal is to deliver a comprehensive and highly realistic training experience, enhancing the readiness of participating forces through interoperability challenges across joint, multinational, and multi-domain operations.
The Raytheon Multi-Program Testbed takes off during exercise Northern Edge 23-2 at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 12, 2023. The RMT uses a combination of radar and electronic intelligence sensors to capture information on simulated threats which is then passed on to allied players for enhanced command and control. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sebastian Romawac)