An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Nov. 30, 2017

U.S. Marines and Sailors Having Each Other's Backs Since 1775

By Lance Cpl. Andy Martinez 1st Marine Aircraft Wing

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- From the time when the U.S. Navy began, groups of specifically trained, maritime infantry have accompanied them.

Since November 10, 1775, when Congress approved the establishment of two Marine battalions, as America's expeditionary force in readiness, the U.S. Marine Corps has teamed with the Navy to form an irreplaceable expeditionary force whose mission remains crucial to the security of the U.S.

That tradition continued following the tragic crash of a U.S. Navy C-2A Greyhound cargo aircraft embarked with the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, Nov. 22, 2017. Filling an urgent operational need, Marines stepped up to support Ronald Reagan’s cargo and logistics mission within days.

Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, provided aerial support with MV-22B Ospreys to the Sailors of Atsugi Naval Base and the USS Ronald Reagan through the transportation of personnel, aircraft maintenance parts and other cargo.

“VMM-265 (Rein.) is always postured to help when our leadership tasks us to any military unit or service in need, whether to enable training or during times of internal need such as [Carrier Air Wing Five] and the [USS Ronald Reagan],” said Maj. Geoffrey "Finkle" Blumenfeld, VMM-265’s (Rein.) operations officer.

The Marine Corps being a fighting force, first and foremost, Marines do not recruit or train noncombatants such as chaplains, medical, or dental personnel, but the Navy fill these roles. Naval personnel have been assimilated with the Marines since the beginning.

Navy Corpsmen have rushed into battle alongside Marines since the Navy Hospital Corps establishment on June 17, 1898. Supporting Marines in every conflict, from the Spanish-American War to Operation Inherent Resolve, hospital corpsmen have been providing medical support and saving Marine’s lives on the front lines.

Marines and Sailors even share many naval traditions, especially terminology and customs.

Marines work on “decks” (floors), look out of “portholes” (windows), and walk through “hatches” (doors) just as their brethren, Sailors. The Marine Corps wears the Navy variant of many awards; with few exceptions, the awards and badges of the Navy and Marine Corps are identical.

The Navy continues to partner with the Marines in creating rich history, such as the Iwo Jima flag raising with the five Marines and Navy corpsman.

The dynamic relationship between the two organizations assisted Marines to earn the reputation as America’s 911 force and with the Navy ships, allow them to respond to a wide range of military operations, from humanitarian assistance missions to combat operations, at a moment’s notice, not only in the Asia-Pacific region, but around the globe.

“[VMM-265’s (Rein)] hearts are with Carrier Air Wing Five and the USS Ronald Reagan and families of the aircrew during their time of mourning,” said Blumenfeld.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,182
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

AUKUS Trilateral Statement
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - The Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia; the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom; and Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense,...

U.S., India launch Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024
Courtesy Photo
March 21, 2024 - Indian and U.S. combined armed forces began Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024 with the arrival of amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), March 18 and an opening ceremony March 19.This is the third time U.S. and...

USACE: Ensuring Safety Every Step of the Way
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work in Japan for all military services and agencies. With over 60 years of experience in designing and constructing facilities in Japan, JED possesses the experience in Japanese standards and specifications, regulations, construction practices, maintenance requirements, and culture needed to ensure facilities are built with the utmost safety and professionalism. Photo by Charles Maib.
March 21, 2024 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work...

THAAD Battery in Guam Successfully Completes Table VIII Evaluation
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense launcher used by E-3 Air Defense Artillery THAAD Battery as part of their Table VIII certification in Dededo, Guam, March 13, 2024. The THAAD battery, equipped with a state-of-the-art missile defense system, is tasked with defending Guam against ballistic missile threats. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. Trevor Wild)
March 21, 2024 - In a testament to readiness and operational excellence, Task Force Talon's E-3 ADA THAAD Battery conducted a Table VIII evaluation for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system stationed in Guam, March 11-15,...