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Status of forces (as of May 30)
Active duty: 194,326
Selected Reserve: 39,398
Reservists on active duty: 2,417
Check out these sweet photos of Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific (FASTPAC) completing advanced driven combat drills in the South China Sea. Members of FAST are the guys who deployed to Libya in the wake of the Benghazi attacks on Sept. 11, 2012. They’re now training in the Pacific and conducting exercises and port visits to promote security and stability in the region.
Lance Cpl. Joshua Babcock, assigned to Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific (FASTPAC) fires an M-9 pistol during an advanced driven combat drill aboard the U.S 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Blue Ridge is on patrol in the South China Sea with Marines from FASTPAC and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Figueroa Medina/Navy)
Machinery Repairman Fireman Gabriel Donovan relays a message to the repair locker during a damage control drill aboard the U.S 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Blue Ridge is on patrol in the South China Sea. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Figueroa Medina/Navy)
Elsewhere, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines deactivated aboard Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii as part of the ongoing force restructuring taking place throughout the Marine Corps. The Battalion had its deactivation ceremony May 21. Most Marines who were with the unit will transfer to other batteries in the battalion.
Marines and sailors of Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment present Capt. Morris Sharber Jr., commanding officer of Echo Battery, 2nd Bn., 12th Marines with a gift after the battery’s deactivation ceremony at Dewey Square, May 21, 2013. (Kristen Wong/Marine Corps)
And in Japan, the 3rd Marine Logistics Group celebrated its 55th anniversary with a huge motivational run aboard Camp Kinser, pugil stick battles, and horseless chariot races. The Grecian helmets are a nice touch.
Marines and sailors compete in a chariot race May 24 during the 3rd Marine Logistics Group 55th anniversary celebration at Camp Kinser. Marines and sailors competed in various events at the field meet, such as pugil stick bouts, obstacle course relays, a tug-of-war challenge and volleyball tournament. The Marines and sailors are with 3rd MLG, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
(Lance Cpl. Jose Lujano/Marine Corps)
For more on what Marines are doing around the world, visit our status of forces map.
