Marine Corps Installations West

Headquarters and Support Battalion hosted a 242 mile run and cake cutting ceremony in celebration of the Marine Corps' 242nd birthday. Marines from each company took turns running two miles in teams until they reached 242. The event provided a safe and motivational way to celebrate the Marine corps' birthday. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Lukas Kalinauskas.)

On October 23, 1983, at around 06:22 Beirut time, a stake-bed truck carrying explosives drove directly into the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines barracks in Beirut, Lebanon and exploded. The force of the explosion collapsed the four-story building into rubble, crushing to death 241 American servicemen, majority of them being U.S. Marines. The Marines were part of a Multi-National Peacekeeping Force meant to oversee the peaceful withdrawal of the Palestine Liberation Organization from Lebanon. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by LCpl. Dylan Chagnon)

The Marines of Weapons and Field Training Battalion on Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, Calif., are responsible for training recruits in rifle marksmanship and designated Marine Corps Common Skills. The personnel and instructors are an integral part of the transformation from recruit to basically trained Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Desiree D King)

U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Support Battalion host J. Wayne Day on Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 28, 2017. J. Wayne Day is an event that gives spouses, friends and families of Marines a chance to participate in multiple Marine Corps activities such as Marine Corps Martial Arts, Rifle Live Fire and Fire Crash and Rescue drills followed by various demonstrations and displays. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Lance Cpl. Desiree D King)

The Recon Challenge is a 25-mile endurance course where Recon Marines aboard Camp Pendleton, California endure a myriad of challenges and tests in the basic fundamentals of being a Reconnaissance Marine. From hiking through roughly 15 miles of difficult terrain with 50 pounds of gear, to a grueling 2,000 meter swim to shore from the icy Pacific Ocean, Marines are presented with a number of challenges along the way, including obstacle courses, weapons firing and operations, and swim tactics. A total of 27 two-man teams competed this year, each team wearing the name of a fallen recon Marine on their packs. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by LCpl. Dylan Chagnon/Released)