The United States Marine Corps plays a special role in the stability and status quo of the Pacific region as a rapid response force in the islands and edges of the Pacific. The Marines are an offensive force that can be mobilized on sea, air and land quickly and have their own Air Force to provide a full spectrum capability. The U.S. Marines have ground to air defensive Stinger interceptors that are hand-held and shoulder-fired to defend their forward based air power.

U.S. Marines are deployed to two critical islands in the Pacific: Okinawa and Guam. These islands provide rapid amphibious access into the East China Sea and the South China Sea from Okinawa with air lift capability from Guam. These two islands also have U.S. Army land based Air and Missile Defense systems to protect and defend air power projection, civilian populations on the islands as well as the U.S. Marines stationed there.  A combination of offensive and defensive deterrence is strengthened by the natural marriage of air and sea power capabilities, the U.S. Marines and the missile defense systems on these islands.

Great heroic deeds and sacrifices of thousands upon thousands of lives by the U.S. Marines were given by the United States in World War II to secure these strategic islands, enabling them to provide peace and stability in the region from the end of hostilities in 1945 through the present day, and into the immediate future.

We recognize the U.S. Marines for their valor, bravery and history of ultimate sacrifice, and for enabling deterrence to maintain peace in the Pacific region today.

It was an honor to join the 4th Division, 23rd Regiment of the United States Marine Corps at its leadership development conference in San Francisco this past weekend.

Semper Fi!