CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (Augist 7, 2025): U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fire an M252 81 mm mortar during a fire support coordination exercise as a part of a battalion field exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 7, 2025. The battalion FEX tested Marines’ decision-making against a thinking enemy and incorporated a live-fire portion to reinforce combat lethality and operational efficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Torres)