U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment prepare to enter and clear a room during the Intermediate Location (ILOC) event held at Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 10, 2026. ILOC is a pre-deployment event to ensure combat readiness, emphasizing small-unit leadership roles and responsibilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Claire Cheney)
U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment conduct a Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT) training segment for the Intermediate Location (ILOC) event held at Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 10, 2026. ILOC is a pre-deployment event to ensure combat readiness, emphasizing small-unit leadership roles and responsibilities. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Aaron TorresLemus)
T-minus 3, 2, 1… We have liftoff! The ground rumbled as the engines roared to life. Smoke and flames erupted out of the bottom as it began to lift into the sky, ascending higher until it was finally out of sight. There are some kids who see a rocket take off and begin to dream of becoming astronauts; there are some kids who make that dream come true.
