From July 8 to August 10, Marines from Combat Logistics Regiment 45, based in Marietta, Georgia, undertook critical repairs on the Kelly Levee in Bladen County, North Carolina, as part of Innovative Readiness Training’s (IRT) Operation Atlantic Defender.
The IRT program stands out as a unique initiative, offering joint training experiences that enhance military deployment readiness while providing valuable, no-cost services—ranging from healthcare and construction to transportation and cybersecurity—to communities nationwide.
“We ran two separate two-week rotations, each with about 50 Marines,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kolin Craig, Operation Atlantic Defender officer in charge. “Our goal was clear: restore the...
Service members provide no-cost healthcare while sharpening their real-world skills during the Operation Healthy Ellwood Innovative Readiness Training mission in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, from July 23 to Aug. 1, 2025. The IRT mission is to produce mission-ready forces through military training opportunities that provide key services for American communities. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. John Rossi)
Music credit:
Title: Sunset Skyline
Composers: Grant Alexander Strang [PRS] 100%
Publishers: Ninja Tune Production Music [PRS] 100%
Album: Anthemic Euphoric Electronic
Catalog: NTP129
Track number: NTP129-8
Labels: Ninja Tune Production Music
German Label Code: LC 97103
ISRC: GB-CFB-18-89084
Marines from Combat Logistics Regiment 45, Marietta, Georgia, gather around a levee mock-up to discuss operations during Innovative Readiness Training’s (IRT) Operation Atlantic Defender in Kelly, North Carolina, July 22, 2025. The mission focused on making repairs to the Kelly Levee which incurred 17 breaches after Hurricane Florence in 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Rachelle Morris)
