U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Darren Ascura, network administrator, Headquarters Company, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, hikes towards Tweed’s Cave at MCB Camp Blaz, Guam, Nov. 20, 2025. Tweed’s Cave is the historically significant site that was the hiding place of U.S. Navy Radioman First Class George R. Tweed during the Imperial Japanese occupation of the island of Guam during World War II, from Oct. 21, 1942, to July 10,1944. Tweed was seen as a symbol of the United States and CHamoru peoples’ friendship and bond, and the promise that the U.S. would return to end the occupation and atrocities that were committed during the Imperial Japanese occupation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rey Moreno Marilao)
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard D. Marshall Jr., commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Catching, senior enlisted leader, MCB Camp Blaz, and Lance Cpl. Afton Smiley, combat photographer, Headquarters Company, MCB Camp Blaz, pose for a group photo on MCB Camp Blaz, Guam, Nov. 20, 2025. Smiley’s sustained commitment to community engagement and her extensive volunteer work across the island were key factors in her selection for the Government of Guam Active Duty Veteran of the Year award. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brayden Daniel)
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Davis Williams, maintenance admin specialist, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, U.S. Marine Corps GySgt. Marcellous Dixon, legal service chief, MCB Camp Blaz, and Mr. Uriah Perez, community liaison specialist, MCB Camp Blaz, gather toys to donate for Toys for Tots at Macy's, Micronesia Mall, Guam, Nov. 22, 2025. MCB Camp Blaz partnered with the Guam Chambers of Commerce to purchase $3,000 worth of toys for the 2025 Toys for Tots campaign. Toys for Tots is a charitable program founded by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1947 to bring holiday joy to children in need. It has grown into a nationwide effort that distributes millions of toys each year, symbolizing hope, generosity, and community spirit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rey Moreno Marilao)
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kendell Jones, personnel non-commissioned officer in charge, Headquarters Company, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a training dummy with an automated external defibrillator during a CPR and AED course, on MCB Camp Blaz, Guam, Nov. 14, 2025. During the training, Marines learned proper CPR and AED assistance techniques. This allows them to become confident and proficient to respond in emergencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Afton Smiley)
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Brok McCuistion, military police, Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, applies Oleoresin Capsicum spray during an OC Course on MCB Camp Blaz, Guam, Nov. 4, 2025. The training marks the first OC course conducted on MCB Camp Blaz, expanding the installation’s training capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brayden Daniel)
U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, participate in a sword detail during the 250th Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Tumon, Guam, Nov. 7, 2025. The Marine Corps birthday ceremony honors the history, legacy and traditions passed down from generation to generation since the founding of the Corps on Nov. 10, 1775. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo by Senior Airman Jordan McCoy)
Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz prides itself on tradition and a strong set of values that guide its mission and community outreach. This year, as the Marine Corps celebrates 250 years of honorable service to our nation – Camp Blaz commemorates the milestone with participating in an island wide canned food drive, supporting the children of Guam.
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Dededo, Guam – On September 26th, Marines, and civilians with Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz participated in a village beautification initiative with the installation’s sister village – Dededo. This community relations (COMREL) event was aimed at fostering a mutual understanding between the people of Guam, military personnel, and their families. As part of the Joint Region Marianas' Sister Village program, COMRELs enable units to develop community connections, reinforce organizational values, and strengthen the military and federal government’s relationship with the local community.
As little as one can, CAN make a difference. From September 1st through October 1st, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz is participating in the island-wide CANstruction canned food drive. The initial goal is collecting “250 cans for 250 years of the Marine Corp”, the mission: collect canned goods to feed children across Guam. The donation drive supports CANstruction, a community event hosted by Be Heartfelt, and Tower for Humanity. The event provides the opportunity to serve as good stewards of Guam by addressing issues that affect one of the island’s most vulnerable populations – its children. Donations will benefit Be Heartfelt’s “Meal Pack Program” which feeds 350+ children weekly by packing and distributing discrete meals. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation across the installation, the initial goal of 250 cans has already been surpassed – but the effort isn’t stopping there. Donation drop boxes will remain available through October 1st. On October 4th, Marines will join the CANstruction “build day” at the Agana Shopping Center to transform the donated cans into a large-scale structure. On the 5th, the public is invited by Be Heartfelt to view the creations and participate in voting to recognize teams on their impressive structures and donation efforts. Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz remains committed to being a good neighbor and partner to the community, standing alongside Guam’s families in service and support.
DEDEDO, GU – It has now been 24 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 – the single deadliest attack on U.S. soil in the 21st century, resulting in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives. Before this tragedy, the last major attacks on American soil were over 50 years earlier, during World War II, with Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the entire island of Guam enduring assaults that targeted American citizens, service members, and our allies. More than two decades later, remembrance ceremonies continue across the nation and around the world to honor those who lost their lives, those affected, and those forever changed by the attacks. As service members around the world reflect on where they were and what they were doing on that day, the community on Guam unites to commemorate the event in partnership with military leaders, local leaders, residents, and first responders. Today, Marines stationed on Camp Blaz have a unique opportunity to reflect on the impact of the September 11th attacks, while living on an island that itself has endured hardship – including brutal attacks, massacres, and occupation. Positioned at the forefront of the Indo-Pacific region, we remain vigilant against emerging threats to our nation’s security with a sense of professionalism and service – core to our values. On September 11th, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 hits the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 0846 EST; 2246 CHST, followed by American Airlines Flight 175 hitting the South Tower at 0903EST; 2303 CHST, and finally American Airlines Flight 77 hitting the Pentagon at 0937 EST; 2337 CHST. The fourth hijacked flight, United Airlines Flight 93, intended for the U.S. Capital, crash lands near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, due to the courageous actions of passengers onboard.