U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Stephen Knego, commanding officer of Ares Company, 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, hands a Philippine Marine with the Coastal Defense Regiment, a piece of cake as part of a ceremony during KAMANDAG 7 at Paredes Air Station, Philippines, Nov. 10, 2023. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at improving multinational readiness, relationships, and mutual capabilities in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the seventh iteration of this exercise and includes participants from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and observers from the United Kingdom. The ceremony celebrated the 248th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps and included service members from the Philippine Marine Corps, 3d MLR, and 3d Marine Logistics Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons)