Marine Leaders of The Americas Conference (MLAC) 2025

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Walter Hix, a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, in support of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force UNITAS LXIII, fires a M134 GAU-17 minigun while conducting a close air support drill as part of exercise UNITAS LXIII at Santa Cruz Air Force Base, Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 8, 2022. UNITAS is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during littoral and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility. Hix is a native of Arab, Alabama. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonathan L. Gonzalez)