1st Lt. David Pursel (center), the logistics officer with a police advisory team preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, talks to Afghan role-players at the Advisory Training Cell, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 28, alongside the rest of the Marines and sailors on his team. Talking with the role-players helped Pursel, a native of Jacksonville, N.C., and the rest of his team prepare for the cultural differences between themselves and the Afghans they will be working hand-in-hand with during their upcoming seven-month deployment to Washir district, Helmand province. - 1st Lt. David Pursel (center), the logistics officer with a police advisory team preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, talks to Afghan role-players at the Advisory Training Cell, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 28, alongside the rest of the Marines and sailors on his team. Talking with the role-players helped Pursel, a native of Jacksonville, N.C., and the rest of his team prepare for the cultural differences between themselves and the Afghans they will be working hand-in-hand with during their upcoming seven-month deployment to Washir district, Helmand province.

Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan (right), the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division and Sgt. Maj. Michael F. Jones (left), the sergeant major of 2nd MarDiv, took part in the deactivation ceremony for II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), April 18, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. The ceremony officially marked the end of II MEF (Fwd.)’s service after the unit’s year-long deployment to Afghanistan, during which time it served as the headquarters element of NATO’s Regional Command Southwest. - Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan (right), the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division and Sgt. Maj. Michael F. Jones (left), the sergeant major of 2nd MarDiv, took part in the deactivation ceremony for II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), April 18, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. The ceremony officially marked the end of II MEF (Fwd.)’s service after the unit’s year-long deployment to Afghanistan, during which time it served as the headquarters element of NATO’s Regional Command Southwest.

Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, attended counter improvised explosive device awareness training, April 17, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The training provided participants with a look at what tools and techniques are available to counter the threat of roadside bombs during deployment. - Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, attended counter improvised explosive device awareness training, April 17, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The training provided participants with a look at what tools and techniques are available to counter the threat of roadside bombs during deployment.

Sergeant Maj. Carl Green, outgoing sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Force, shares a word with Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, the commanding general of Marine Forces Europe and United States Marine Corps Forces Command, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Mar. 30. Green recently retired after 34 years of service in the Marine Corps. - Sergeant Maj. Carl Green, outgoing sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Force, shares a word with Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, the commanding general of Marine Forces Europe and United States Marine Corps Forces Command, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Mar. 30. Green recently retired after 34 years of service in the Marine Corps.