II MEF News

Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Owens, Deputy Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks with news reporters about the future of amphibious operations in the Marine Corps during Exercise Bold Alligator 2011 - the first brigade-level amphibious exercise conducted in ten years since the Corps' involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. - Brig. Gen. Christopher S. Owens, Deputy Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks with news reporters about the future of amphibious operations in the Marine Corps during Exercise Bold Alligator 2011 - the first brigade-level amphibious exercise conducted in ten years since the Corps' involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A landing craft air cushion heaves through a near-shore swell on Camp Pendleton's Red Beach coastline during assault training exercise Dawn Blitz. The weeklong Navy/Marine exercise involved 4500 sailors and Marines, seven ships, 60 amphibious assault vehicles, 16 landing craft air cushion and numberous fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. - A landing craft air cushion heaves through a near-shore swell on Camp Pendleton's Red Beach coastline during assault training exercise Dawn Blitz. The weeklong Navy/Marine exercise involved 4500 sailors and Marines, seven ships, 60 amphibious assault vehicles, 16 landing craft air cushion and numberous fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.

Marines of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, navigate through the Dutch Water Obstacle Course Nov. 11, 2010. The Marines completed the water obstacle course as part of the Tri Deux Colours International Competition. - Marines of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, navigate through the Dutch Water Obstacle Course Nov. 11, 2010. The Marines completed the water obstacle course as part of the Tri Deux Colours International Competition.

Marines of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, pose for a group photo Oct. 29, 2010. The Marines celebrated the Corps’ 235th birthday at a hotel in Willemstad, Curacao. - Marines of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, pose for a group photo Oct. 29, 2010. The Marines celebrated the Corps’ 235th birthday at a hotel in Willemstad, Curacao.

Marines of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, are inserted and extracted from the water during dive training in Curacao, Nov. 1, 2010. The Royal Netherlands Marines were present at the training to provide boat support for the training. - Marines of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, are inserted and extracted from the water during dive training in Curacao, Nov. 1, 2010. The Royal Netherlands Marines were present at the training to provide boat support for the training.

Sergeant Maj. William F. Fitzgerald III, the sergeant major of United States Marine Corps Forces South, talks with Marines of Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, about their sniper rifles, Oct. 28, 2010. Fitzgerald received a demonstration of the weapons systems and also fired them. - Sergeant Maj. William F. Fitzgerald III, the sergeant major of United States Marine Corps Forces South, talks with Marines of Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, about their sniper rifles, Oct. 28, 2010. Fitzgerald received a demonstration of the weapons systems and also fired them.

Marines of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, receive instruction on the proper way to conduct immediate action drills with the M9 pistol Oct. 22, 2010. The Marines spent three days practicing marksmanship with the M4 carbine, the M240 squad automatic weapon, the M9-A1 pistol, the M107 special applications scoped rifle and the M40-A5 sniper rifle. - Marines of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, receive instruction on the proper way to conduct immediate action drills with the M9 pistol Oct. 22, 2010. The Marines spent three days practicing marksmanship with the M4 carbine, the M240 squad automatic weapon, the M9-A1 pistol, the M107 special applications scoped rifle and the M40-A5 sniper rifle.

A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, surfaces for air during underwater scout swimming training aboard Royal Netherlands Marine Corps Base Camp Suffisant, Curacao, Oct. 19, 2010. The training focused not only on pushing the Marines physically, but also on improving confidence in their abilities. - A Marine with 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, surfaces for air during underwater scout swimming training aboard Royal Netherlands Marine Corps Base Camp Suffisant, Curacao, Oct. 19, 2010. The training focused not only on pushing the Marines physically, but also on improving confidence in their abilities.

A team leader with 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, demonstrates how to properly navigate through an obstacle Oct. 22, 2010. A combination of jungle terrain, mountains, the ocean and the locations of Dutch marine bases make the island of Curacao an optimal place to conduct amphibious operations training with Dutch marines. - A team leader with 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, demonstrates how to properly navigate through an obstacle Oct. 22, 2010. A combination of jungle terrain, mountains, the ocean and the locations of Dutch marine bases make the island of Curacao an optimal place to conduct amphibious operations training with Dutch marines.

A Reconnaissance Marine of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares for the stalking portion of the competition by disguising himself with vegetation in Aruba, Nov. 10, 2010. Stalking was the first part of the competition that the Marines competed in for a score. - A Reconnaissance Marine of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares for the stalking portion of the competition by disguising himself with vegetation in Aruba, Nov. 10, 2010. Stalking was the first part of the competition that the Marines competed in for a score.