II MEF News

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.

Marines of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, participate in a boots and utilities run prior to doing the Dutch Water Obstacle Course, Oct. 22, 2010. Reconnaissance Marines carry their paddles with them throughout most physical training they undergo. - Marines of 2nd Platoon, Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, participate in a boots and utilities run prior to doing the Dutch Water Obstacle Course, Oct. 22, 2010. Reconnaissance Marines carry their paddles with them throughout most physical training they undergo.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Sandlin, a martial arts instructor trainer with Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, speaks to his students as they watch two instructors grapple during a demonstration, at School of Infantry (East), Camp Geiger, N.C., Oct. 20, 2010. Sandlin and Sgt. Robert Abrantes, who is also an instructor trainer, both participate in mixed martial arts in addition to their responsibilities as Marine Corps leaders and martial arts instructors. - Staff Sgt. Daniel Sandlin, a martial arts instructor trainer with Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, speaks to his students as they watch two instructors grapple during a demonstration, at School of Infantry (East), Camp Geiger, N.C., Oct. 20, 2010. Sandlin and Sgt. Robert Abrantes, who is also an instructor trainer, both participate in mixed martial arts in addition to their responsibilities as Marine Corps leaders and martial arts instructors.

Marines from Expeditionary Operations Branch, Special Operations Training Group, participate in helicopter rope suspension training aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 7, 2010. The day’s training focused on the practical application of fast rope training from the MV-22 Osprey. - Marines from Expeditionary Operations Branch, Special Operations Training Group, participate in helicopter rope suspension training aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 7, 2010. The day’s training focused on the practical application of fast rope training from the MV-22 Osprey.

Lance Cpl. Ethan Weisenberger, a logistics vehicle system operator with Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, links::r::::n:: a trailer to a Logistics Vehicle System Replacement MKR 16 tractor aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 28, 2010. Marines from all three Marine Expeditionary Forces worked together to properly field test two new logistics vehicles that the Marine Corps is researching.::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Ethan Weisenberger, a logistics vehicle system operator with Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, links::r::::n:: a trailer to a Logistics Vehicle System Replacement MKR 16 tractor aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 28, 2010. Marines from all three Marine Expeditionary Forces worked together to properly field test two new logistics vehicles that the Marine Corps is researching.::r::::n::

Marines of General Support Platoon, Military Police Support Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, breach and enter a house during a movement on urban terrain exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 7, 2010. The primary focus of the exercise was to test the Marines’ MOUT capabilities, with an emphasis on tactical site exploitation. - Marines of General Support Platoon, Military Police Support Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, breach and enter a house during a movement on urban terrain exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 7, 2010. The primary focus of the exercise was to test the Marines’ MOUT capabilities, with an emphasis on tactical site exploitation.