II MEF News

A Marine with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion checks around a corner to ensure that there are no enemy forces with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion a threat during a raid exercise as part of pre-deployment training at Fort Stewart, Ga., Dec. 6, 2017. Marines carried out the raid following their reconnaissance and surveillance exercises to emulate scenarios they may encounter with future operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Taylor W. Cooper) - A Marine with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion checks around a corner to ensure that there are no enemy forces with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion a threat during a raid exercise as part of pre-deployment training at Fort Stewart, Ga., Dec. 6, 2017. Marines carried out the raid following their reconnaissance and surveillance exercises to emulate scenarios they may encounter with future operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Taylor W. Cooper)

An Afghan Air Force tactical air controller scouts notional targets for MD-530 helicopters during an ATAC training exercise at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2017. Several ATACs worked to enhance their aircraft directing skills with assistance from coalition advisors in preparation for future operations in Helmand province. Tactical air controllers often travel with ground force elements on the battlefield to direct airstrikes onto Taliban targets, allowing for better maneuver and safety of Afghan forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - An Afghan Air Force tactical air controller scouts notional targets for MD-530 helicopters during an ATAC training exercise at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2017. Several ATACs worked to enhance their aircraft directing skills with assistance from coalition advisors in preparation for future operations in Helmand province. Tactical air controllers often travel with ground force elements on the battlefield to direct airstrikes onto Taliban targets, allowing for better maneuver and safety of Afghan forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

Charging forward: 1/2 assaults the objective, completes live-fire range - A Marine with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment bounds during a live-fire range at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 13, 2017. The live-fire range consisted of squad attacks where Marines maneuvered toward and eliminated an objective, enabling them to improve the squad leaders’ ability to communicate and direct their Marines. The infantry Marines’ mission is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver or repel the enemy’s assault with fire and close combat. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)

Marines with 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group came together to compete during the 2nd annual Commander’s Cup competition at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 1, 2017. - Marines with 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group compete in a Tug o’ War match during 2nd TSB’s Commander’s Cup 2017 at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 1, 2017. The competition included an obstacle course, assembly and disassembly of the M240B medium machine gun, maneuver under fire course, tire flip relay race, log tossing, Tug o’ War and pugil stick battle. The Marines improved their physical fitness and strengthening their unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Abrey D. Liggins)

The Afghan National Army 215th Corps color guard marches the Afghan national colors past Helmand province and Afghan National Defense and Security Force key leaders during a graduation ceremony at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2017. The ceremony marked the end of the 6th Kandak, 1st Brigade 215th Corps’ operational readiness cycle, an eight-week course led by Afghan instructors at the Helmand Regional Military Training Center. Approximately 350 soldiers with the unit trained to enhance their infantry capabilities and will support Afghan National Defense and Security Force combat operations throughout the province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lucas Hopkins) - The Afghan National Army 215th Corps color guard marches the Afghan national colors past Helmand province and Afghan National Defense and Security Force key leaders during a graduation ceremony at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2017. The ceremony marked the end of the 6th Kandak, 1st Brigade 215th Corps’ operational readiness cycle, an eight-week course led by Afghan instructors at the Helmand Regional Military Training Center. Approximately 350 soldiers with the unit trained to enhance their infantry capabilities and will support Afghan National Defense and Security Force combat operations throughout the province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lucas Hopkins)

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment posts security during a military operations on urbanized terrain exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 21, 2017. The Marines conducted MOUT training to maintain combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin) - A Marine with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment posts security during a military operations on urbanized terrain exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 21, 2017. The Marines conducted MOUT training to maintain combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin)

Artillery Marines with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment set security during a training patrol as they are given instruction on patrolling fundamentals by Sgt. Timothy Buntting, an infantry squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 14, 2017. The infantry Marines taught the artillerymen advanced patrolling tactics in preparation for their upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin) - Artillery Marines with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment set security during a training patrol as they are given instruction on patrolling fundamentals by Sgt. Timothy Buntting, an infantry squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 14, 2017. The infantry Marines taught the artillerymen advanced patrolling tactics in preparation for their upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin)

Afghan National Army soldiers with 6th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps insert notionally wounded soldiers into an Mi-17 helicopter during casualty evacuation training at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Nov. 19, 2017. The Helmand Regional Military Training Center implemented its first iteration of CASEVAC training using Afghan air assets as part of the operational readiness cycle to help prepare its students for real-world missions. U.S. advisors assigned to various train, advise, assist commands from throughout Afghanistan observed the training in preparation for integrating standardized CASEVAC rehearsals into their unit’s ORCs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Afghan National Army soldiers with 6th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps insert notionally wounded soldiers into an Mi-17 helicopter during casualty evacuation training at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Nov. 19, 2017. The Helmand Regional Military Training Center implemented its first iteration of CASEVAC training using Afghan air assets as part of the operational readiness cycle to help prepare its students for real-world missions. U.S. advisors assigned to various train, advise, assist commands from throughout Afghanistan observed the training in preparation for integrating standardized CASEVAC rehearsals into their unit’s ORCs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

Afghan National Army Command Sgt. Maj. Roshan, right, the senior enlisted advisor to the President of Afghanistan, offers remarks to U.S. and Afghan military personnel during a warfighter forum at Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 15, 2017. The warfighter forum was a two-day event bringing together senior enlisted leaders from the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and their U.S. counterparts to discuss solutions to challenges such as accountability, mortuary affairs and female integration in order to further professionalize the Afghan forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Afghan National Army Command Sgt. Maj. Roshan, right, the senior enlisted advisor to the President of Afghanistan, offers remarks to U.S. and Afghan military personnel during a warfighter forum at Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 15, 2017. The warfighter forum was a two-day event bringing together senior enlisted leaders from the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and their U.S. counterparts to discuss solutions to challenges such as accountability, mortuary affairs and female integration in order to further professionalize the Afghan forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

Afghan National Defense and Security Force key leaders discuss follow-on actions for Operation Maiwand Seven at Bost Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 15, 2017. U.S. Marines with Task Force Southwest are collaborating with their Afghan partners throughout the operation. Multiple elements of Helmand-based ANDSF are clearing the Nad’Ali district to remove Taliban insurgents, promoting stability and security for the local populace as a result. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff) - Afghan National Defense and Security Force key leaders discuss follow-on actions for Operation Maiwand Seven at Bost Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 15, 2017. U.S. Marines with Task Force Southwest are collaborating with their Afghan partners throughout the operation. Multiple elements of Helmand-based ANDSF are clearing the Nad’Ali district to remove Taliban insurgents, promoting stability and security for the local populace as a result. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff)