II MEF News

From left to right, U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. William L. Koeppe, career planner, Staff Sgt. Nils A. Aylor II, motor vehicle operator, U.S. Navy Hospitalman third class Josh A. Johnson, 8th Marine Regiment, lay wreaths during the 35th Beirut Memorial Observance Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, N.C., Oct. 23, 2018. A memorial observance is held on Oct. 23 of each year to remember those lives lost during the terrorist attacks at U.S. Marine Barracks, Beirut, Lebanon and Grenada. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isaiah Gomez) - From left to right, U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. William L. Koeppe, career planner, Staff Sgt. Nils A. Aylor II, motor vehicle operator, U.S. Navy Hospitalman third class Josh A. Johnson, 8th Marine Regiment, lay wreaths during the 35th Beirut Memorial Observance Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, N.C., Oct. 23, 2018. A memorial observance is held on Oct. 23 of each year to remember those lives lost during the terrorist attacks at U.S. Marine Barracks, Beirut, Lebanon and Grenada. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isaiah Gomez)

Marine Sgt. Cesar Garcia performs preventative maintenance on an AV-8B Harrier II during exercise Banzai Badlands in Sioux Falls, S.D., Oct. 11, 2019. Marine Attack Squadron 231 and the 114th Fighter Wing of the South Dakota Air National Guard participated in a three-day exercise consisting of simulated air-to-air combat and air-to-ground strikes. Garcia is an avionic technician with VMA-231, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin Umboh) - Marine Sgt. Cesar Garcia performs preventative maintenance on an AV-8B Harrier II during exercise Banzai Badlands in Sioux Falls, S.D., Oct. 11, 2019. Marine Attack Squadron 231 and the 114th Fighter Wing of the South Dakota Air National Guard participated in a three-day exercise consisting of simulated air-to-air combat and air-to-ground strikes. Garcia is an avionic technician with VMA-231, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin Umboh)

Cpl. Johnathan Marquez performs pre-flight checks on an AV-8B II Harrier attack jet before a training mission with the 175th Fighter Squadron, 114th Fighter Wing of the South Dakota Air National Guard at Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, South Dakota Oct. 4, 2019. Marine Attack Squadron 231 and the 114th FW are participating in force-on-force training consisting of simulated air-to-air combat and air-to-ground strikes to enhance interoperability and readiness. Marquez is a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic from VMA-231. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin Umboh) - Cpl. Johnathan Marquez performs pre-flight checks on an AV-8B II Harrier attack jet before a training mission with the 175th Fighter Squadron, 114th Fighter Wing of the South Dakota Air National Guard at Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, South Dakota Oct. 4, 2019. Marine Attack Squadron 231 and the 114th FW are participating in force-on-force training consisting of simulated air-to-air combat and air-to-ground strikes to enhance interoperability and readiness. Marquez is a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic from VMA-231. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin Umboh)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, gives a speech during the Maritime Preposition Force Staff Planning Course at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 11, 2019. This was an annual training course intended to help align II Marine Expeditionary Force and 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade with the Commandant’s Planning Guidance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, gives a speech during the Maritime Preposition Force Staff Planning Course at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 11, 2019. This was an annual training course intended to help align II Marine Expeditionary Force and 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade with the Commandant’s Planning Guidance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

Marines assigned to Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 await orders in the unit's command center during Exercise Pegasus Flight at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 1, 2019. MTACS-28 supported Pegasus Flight by planning, commanding, directing and supervising all air operations as the tactical air command center for the exercise. MTACS-28 is a part of Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Steven M. Walls) - Marines assigned to Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 await orders in the unit's command center during Exercise Pegasus Flight at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 1, 2019. MTACS-28 supported Pegasus Flight by planning, commanding, directing and supervising all air operations as the tactical air command center for the exercise. MTACS-28 is a part of Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Steven M. Walls)

U.S. Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit , provide security during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise in the vicinity of Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 19, 2019. Bataan is underway conducting a COMPTUEX with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gary Jayne III) - U.S. Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit , provide security during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission as part of Composite Training Unit Exercise in the vicinity of Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 19, 2019. Bataan is underway conducting a COMPTUEX with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gary Jayne III)

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Elissa Pedelty receives $1,000 and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her winning idea in designing an Environmental Control Unit (ECU) duct cover at MakerSpace, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on Oct. 16, 2019. MakerSpace facilitates the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Commanding General’s Innovation Challenge, where Marines and Sailors submit innovative ideas to design an interesting culture that explores new ideas to improve policies, procedures or products. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ashley Lawson) - U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Elissa Pedelty receives $1,000 and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her winning idea in designing an Environmental Control Unit (ECU) duct cover at MakerSpace, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on Oct. 16, 2019. MakerSpace facilitates the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Commanding General’s Innovation Challenge, where Marines and Sailors submit innovative ideas to design an interesting culture that explores new ideas to improve policies, procedures or products. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ashley Lawson)

U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit move and secure cargo aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) during composite training unit exercise in the Atlantic Ocean Oct. 9, 2019. Combat cargo Marines are key members of the team that ensure all gear and equipment is loaded safely and efficiently. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tanner Seims) - U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit move and secure cargo aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) during composite training unit exercise in the Atlantic Ocean Oct. 9, 2019. Combat cargo Marines are key members of the team that ensure all gear and equipment is loaded safely and efficiently. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tanner Seims)

Bernie McGrenahan, a stand-up comedian, performs his show ‘Comedy is the Cure’ to Marines of 2nd Marine Logistics Group at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 19, 2019. ‘Comedy for a Cure’ is a show that uses comedy and personal life testimony to educate audiences on the dangers of substance abuse. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Fatima Villatoro) - Bernie McGrenahan, a stand-up comedian, performs his show ‘Comedy is the Cure’ to Marines of 2nd Marine Logistics Group at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 19, 2019. ‘Comedy for a Cure’ is a show that uses comedy and personal life testimony to educate audiences on the dangers of substance abuse. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Fatima Villatoro)

U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, prepare to extract from a landing zone during a quick response force, full mission profile rehearsal in Thiés, Senegal, Aug. 5, 2019. The rehearsal increased the Marines’ ability to conduct link-up procedures, on scene and in-route trauma stabilization, and offensive and defensive operations. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Africa and promote regional stability by conducting military-to-military training exercises throughout Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Margaret Gale) - U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, prepare to extract from a landing zone during a quick response force, full mission profile rehearsal in Thiés, Senegal, Aug. 5, 2019. The rehearsal increased the Marines’ ability to conduct link-up procedures, on scene and in-route trauma stabilization, and offensive and defensive operations. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Africa and promote regional stability by conducting military-to-military training exercises throughout Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Margaret Gale)