II Marine Expeditionary Force

Come to Fight. Come to Win.

Official U.S. Marine Corps Website

Current Ops

Current Ops 1 of {y} Exercise Nordic Response 24

01

3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division conduct 8k movement

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division stage tucker terra model 1600 sno-cats in preparation for an 8 kilometer...

02

Distribution Support Battalion Conducts Helicopter Support Team Operations

U.S. Marines with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, conduct helicopter support team...

03

24th MEU Flight Operations on USS Wasp

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), lands aboard the USS...

04

Norwegian Representatives visit II MEF

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Eric Thompson, center right, the Chief of Staff for II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF), and Norwegian representatives pose...

05

II MEF Civilian of the Year Award

Craig Crouch, the deputy command security manager with II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF), receives the II MEF 2023 Civilian of the Year Award at...

In the News

Shooting Incident During Altercation at Camp Lejeune Leads to Marine Being Apprehended

3/27/2024 - https://safe.menlosecurity.com/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/03/25/marine-apprehended-camp-lejeune-over-shooting-altercation-no-injuries-reported.html

Here’s how the Marine Corps’ ‘wall-to-wall’ barracks inspections went

3/27/2024 - https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2024/03/25/heres-how-the-marine-corps-wall-to-wall-barracks-inspections-went/

Arctic weather reshapes military manoeuvring and logistics for NATO exercise

3/27/2024 - https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/arctic-weather-reshapes-military-manoeuvring-and-logistics-for-nato-exercise#:~:text=The%20Arctic%20environment%20has%20spurred,senior%20watch%20officer%20for%20the

US Marines Train in Arctic Norway, Signaling NATO's Focus on Cold Weather Warfare Amid Russia Tensions

3/21/2024 - https://bnnbreaking.com/conflict-defence/military/us-marines-train-in-arctic-norway-signaling-natos-focus-on-cold-weather-warfare-amid-russia-tensions

Inside Look: U.S. Marine Corps F-35B's Historic Touchdown in Sweden

3/21/2024 - https://safe.menlosecurity.com/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/inside-look-us-marine-corps-f-35bs-historic-touchdown-sweden-210091

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Every year, U.S. Marines and Sailors of the II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) are nominated to compete for the title “Marine of the Year.” Earning this prestigious title demonstrates traits of leadership, moral fortitude and professionalism, distinguishing the Marine from their peers. On February 7, 2024, Cpl. Ryoka Orikasa represented 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, 2d Marine Division by being recognized as the II MEF Marine of the Year on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Orikasa, a Norman, Oklahoma native, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2022 as an electro-optical ordnance repair technician. As an electro-optical ordnance repair technician, her daily duties include maintenance and repair to ground ordnance laser and night vision devices, small missile systems, and other fire control equipment.

“Making sure my junior Marines are being properly trained and proficient allows them to effectively run their own armory cages. Their success is my priority to ensure we meet mission deadlines,” explained Orikasa.

The Marine of the Year distinction recognizes Marines, like Orikasa, who have contributed significantly to the mission effectiveness of their unit. In addition to superior job performance, she was also evaluated on the basis of her efforts toward self-improvement, leadership qualities and potential. She is also in charge of managing and supervising four junior Marines.

“Cpl. Orikasa is the personification of leading by example. She is a young noncommissioned officer (NCO) who seeks guidance from her senior NCOs on how she can improve, and that's what the Corps needs more of: NCOs that are hungry to lead and inspire,” explained Sgt. Nathaniel B. Smith, a maintenance chief and Orikasa’s supervisor at 2d LAR Battalion.

Surrounded by her company command, colleagues and peers, Orikasa proudly marched to II MEF commanders to receive a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal, an eagle trophy and a KA-BA

Marine of the Year

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col Jonathan Landers, battalion commander of 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, awards a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Clay Campbell, a field medical technician with 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, September 15, 2023. Campbell was awarded and recognized for providing medical care to a young woman having a seizure until medics arrived on scene, ultimately saving her life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Megan Ozaki)

Clearwater, Fl Native Corpsman Saves a Life

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jarid Fowle, an aviation precision-measurement equipment technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 14, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 26, 2023. Fowle was selected for the Commandant’s Retention Program and reenlisted in the Marine Corps to give back to his Marines. MALS-14 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Cortez)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jarid Fowle: an aviation precision-measurement equipment technician with MALS-14

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jacob Gilmore, an aviation-logistics information management systems specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 14, speaks during an interview at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, March 15, 2023. Gilmore discussed why he thinks Marines should reenlist and get the most out of their Marine Corps experience. MALS-14 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps still image extracted from video by Cpl. Christian Cortez)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jacob Gilmore follows his family's legacy

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment (1/2), 2nd Marine Division (MARDIV) accepted an invitation from The Commandant of the Netherlands Marine Corps to participate in a unique training experience in the Surinamese jungles in Northern South America. The Suriname Army hosted an eight-week jungle training course between March 27 and May 16, 2023. Four Marines participated in the training courses called the Jungle Movement and Survival Course and the Jungle Warfare Instructor Course.

Marines with 1/2 participate in Suriname Jungle Training

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jennifer J. Black, a supply specialist with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS) 2, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 10, 2023. Black reenlisted in the Marine Corps to help her Marines and her family. MWHS-2 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Servante R. Coba)

Giving Back to Her Nation: Sgt. Jennifer Black

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Dustin Alexander, with 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, gives blood during a “walking blood bank” training scenario as part of a tactical scalable surgical system (TS3) team training exercise on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 26, 2023. The TS3 team from 2nd Medical Battalion exercised damage control surgery, resuscitation and in route care to validate the readiness of the team and to establish a training pathway for future assets. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Scott Jenkins)

2nd Medical Battalion Tactical Scalable Surgical System Team

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brady Wulf, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261, looks at the camera during a flight over Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 15, 2023. VMM-261 trained to support Marine ground units during Service Level Training Exercise 2-23, a series of exercises designed to prepare Marines for operations around the globe. VMM-261 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

VMM-261 conducts low-visibility landings in the desert

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Emerson Baltazar, a food service specialist with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, cooks pasta for a Chef of the Quarter Competition on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 14, 2023. The winner of each quarter competes at the end of the year for the title of Chef of the Year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zachary Zephir)

MCB Camp Lejeune Chef of the Quarter 2023

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jacob Youngblood, a Pearsall, Texas, native and a reconnaissance Marine with 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, works on a RQ-20B Puma during a maritime raid exercise on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 14, 2023. The maritime raid exercise employed the use of unmanned aerial systems in support of the development of multi-domain tactical level reconnaissance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emma Gray)

2d Recon Maritime Raid Exercise-RQ-20B Puma

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph W. Ploog, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261, looks at the camera during a flight over Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Feb. 6, 2023. VMM-261 trained to support Marine ground units during Service Level Training Exercise (SLTE) 2-23. SLTE is a series of exercises designed to prepare Marines for operations around the globe. VMM-261 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

VMM-261 flies over the desert

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dillon Ruggiero, a San Francisco, California native and a M252 Mortar gunner with the Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), poses for a photo during MEU Exercise II (MEUEX II) on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 3, 2022. The raid was the culminating event for MEUEX II, following Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT). MEUEX II focused on the transition of the 26th MEU from the sea into a three-day land-based training exercise centered on a fire support control exercise and a motorized infantry company live-fire raid. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Jia)

MEUEX II: 1/6 Fires Mortars

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Lonnie N. Travis, center, II Marine Expeditionary Force Sergeant Major, retired after 32 years of faithful service and was relieved of his duties by Sgt. Maj. David A. Wilson, during a Relief and Appointment aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 3, 2023.The Relief and Appointment signifies the passing of authority form the outgoing Sgt. Maj., to the oncoming Sgt. Maj. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Yvonna Guyette)

II MEF Relief and Appointment

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Carlos A. Sierrasans, fixed/rotary wing aircraft mechanic, currently with the Consolidated Hazmat Material Reutilization Inventory Management Program, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS) on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, poses for a photo on MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Jan. 26, 2023. Sierrasans, the recipient of this month's MCAS New River Go-Getter award, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2020 from Hialeah, Florida. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zachary Zephir)

MCAS New River Go-Getter

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Joe Whalen, a flight-line mechanic with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261, poses for a photo near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Jan. 12, 2023. VMM-261 trained to support Marine ground units during Service Level Training Exercise 2-23, a series of exercises designed to prepare Marines for operations around the globe. VMM-261 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

U.S. Marines Conduct Reduced-Visibility landing training in desert

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Carlos Lopezllamozasguzman, an MV-22 Osprey avionics instructor with the Center for Naval Technical Training Unit, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, gives his son, Vincent Lopezllamozasguzman, a tour of an MV-22 Osprey during his visit to MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Dec. 15, 2022. Lopez, the recipient of this month's MCAS New River Go-Getter award, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2015 from Doral, Florida. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexis Sanchez)

MCAS New River Go-Getter

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Lydia Deprey, a Waldo, Ohio native and a mortarman with 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, poses for a photo on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 19, 2022. In addition to her duties as a mortarman, Deprey is also newly qualified as a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival. Deprey was identified as a “Follow Me” Marine in efforts to share the stories of 2d MARDIV Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Malia Sparks)

Taking Challenges Head On

A U.S. Marine with 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, practices skiing during cold weather training on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 1, 2022. This training was conducted to enhance the unit’s combat effectiveness in extreme cold weather as they prepare for an upcoming deployment to Marine Corps Forces Europe-Africa theater of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dylan Chagnon)

2d Recon Bn Cold Weather Training

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Andrew M. Niebel, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, greets a service member's dogs during the annual Trees for Troops Christmas tree holiday event at the Paradise Point Golf Club on MCB Camp Lejeune, Dec. 2, 2022. Each year, Trees for Troops visit U.S military bases across all service branches to provide Christmas trees to military families home and abroad. This year, an estimated 15,300 total trees will be given to 84 total bases, donated by Christmas tree farms from around the country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto)

Trees for Troops

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Gregory Johnson, a combat engineer officer with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, maneuvers a simulated rooftop during the final stage of the Intramural Marksmanship Competition on Stone Bay, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 7, 2022. The Marine Corps Intramural Marksmanship Competition inspires unit cohesion and mission readiness by allowing Marines to compete and improve lethality with both rifle and pistol weapons. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto)

Intramural Marksmanship Competition

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jasmine Scott, a communication strategy and operations officer, assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force, and native of Detroit, Michigan, raises a hand full of trash collected from a port near Elefsina as part of a community outreach event between service members aboard the USNS Trenton (T-EPF 5) the Hellenic Marine Environmental Protection Association and the U.S. Embassy on November 25, 2022. Marines assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, embarked aboard USNS Trenton (T-EPF 5) to improve interoperability while refining the U.S. capability to rapidly deploy forces aboard U.S. Navy expeditionary fast transport vessels. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Scott Jenkins)

Port Clean Up in Greece

Featured Stories

VMFA-542 achieves full operational capability as U.S. Marine Corps' first F-35 operational squadron on the East Coast

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), achieved full operational capability, Wednesday, as the U.S. Marine Corps’ first East Coast F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron in the Fleet Marine Force.

U.S. Marine Corps aircraft arrive in Norway for Exercise Nordic Response 24

U.S. Marine Corps aircraft and personnel from three flying squadrons with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), II Marine Expeditionary Force, arrived in Norway, Feb. 16-25, in preparation for Exercise Nordic Response 24.

U.S. sends II MEF: Three-Star Command Lands in Norway for Exercise Nordic Response 24

BARDUFOSS, Norway - On February 12th, the vanguard of the U.S. Marine Corps, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) command element arrived at Bardufoss Air Station, Norway, to participate in NATO’s exercise Nordic Response 24. As the Land Component Command headquarters for the exercise, II MEF’s command element will synchronize operations between the U.S. Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Norwegian Army units and a combined Swedish and Finnish Brigade under a NATO Joint Task Force.

26th MEU(SOC) Begins Exercise “Odyssey Encore”, a MEU(SOC) MAGTF Readiness Sustainment Exercise

U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked aboard the amphibious warships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), will participate in a MEU(SOC) Exercise named “Odyssey Encore”, in vicinity of Volos, Greece, 6-17 Jan. 2024. This MEU(SOC) Exercise is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) readiness sustainment exercise that ensures the 26th MEU(SOC) retains the advanced skills and operational capabilities necessary to rapidly respond to any crisis or other emergent requirements across the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command region during a scheduled deployment spanning both U.S. Sixth Fleet and U.S. Fifth Fleet areas of operation.

Mass Casualty Exercise in Tromsø Norway during Nordic Response 24

March 6, 2024 | 2:41

A mass casualty exercise conducted in Tromsø Norway by Norwegian medical, security and military personnel, with civilian volunteers and U.S. Marines and Sailors from II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) in conjunction with Nordic Response 24, March 6, 2024. The exercise is conducted to test the Norwegian military and civilian emergency medical system in a realistic training scenario. Nordic Response 24 is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise designed to enhance NATO military capabilities and allied cooperation, integration under challenging Arctic conditions in high-intensity warfighting, and reacting against an adversary force during a dynamic training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Emily Hazelbaker)

More Information

Current Ops

01

3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division conduct 8k movement

02

Distribution Support Battalion Conducts Helicopter Support Team Operations

03

24th MEU Flight Operations on USS Wasp

04

Norwegian Representatives visit II MEF

05

II MEF Civilian of the Year Award

In the News

Shooting Incident During Altercation at Camp Lejeune Leads to Marine Being Apprehended

Here’s how the Marine Corps’ ‘wall-to-wall’ barracks inspections went

Arctic weather reshapes military manoeuvring and logistics for NATO exercise

US Marines Train in Arctic Norway, Signaling NATO's Focus on Cold Weather Warfare Amid Russia Tensions

Inside Look: U.S. Marine Corps F-35B's Historic Touchdown in Sweden

Marine of the Year

Clearwater, Fl Native Corpsman Saves a Life

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jarid Fowle: an aviation precision-measurement equipment technician with MALS-14

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jacob Gilmore follows his family's legacy

Marines with 1/2 participate in Suriname Jungle Training

Giving Back to Her Nation: Sgt. Jennifer Black

2nd Medical Battalion Tactical Scalable Surgical System Team

VMM-261 conducts low-visibility landings in the desert

MCB Camp Lejeune Chef of the Quarter 2023

2d Recon Maritime Raid Exercise-RQ-20B Puma

VMM-261 flies over the desert

MEUEX II: 1/6 Fires Mortars

II MEF Relief and Appointment

MCAS New River Go-Getter

U.S. Marines Conduct Reduced-Visibility landing training in desert

MCAS New River Go-Getter

Taking Challenges Head On

2d Recon Bn Cold Weather Training

Trees for Troops

Intramural Marksmanship Competition

Port Clean Up in Greece

Featured Stories

VMFA-542 achieves full operational capability as U.S. Marine Corps' first F-35 operational squadron on the East Coast

U.S. Marine Corps aircraft arrive in Norway for Exercise Nordic Response 24

U.S. sends II MEF: Three-Star Command Lands in Norway for Exercise Nordic Response 24

26th MEU(SOC) Begins Exercise “Odyssey Encore”, a MEU(SOC) MAGTF Readiness Sustainment Exercise

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Nordic Response 24

Nordic Response 24

Tara Wisecarver: 2nd MLG Sexual Assault Response Coordinator

Tara Wisecarver: 2nd MLG Sexual Assault Response Coordinator

Division Shoutout

Division Shoutout

Caribbean Urban Warrior '24

Caribbean Urban Warrior '24

In the ice, I found my fire: U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing participate in Exercise Nordic Response 24

In the ice, I found my fire: U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing participate in Exercise Nordic Response 24

"Secure your legacy"- fiscal year 2025 Enlisted Retention Campaign

"Secure your legacy"- fiscal year 2025 Enlisted Retention Campaign

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 conduct distributed aviation operations in Finland during Exercise Nordic Response 24

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 conduct distributed aviation operations in Finland during Exercise Nordic Response 24

Combat Logistics Battalion 2 conducts Adversary Force Exercise 2-24

Combat Logistics Battalion 2 conducts Adversary Force Exercise 2-24

U.S. Marines with VMFA-542 and VMGR-252 conduct distributed aviation operations in Sweden during Exercise Nordic Response 24

U.S. Marines with VMFA-542 and VMGR-252 conduct distributed aviation operations in Sweden during Exercise Nordic Response 24

HM3 Haschert; 2nd MLG Warrior of the Week

HM3 Haschert; 2nd MLG Warrior of the Week

U.S. Marines with VMGR-252 conduct aviation-delivered ground refueling operations with Finnish F/A-18 Hornets

U.S. Marines with VMGR-252 conduct aviation-delivered ground refueling operations with Finnish F/A-18 Hornets

Sleeves Up

Sleeves Up

Mass Casualty Exercise in Tromsø Norway during Nordic Response 24

Mass Casualty Exercise in Tromsø Norway during Nordic Response 24

French Creek Fitness Center Open 24Hrs

French Creek Fitness Center Open 24Hrs

U.S. Marines work with NATO allies during explosive ordnance disposal range in Norway

U.S. Marines work with NATO allies during explosive ordnance disposal range in Norway

Caribbean Urban Warrior

26th MEU(SOC) Marines return from eight-month deployment as the Tri-GCC Immediate Crisis Response Force

24th MEU Conducts Urban Breaching Exercise

VMM-365 (REIN) MV-22 Osprey Resumes Flight Operations

2nd ANGLICO Change of Command

U.S. Marines Graduate Corporals Course in Norway

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