KIEL, Germany (June 19, 2024) – The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Kiel, Germany, for a scheduled port visit, June 19, 2024. The ship’s visit to Kiel completes its participation in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 24, and builds on the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Germany. BALTOPS 24 is an annual joint, multinational maritime-focused exercise designed to enhance interoperability, capability, and demonstrate cohesion among NATO Allies while maintaining freedom of navigation and defending the Baltic Sea region. USS Mount Whitney’s visit to Kiel marks the culmination of its participation in BALTOPS 24 as it travels across the Baltic Sea.

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On February 19th, 1945, more than 70,000 United States Marines landed on the dark volcanic beaches of Iwo Jima. As gunfire whizzed overhead and artillery screamed through the skies, these 70,000 men pressed forward to establish control of the island to provide a staging area for air raids against Japan’s mainland. The Marines fought Japanese troops for five consecutive weeks, enduring the brutal jungle conditions and an unforgiving occupying force, until finally declaring victory over Iwo Jima on March 26th, 1945. Victory, however, came at a harrowing cost; nearly 7,000 Marines gave their lives on the island, with roughly 20,000 returning home wounded. Nearly 80 years later, the Battle of Iwo Jima remains the Marine Corps’ most fatal battle in American history.

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KALLINGE, SWEDEN – The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) deployed a detachment of U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jets, MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, and personnel to Ronneby Airport in Kallinge, Sweden to conduct expeditionary advanced base flight operations in support of exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 24, June 9, 2024.

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This year marks 40 years of honor, professionalism, and boldness demonstrated by the Marines and Sailors of 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance, 2d Marine Division (2d LAR, 2d MARDIV). Victory to the Bold is the motto of 2d LAR, and as they remain loyal to their amphibious roots, they continue to be the unit to drive innovation in support of the ground combat elements of 2d MARDIV. 2d LAR has demonstrated their ability to balance their directed tasks to generate APEX forces for Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) deployments and support Marine Air-Ground Task Force missions, while also driving Marine Corps Force Design initiatives with scout and mobile reconnaissance companies.

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