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Marines

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II Marine Expeditionary Force

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Friends and family wait for Marines and Sailors assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a homecoming reception at Marine Corps Air Station New River, April 4, 2026. VMM-162 returned home after a six-month deployment in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Maximiliano Rosas)

Friends and family wait for Marines and Sailors assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a homecoming reception at Marine Corps Air Station New River, April 4, 2026. VMM-162 returned home after a six-month deployment in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Maximiliano Rosas)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Maximiliano Rosas

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nathan Jackson, an intelligence chief with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, patrols during a combat patrol as part of Mountain Warfare Training Exercise 2-26 on Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, California, March 13, 2026. MTX is a one-month-long exercise designed to prepare units to survive and strengthen expeditionary warfare tactics in cold-weather mountainous environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dominic Trujillo)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nathan Jackson, an intelligence chief with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, patrols during a combat patrol as part of Mountain Warfare Training Exercise 2-26 on Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, California, March 13, 2026. MTX is a one-month-long exercise designed to prepare units to survive and strengthen expeditionary warfare tactics in cold-weather mountainous environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dominic Trujillo)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dominic Trujillo

U.S. Navy Hospitalman 3rd Class. Kieri Hart, a Virginia native and a hospital corpsman with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, monitors heartrate on a simulated casualty during a simulated casualty evacuation as part of Mountain Warfare Training Exercise 2-26 on Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, California, March 12, 2026. MTX is a one-month-long exercise designed to prepare units to survive and strengthen expeditionary warfare tactics in cold-weather mountainous environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Dominic Trujillo)

U.S. Navy Hospitalman 3rd Class. Kieri Hart, a Virginia native and a hospital corpsman with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, monitors heartrate on a simulated casualty during a simulated casualty evacuation as part of Mountain Warfare Training Exercise 2-26 on Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, California, March 12, 2026. MTX is a one-month-long exercise designed to prepare units to survive and strengthen expeditionary warfare tactics in cold-weather mountainous environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Dominic Trujillo)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dominic Trujillo

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, load an M240B machine gun during a live-fire unknown distance range as part of Mountain Warfare Training 2-26 on Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, California, March 11, 2026. Marines with Alpha Company conducted the range in order to familiarize themselves with weapon sustainment, enhance marksmanship proficiency and increase combat lethality in cold weather, mountainous environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dominic Trujillo)

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, load an M240B machine gun during a live-fire unknown distance range as part of Mountain Warfare Training 2-26 on Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, California, March 11, 2026. Marines with Alpha Company conducted the range in order to familiarize themselves with weapon sustainment, enhance marksmanship proficiency and increase combat lethality in cold weather, mountainous environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dominic Trujillo)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dominic Trujillo

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, fire a Browning M2A1 .50 Caliber heavy machine gun during a weapons training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 21, 2026. This training was conducted to improve and sustain the Marines’ mission readiness and their ability to supply II MEF with proper operational support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sabine Wilson)

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, fire a Browning M2A1 .50 Caliber heavy machine gun during a weapons training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 21, 2026. This training was conducted to improve and sustain the Marines’ mission readiness and their ability to supply II MEF with proper operational support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sabine Wilson)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Sabine Wilson

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, run together during a
ruck-run at Onslow Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April
2, 2026. The purpose of this training is to enhance physical readiness and unit
cohesion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sabine Wilson)

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, run together during a ruck-run at Onslow Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 2, 2026. The purpose of this training is to enhance physical readiness and unit cohesion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sabine Wilson)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Sabine Wilson

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Reckley, a communication strategy and operations officer with II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, pulls himself out of a modular amphibious egress trainer (MAET) during underwater egress training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 24, 2026. UET provides Marines and Sailors with the skills and confidence to safely evacuate an aircraft submerged in water. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Channah Chilton.)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Reckley, a communication strategy and operations officer with II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, pulls himself out of a modular amphibious egress trainer (MAET) during underwater egress training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 24, 2026. UET provides Marines and Sailors with the skills and confidence to safely evacuate an aircraft submerged in water. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Channah Chilton.)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Channah Chilton

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christina Reese, left, and Lance Cpl. Ethan Marsh, both mortarman with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load a M224 60mm  lightweight mortar system during a live-fire range on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 1, 2026. The range strengthens the unit’s ability to maneuver in a dynamic training environment while enhancing combat effectiveness and overall readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Allison White)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christina Reese, left, and Lance Cpl. Ethan Marsh, both mortarman with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load a M224 60mm  lightweight mortar system during a live-fire range on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 1, 2026. The range strengthens the unit’s ability to maneuver in a dynamic training environment while enhancing combat effectiveness and overall readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Allison White)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Allison White

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, secure a trench during a dry run in preparation for a live fire execution on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 31, 2026. The range strengthens the unit’s ability to maneuver in a dynamic training environment while enhancing combat effectiveness and overall readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Walley)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, secure a trench during a dry run in preparation for a live fire execution on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 31, 2026. The range strengthens the unit’s ability to maneuver in a dynamic training environment while enhancing combat effectiveness and overall readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Walley)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Walley

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, participate in a
group exercise during a ruck-run at Onslow Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp
Lejeune, North Carolina, April 2, 2026. The purpose of this training is to enhance
physical readiness and unit cohesion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl.
Sabine Wilson)

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, participate in a group exercise during a ruck-run at Onslow Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 2, 2026. The purpose of this training is to enhance physical readiness and unit cohesion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sabine Wilson)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Sabine Wilson

Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Matt Brown, co-founder and CEO of Chimney Trail Health, speaks to U.S. Marines and Sailors during a Waypoint Kit program training seminar at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 31, 2026. This training was conducted to preserve the lethality and readiness of the Marines by building mental toughness and resiliency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Channah Chilton.)

Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Matt Brown, co-founder and CEO of Chimney Trail Health, speaks to U.S. Marines and Sailors during a Waypoint Kit program training seminar at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 31, 2026. This training was conducted to preserve the lethality and readiness of the Marines by building mental toughness and resiliency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Channah Chilton.)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Channah Chilton

U.S. Marines with Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), observe terrain in a Light Armored Vehicle during maneuver and patrol training at Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, March 18, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

U.S. Marines with Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), observe terrain in a Light Armored Vehicle during maneuver and patrol training at Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, March 18, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Photo by Sgt. Tanner Bernat

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Thomas Trimble, commanding officer, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), speaks with Marines during a visit at Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, March 30, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Thomas Trimble, commanding officer, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), speaks with Marines during a visit at Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, March 30, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Photo by Sgt. Tanner Bernat

A U.S. Marine Corps mortarman with Light Armored Reconnaissance, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), sets up an M1A2 81mm Mortar System during a light-armored vehicle mounted mortar system live-fire range at Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, March. 30, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

A U.S. Marine Corps mortarman with Light Armored Reconnaissance, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), sets up an M1A2 81mm Mortar System during a light-armored vehicle mounted mortar system live-fire range at Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, March. 30, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Photo by Sgt. Maurion Moore

A Neros Archer first-person view drone is operated by U.S. Marines with Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), during attack drone training at Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, March 29, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

A Neros Archer first-person view drone is operated by U.S. Marines with Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), during attack drone training at Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, March 29, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Photo by Sgt. Tanner Bernat

A U.S. Marine with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), sights in with an M27 infantry automatic rifle during a live-fire range aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, March 28, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

A U.S. Marine with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), sights in with an M27 infantry automatic rifle during a live-fire range aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, March 28, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Photo by Cpl. Sharon Errisuriz

A U.S. Marine Corps combat marksmanship coach, right, briefs Marines and Sailors with 2nd Marine Logistics Group before commencing the next stage of an Action Shooting Program competition at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 27, 2026. The ASP hosts community events for Marines, Sailors, and civilians alike to build camaraderie and test individual shooting skills. The event is part of the Marine Corps Competition in Arms Program and serves as an endorsement for competitive marksmanship for Marines and Sailors within Marine Corps Installation East, MCB Camp Lejeune. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella Ramos)

A U.S. Marine Corps combat marksmanship coach, right, briefs Marines and Sailors with 2nd Marine Logistics Group before commencing the next stage of an Action Shooting Program competition at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 27, 2026. The ASP hosts community events for Marines, Sailors, and civilians alike to build camaraderie and test individual shooting skills. The event is part of the Marine Corps Competition in Arms Program and serves as an endorsement for competitive marksmanship for Marines and Sailors within Marine Corps Installation East, MCB Camp Lejeune. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella Ramos)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella Ramos

A Finnish airman with Fighter Squadron 11, Lapland Air Wing, connects a pressure-locking nozzle into a Finnish F/A-18 Hornet aircraft at a forward arming and refueling point at Rovaniemi Air Base, Finland, March 17, 2026. U.S. Marines with MWSS-273 simulated refueling Finnish F/A-18s with Fighter Squadron 11, Lapland Air Wing, during air operations for exercise Cold Response 26. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donovan Pimentel)

A Finnish airman with Fighter Squadron 11, Lapland Air Wing, connects a pressure-locking nozzle into a Finnish F/A-18 Hornet aircraft at a forward arming and refueling point at Rovaniemi Air Base, Finland, March 17, 2026. U.S. Marines with MWSS-273 simulated refueling Finnish F/A-18s with Fighter Squadron 11, Lapland Air Wing, during air operations for exercise Cold Response 26. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donovan Pimentel)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Donovan Pimentel

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Hunter Bush, an expeditionary fuels technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, watches Marines refuel a Finnish NH-90 helicopter a forward arming and refueling point at Rovaniemi Air Base, Finland, March 18, 2026. MWSS-273 refueled Finnish helicopters at a FARP to support NATO air operations during exercise Cold Response 26. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. Bush is a native of Illinois. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donovan Pimentel)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Hunter Bush, an expeditionary fuels technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, watches Marines refuel a Finnish NH-90 helicopter a forward arming and refueling point at Rovaniemi Air Base, Finland, March 18, 2026. MWSS-273 refueled Finnish helicopters at a FARP to support NATO air operations during exercise Cold Response 26. A key component of NATO's enhanced vigilance activity Arctic Sentry, exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. Bush is a native of Illinois. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Donovan Pimentel)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Donovan Pimentel

U.S. Sailors with San-Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) place chocks and chains on a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), during flight operations, aboard San Antonio while underway in the Caribbean Sea, March 28, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

U.S. Sailors with San-Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) place chocks and chains on a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), during flight operations, aboard San Antonio while underway in the Caribbean Sea, March 28, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Kyle Baskin

II Marine Expeditionary Force