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II Marine Expeditionary Force

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U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), fire an M224 60 mm mortar system during a high explosives range on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, Nov. 2, 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. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), fire an M224 60 mm mortar system during a high explosives range on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, Nov. 2, 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

U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conduct a live-fire range on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, Oct. 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)

U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conduct a live-fire range on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, Oct. 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 U.S. Marine with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conducts a military freefall on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, Oct. 27, 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 with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conducts a military freefall on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, Oct. 27, 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

CARIBBEAN SEA – A U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), fires an M240B machine gun during a live-fire deck shoot aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 24, 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 by Sgt. Tanner Bernat)

CARIBBEAN SEA – A U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), fires an M240B machine gun during a live-fire deck shoot aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 24, 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 by Sgt. Tanner Bernat)

Photo by Sgt. Tanner Bernat

CARIBBEAN SEA – U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Luis Garciamorales, a field artillery cannoneer with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), swabs the breach on an M777 howitzer during battery training aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 24, 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 by Sgt. Tanner Bernat)

CARIBBEAN SEA – U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Luis Garciamorales, a field artillery cannoneer with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), swabs the breach on an M777 howitzer during battery training aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 24, 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 by Sgt. Tanner Bernat)

Photo by Sgt. Tanner Bernat

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Austin Langley, a logistics specialist with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, prepares to attach a metal beam during helicopter support team operations at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 4, 2025. 2nd DSB conducted the training to prepare Marines to manage lift operations at landing zones by facilitating the pickup, movement, and landing of helicopter-borne troops, equipment, and supplies. Langley is a native of New Mexico. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabelle Veillette)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Austin Langley, a logistics specialist with 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, prepares to attach a metal beam during helicopter support team operations at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 4, 2025. 2nd DSB conducted the training to prepare Marines to manage lift operations at landing zones by facilitating the pickup, movement, and landing of helicopter-borne troops, equipment, and supplies. Langley is a native of New Mexico. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabelle Veillette)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Isabelle Veillette

CARIBBEAN SEA – U.S. Marines with the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), enter a board a U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea hHawk helicopter with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, during fast rope insertion drills while aboard the U.S. Navy Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), IWOARG, while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 23, 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 by Sgt. Tanner Bernat)

CARIBBEAN SEA – U.S. Marines with the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), enter a board a U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea hHawk helicopter with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, during fast rope insertion drills while aboard the U.S. Navy Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), IWOARG, while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 23, 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 by Sgt. Tanner Bernat)

Photo by Sgt. Tanner Bernat

U.S. Navy Lt. Calithea Sheppard, a medical officer with 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, applies a bandage to a simulated casualty during the culminating event of a Tier IV Tactical Combat Causality Care course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 8, 2025. 2nd MLG became the first-ever Marine Corps command to host a Tier IV TCCC course and is now hosting its second iteration. The course trains select military service members to become proficient combat paramedics capable of providing advanced casualty care at the point of injury on the battlefield and in austere environments. Sheppard is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brady V. Hathaway)

U.S. Navy Lt. Calithea Sheppard, a medical officer with 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, applies a bandage to a simulated casualty during the culminating event of a Tier IV Tactical Combat Causality Care course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 8, 2025. 2nd MLG became the first-ever Marine Corps command to host a Tier IV TCCC course and is now hosting its second iteration. The course trains select military service members to become proficient combat paramedics capable of providing advanced casualty care at the point of injury on the battlefield and in austere environments. Sheppard is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brady V. Hathaway)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Brady Hathaway

CARIBBEAN SEA – A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), prepares to take off during flight operations aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 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)

CARIBBEAN SEA – A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), prepares to take off during flight operations aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 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 Cpl. Sharon Errisuriz

CARIBBEAN SEA – U.S. Marines with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), fast-rope out of a U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, during fast rope insertion drills aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 23, 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 by Sgt. Tanner Bernat)

CARIBBEAN SEA – U.S. Marines with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), fast-rope out of a U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, during fast rope insertion drills aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 23, 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 by Sgt. Tanner Bernat)

Photo by Sgt. Tanner Bernat

U.S. Marines with the Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, pose for a photo during the graduation ceremony of several Marines at Marine Corps Air Station, North Carolina, Nov. 3, 2025. VMUT-2 graduated its first class of students from Marine Initial Qualification Training, the Marine Corps’ only Group 5, graduate-level school for MQ-9A Reaper pilots and sensor operators. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacsive Betancourt Nava)

U.S. Marines with the Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, pose for a photo during the graduation ceremony of several Marines at Marine Corps Air Station, North Carolina, Nov. 3, 2025. VMUT-2 graduated its first class of students from Marine Initial Qualification Training, the Marine Corps’ only Group 5, graduate-level school for MQ-9A Reaper pilots and sensor operators. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacsive Betancourt Nava)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jacsive Betancourt-Na

U.S. service members with Joint Task Force-Bravo load supplies aboard a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook with 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, JTF-B, in support of foreign assistance following Hurricane Melissa, in Kingston, Jamaica, Nov. 6, 2025. At the direction and request of U.S. Southern Command and Jamaica's government, the 22nd MEU(SOC) supports Joint Task Force-Bravo by providing foreign assistance in the wake of Hurricane Melissa to alleviate suffering and help stabilize affected communities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

U.S. service members with Joint Task Force-Bravo load supplies aboard a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook with 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, JTF-B, in support of foreign assistance following Hurricane Melissa, in Kingston, Jamaica, Nov. 6, 2025. At the direction and request of U.S. Southern Command and Jamaica's government, the 22nd MEU(SOC) supports Joint Task Force-Bravo by providing foreign assistance in the wake of Hurricane Melissa to alleviate suffering and help stabilize affected communities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Norman

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Chuck Collins (retired), poses for a photo after completing his 2,000th mile swim as part of the Marine Corps Community Services Devil Fish Program at the Wallace Creek pool on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 30, 2025. Collins, a former naval aviator and executive officer of Marine Corps Air Station New River, credits swimming with preserving his health and promoting lifelong fitness and dedicates the milestone to the Marine Corps for instilling the discipline that carried him through every lap. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erica S. Padgett)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Chuck Collins (retired), poses for a photo after completing his 2,000th mile swim as part of the Marine Corps Community Services Devil Fish Program at the Wallace Creek pool on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 30, 2025. Collins, a former naval aviator and executive officer of Marine Corps Air Station New River, credits swimming with preserving his health and promoting lifelong fitness and dedicates the milestone to the Marine Corps for instilling the discipline that carried him through every lap. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erica S. Padgett)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Erica Padgett

The official party salutes three wreaths honoring the connection of the military and civilian community, those who lost their lives in Beirut and Grenada and the memory of local Marines and Sailors killed in training, during the 42nd anniversary Beirut Memorial Observance Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Oct. 23, 2025. U.S. veterans, service members and families gather alongside the community each year on October 23, to remember the lives lost in the terrorist attacks at the U.S. Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, and Grenada. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Loriann Dauscher)

The official party salutes three wreaths honoring the connection of the military and civilian community, those who lost their lives in Beirut and Grenada and the memory of local Marines and Sailors killed in training, during the 42nd anniversary Beirut Memorial Observance Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Oct. 23, 2025. U.S. veterans, service members and families gather alongside the community each year on October 23, to remember the lives lost in the terrorist attacks at the U.S. Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, and Grenada. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Loriann Dauscher)

Photo by Cpl. Loriann Dauscher

Command Master Chief Jason Roeder is a native of Denver, Colorado. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1996.

Command Master Chief Jason Roeder is a native of Denver, Colorado. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1996.

Photo by Cpl. Alexander Lesko

CARIBBEAN SEA – A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conducts an air-to-air refuel with a KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, over the Caribbean Sea, September 17, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Norman)

CARIBBEAN SEA – A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conducts an air-to-air refuel with a KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, over the Caribbean Sea, September 17, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Norman)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Norman

CARRIBEAN SEA - U.S. Marines with Maritime Special Purpose Force, and Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) conduct rigid-hull inflatable boat training operations while underway in the Caribbean Sea, September 19, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan Mitchell)

CARRIBEAN SEA - U.S. Marines with Maritime Special Purpose Force, and Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) conduct rigid-hull inflatable boat training operations while underway in the Caribbean Sea, September 19, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan Mitchell)

Photo by Sgt. Nathan Mitchell

CARIBBEAN SEA - A U.S. Navy landing craft air cushion with the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) transports Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, September 22, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan Mitchell)

CARIBBEAN SEA - A U.S. Navy landing craft air cushion with the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) transports Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, September 22, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan Mitchell)

Photo by Sgt. Nathan Mitchell

CARIBBEAN SEA – A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conducts an air-to-air refuel with a KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, over the Caribbean Sea, September 17, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Norman)

CARIBBEAN SEA – A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conducts an air-to-air refuel with a KC-130J Super Hercules with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, over the Caribbean Sea, September 17, 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Norman)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brett Norman

The ceremonial bell, U.S. flag and flowers are displayed during the Bells Across America ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Sept. 25, 2025. The ceremony was held as part of the Navy Gold Star Program to honor and remember the sacrifice of fallen service members and provide long-term support to their surviving families. This ceremony was the first of its kind in the state of North Carolina. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alyssa J. DeCrane)

The ceremonial bell, U.S. flag and flowers are displayed during the Bells Across America ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Sept. 25, 2025. The ceremony was held as part of the Navy Gold Star Program to honor and remember the sacrifice of fallen service members and provide long-term support to their surviving families. This ceremony was the first of its kind in the state of North Carolina. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alyssa J. DeCrane)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Alyssa DeCrane

II Marine Expeditionary Force