U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), create a security cooperation engagement plan during the Security Cooperation Planners’ Course (SCPC) aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Johnson, North Carolina, March 16, 2023. The SCPC teaches II MEF planners how to analyze guidance, apply security cooperation planning alongside partners and allies, and develop engagement plans that achieve U.S. objectives within their areas of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jackson Dukes) - U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), create a security cooperation engagement plan during the Security Cooperation Planners’ Course (SCPC) aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Johnson, North Carolina, March 16, 2023. The SCPC teaches II MEF planners how to analyze guidance, apply security cooperation planning alongside partners and allies, and develop engagement plans that achieve U.S. objectives within their areas of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jackson Dukes)

U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct boat patrols during a littoral movement as part of MEU Exercise III on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 11, 2023. BLT 1/6 continues to enhance RHIB familiarization and readiness through conducting on and off and shore-to-shore drills prior to deployment. The 11m RHIBs provide the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Commander a high-speed, long –range, low-signature combatant craft capable of projecting and recovering Marines for a variety of missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aziza Kamuhanda) - U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct boat patrols during a littoral movement as part of MEU Exercise III on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 11, 2023. BLT 1/6 continues to enhance RHIB familiarization and readiness through conducting on and off and shore-to-shore drills prior to deployment. The 11m RHIBs provide the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Commander a high-speed, long –range, low-signature combatant craft capable of projecting and recovering Marines for a variety of missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aziza Kamuhanda)

Lt. Cmdr. David Dreyer, Resident Officer In-Charge of Construction Cherry Point, signs the final steel structural beam during the topping out ceremony for the future auditorium on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 22, 2023. The auditorium is part of the recovery construction to rebuild and modernize structures damaged by Hurricane Florence. The topping out ceremony is a celebration of the facility structure being completed and the next stage of construction beginning. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker - Lt. Cmdr. David Dreyer, Resident Officer In-Charge of Construction Cherry Point, signs the final steel structural beam during the topping out ceremony for the future auditorium on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 22, 2023. The auditorium is part of the recovery construction to rebuild and modernize structures damaged by Hurricane Florence. The topping out ceremony is a celebration of the facility structure being completed and the next stage of construction beginning. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylon Grasso, a combat photographer with the Defense Media Activity participates in a training press conference with Communication Strategy and Operations Marines during Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise (MEFEX), Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 16, 2023. II MEF is currently participating in MEFEX, a MEF-level exercise that develops command and control capabilities of the MEF and its staff in preparation for operations or contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Nathan Mitchell) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylon Grasso, a combat photographer with the Defense Media Activity participates in a training press conference with Communication Strategy and Operations Marines during Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise (MEFEX), Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 16, 2023. II MEF is currently participating in MEFEX, a MEF-level exercise that develops command and control capabilities of the MEF and its staff in preparation for operations or contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Nathan Mitchell)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David Ottignon, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks to II MEF Marines and sailors prior to the beginning of MEFEX ‘23 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Feb. 8, 2023. MEFEX ’23 is a command post exercise where the staff builds proficiency in commanding and controlling a MAGTF while responding to events and situations in notional peacekeeping and humanitarian operation abroad. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cheyenne Harms) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David Ottignon, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks to II MEF Marines and sailors prior to the beginning of MEFEX ‘23 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Feb. 8, 2023. MEFEX ’23 is a command post exercise where the staff builds proficiency in commanding and controlling a MAGTF while responding to events and situations in notional peacekeeping and humanitarian operation abroad. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cheyenne Harms)

A U.S. Marine Corps High Mobility Artillery Rocket System assigned to Sierra Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is loaded onto a U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration (PMINT) exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During PMINT, the 26th MEU loaded a HIMARS onto a LCAC where it was transported from ship-to-shore onto the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) off the coast marking this as the first instance of a MEU utilizing this system for deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres) - A U.S. Marine Corps High Mobility Artillery Rocket System assigned to Sierra Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is loaded onto a U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) during Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration (PMINT) exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During PMINT, the 26th MEU loaded a HIMARS onto a LCAC where it was transported from ship-to-shore onto the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) off the coast marking this as the first instance of a MEU utilizing this system for deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert D. Barbaree III, left, commanding officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, awards the Bronze Star Medal to Master Sgt. Kevin Haunschild, right, a senior air traffic controller with H&HS, on MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Jan. 20, 2023. Haunschild received the Bronze Star medal for his actions as Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team Leader with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-162 during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert D. Barbaree III, left, commanding officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, awards the Bronze Star Medal to Master Sgt. Kevin Haunschild, right, a senior air traffic controller with H&HS, on MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Jan. 20, 2023. Haunschild received the Bronze Star medal for his actions as Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team Leader with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-162 during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto)

U.S. Marines with Aircraft, Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, put out a controlled fuel burn during a training event at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, Jan. 11, 2023. The training tested a new firehose developed by Oshkosh for the P-19R firetrucks before the equipment becomes standard issue for Marine Corps ARFF and Expeditionary Fire and Rescue operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker) - U.S. Marines with Aircraft, Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, put out a controlled fuel burn during a training event at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, Jan. 11, 2023. The training tested a new firehose developed by Oshkosh for the P-19R firetrucks before the equipment becomes standard issue for Marine Corps ARFF and Expeditionary Fire and Rescue operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker)

The Camp Lejeune Base Tax Center on Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 20, 2023. The Camp Lejeune Base Tax Center assists 4,500 customers with their taxes and saves the Camp Lejeune Community an average of 1.2 million dollars annually. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tanner Bernat) - The Camp Lejeune Base Tax Center on Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 20, 2023. The Camp Lejeune Base Tax Center assists 4,500 customers with their taxes and saves the Camp Lejeune Community an average of 1.2 million dollars annually. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tanner Bernat)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kyle Kavanagh, Weapons Company, Commanding Officer, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), briefs personnel during a Rehearsal of Concept using a terrain model in preparation for a simulated raid during Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (MEUEX) I at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, Dec. 20, 2022. The raid was the culminating MAGTF mission for the exercise. Through continued training and preparation, the 26th MEU will continue to be the nation’s premier expeditionary force-in readiness and remains ready and able to respond at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kyle Kavanagh, Weapons Company, Commanding Officer, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), briefs personnel during a Rehearsal of Concept using a terrain model in preparation for a simulated raid during Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (MEUEX) I at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, Dec. 20, 2022. The raid was the culminating MAGTF mission for the exercise. Through continued training and preparation, the 26th MEU will continue to be the nation’s premier expeditionary force-in readiness and remains ready and able to respond at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres)