II MEF News

U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) load into a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) prior to conducting a scenario-driven foreign humanitarian assistance (FHA) during Composite Training Unit Exercise, Atlantic Ocean, May 24, 2023. FHA consists of Department of Defense activities conducted outside of the U.S. and its territories to directly relieve or reduce human suffering, disease, hunger, or privation. FHA is intended to supplement or complement efforts of host nation civil authorities or agencies with the primary responsibility for providing assistance. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit serves as one of the Nation’s premier crisis response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling follow-on forces and special operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo) - U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) load into a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) prior to conducting a scenario-driven foreign humanitarian assistance (FHA) during Composite Training Unit Exercise, Atlantic Ocean, May 24, 2023. FHA consists of Department of Defense activities conducted outside of the U.S. and its territories to directly relieve or reduce human suffering, disease, hunger, or privation. FHA is intended to supplement or complement efforts of host nation civil authorities or agencies with the primary responsibility for providing assistance. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit serves as one of the Nation’s premier crisis response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling follow-on forces and special operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael Germano (right), a ground reconnaissance officer with the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets up his Marine Air-Ground Tablet prior to conducting a raid during Exercise Trident 23-4 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, May 20, 2023. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael Germano (right), a ground reconnaissance officer with the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets up his Marine Air-Ground Tablet prior to conducting a raid during Exercise Trident 23-4 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, May 20, 2023. Exercise Trident is a joint-maritime certification and validation mission readiness exercise directed to meet joint staff high-interest training issues for special operations and conventional force integration, interoperability and interdependence. The 26 MEU’s MSPF participated by providing a Quick Reaction Force to use during planning and execution of missions throughout the exercise.

U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (MEU) Maritime Special Purpose Force prepares to board an MV-22 Osprey prior to conducting a full mission profile raid during Exercise Trident 23-4 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, May 20, 2023. Exercise Trident is a joint-maritime certification and validation mission readiness exercise directed to meet joint staff high-interest training issues for special operations and conventional force integration, interoperability and interdependence. The 26 MEU’s MSPF participated by providing a Quick Reaction Force to use during planning and execution of missions throughout the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean) - U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (MEU) Maritime Special Purpose Force prepares to board an MV-22 Osprey prior to conducting a full mission profile raid during Exercise Trident 23-4 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, May 20, 2023. Exercise Trident is a joint-maritime certification and validation mission readiness exercise directed to meet joint staff high-interest training issues for special operations and conventional force integration, interoperability and interdependence. The 26 MEU’s MSPF participated by providing a Quick Reaction Force to use during planning and execution of missions throughout the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)

Three U.S. Marines saved a man’s life in Tallin, Estonia, when they found him unconscious and asphyxiated in a local restaurant, May 7, 2023. - Three U.S. Marines saved a man’s life in Tallin, Estonia, when they found him unconscious and asphyxiated in a local restaurant, May 7, 2023.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Brandon Garton, a student taking the Joint Humanitarian Operations Course (JHOC), presents for a group exercise during the course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 22, 2023. The course trains and prepares the II Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element to become a Joint Task Force–Capable headquarters; able to rapidly organize and establish command and control of joint forces to effectively execute potential humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions in joint and multinational environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl John Allen) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Brandon Garton, a student taking the Joint Humanitarian Operations Course (JHOC), presents for a group exercise during the course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 22, 2023. The course trains and prepares the II Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element to become a Joint Task Force–Capable headquarters; able to rapidly organize and establish command and control of joint forces to effectively execute potential humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions in joint and multinational environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl John Allen)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Shane Ryan, left, and Sgt. Shaun Muller, instructors with the Mobile Training Team, Marine Corps Shooting Team, pose for a photo after conducting training for 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 3, 2023. The Mobile Training Team provides unique additional training for Marines in preparation for the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Eric Dmochowski) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Shane Ryan, left, and Sgt. Shaun Muller, instructors with the Mobile Training Team, Marine Corps Shooting Team, pose for a photo after conducting training for 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 3, 2023. The Mobile Training Team provides unique additional training for Marines in preparation for the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Eric Dmochowski)

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)