II MEF News - Page 34

Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis Marines!

November 10, 2020 will mark the 245th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Dating back to 1775, just eight months prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines. The newly formed Marine Corps’ purpose was to provide additional security and support for the Continental Navy. Led by Commandant Samuel Nicholas, the initial two battalions of Continental Marines performed gallantly during the Revolutionary War, but were disbanded by Congress following the war due to fiscal constraints...

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U.S. Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and 8th Engineer Support Battalion attend an awards ceremony at the site of the G-36 Company Battle Course Range on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 29, 2020. Maj. Gen. Julian D. Alford, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, awarded the Marines the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their efforts in building the range. G-36 has been redesigned to enable company commanders to train with organic weapons systems and attachments they would have available during combat and conduct full-scale operations on one range. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ginnie Lee) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and 8th Engineer Support Battalion attend an awards ceremony at the site of the G-36 Company Battle Course Range on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 29, 2020. Maj. Gen. Julian D. Alford, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, awarded the Marines the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their efforts in building the range. G-36 has been redesigned to enable company commanders to train with organic weapons systems and attachments they would have available during combat and conduct full-scale operations on one range. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ginnie Lee)

Camp Lejeune Marines recognized for G-36 Company Battle Course Range reconstruction efforts, enhancing training capabilities

Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and 8th Engineer Support Battalion were recognized by Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s top leader for their efforts in the reconstruction of the G-36 Company Battle Course Range, formerly known as the G-6 Range on MCB Camp Lejeune, Oct. 29, 2020.

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New Marine Rotational Force Deploys to Norway for Winter Training alongside Norwegian Allies

The Marines and Sailors of the “Teufelhunden Battalion” are the next rotational deployment of Marine Rotational Force-Europe. After a quarantine period at their training location in Norway, to mitigate the risk of COVID exposure and transmission, the Marines will conduct bilateral arctic warfare training, improve interoperability, and strengthen defense capabilities alongside Norwegian allies.

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Benjamin Peagler, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, conducts a platoon assault drill as a part of Exercise Cold Response 16 on range U-3, Frigård, Norway, Feb. 23, 2016. CR 16 is a Norwegian invitational previously-scheduled exercise that will involve approximately 16,000 troops from 12 NATO and partner countries. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Rebecca Floto, 2D MARDIV Combat Camera/ Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Benjamin Peagler, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, conducts a platoon assault drill as a part of Exercise Cold Response 16 on range U-3, Frigård, Norway, Feb. 23, 2016. CR 16 is a Norwegian invitational previously-scheduled exercise that will involve approximately 16,000 troops from 12 NATO and partner countries. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Rebecca Floto, 2D MARDIV Combat Camera/ Released)

Marines insist ‘we are not drawing down’ amid changes to Norway rotations

The Marine Corps is changing the size and duration of its rotations to Norway, but the move is not related of the drawdown of nearly 12,000 U.S. troops in Germany, said Maj. Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway, a spokesman for Marine Corps Forces Europe & Africa.

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A U.S. Marine with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 20.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, conducts a brass check during a Combat Marksmanship Program (CMP) live-fire range in Setermoen, Norway, April 14, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Nathaniel Q. Hamilton) - A U.S. Marine with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 20.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, conducts a brass check during a Combat Marksmanship Program (CMP) live-fire range in Setermoen, Norway, April 14, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Nathaniel Q. Hamilton)

Major Changes Coming for Marines’ Norway Deployments

A U.S. Marine with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 20.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, conducts a brass check during a Combat Marksmanship Program (CMP) live-fire range in Setermoen, Norway, April 14, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Nathaniel Q. Hamilton)

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Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade prepare to be transported on Marine MV-22 Ospreys in Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Aug. 10, 2020, during Exercise Saber Junction. The Marines flew at least three Ospreys around 1,200 miles from Moron in Spain to Grafenwoehr for the exercise.IMMANUEL JOHNSON/STARS AND STRIPES - Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade prepare to be transported on Marine MV-22 Ospreys in Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Aug. 10, 2020, during Exercise Saber Junction. The Marines flew at least three Ospreys around 1,200 miles from Moron in Spain to Grafenwoehr for the exercise. IMMANUEL JOHNSON/STARS AND STRIPES

Marines bring Ospreys to annual Saber Junction exercise in Germany

Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade prepare to be transported on Marine MV-22 Ospreys in Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Aug. 10, 2020, during Exercise Saber Junction. The Marines flew at least three Ospreys around 1,200 miles from Moron in Spain to Grafenwoehr for the exercise. IMMANUEL JOHNSON/STARS AND STRIPES

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Iron Horse Going Dark: Deactivation of C Company 2d Tank Battalion

U.S. Marines with Company C, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, commemorated their history and said final goodbyes to M1A1 Abrams tanks that served them at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 24, 2020. After 78 years of service, Company C is the first company in 2nd Tank Battalion to deactivate as part of the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ plan for a modern force.

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Locate, Close With, and Destroy the Enemy

Blazing sun, humidity, and the sounds of Marines training fill the mornings from July 8 until July 31, 2020 as Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division conduct a deployment for training in preparation for combat to ensure the battalion’s combat effectiveness as the Forward Deployed Battalion in support of Major Combat Operations around the globe.

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You Count Here: Census 2020 counts continue with barracks residents

Since 1790, the U.S. has counted its population every 10 years to help determine how federal funding is allocated to communities across the states. This funding translates into health clinics, fire departments, schools, and roadways. This year’s census enumeration date was delayed from April 1, 2020 to July 22, 2020. The deadline for any groups living in transitory quarters (i.e., barracks) is Sept. 3, 2020.

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A crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, leads Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment to board a CH-53E Super Stallion during Exercise Deep Water 2020 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., July 29, 2020. The purpose of the exercise is to increase 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s interoperability and readiness on a scale that simulates peer-level threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Yuritzy Gomez) - A crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, leads Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment to board a CH-53E Super Stallion during Exercise Deep Water 2020 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., July 29, 2020. The purpose of the exercise is to increase 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s interoperability and readiness on a scale that simulates peer-level threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Yuritzy Gomez)

II MEF conducts regimental air assault during Exercise Deep Water

Marines commanded by II Marine Expeditionary Force began a two-battalion air assault as a part of Exercise Deep Water today on Camp Lejeune (CLNC). An exercise of this size has not been conducted in almost 20 years and is roughly double the size of Exercise Steel Pike, conducted in 2019.

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