II MEF News

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Bryan Bell, a criminal investigator with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to photograph a sample during Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Interoperability Exercise, on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 6, 2025. The raid is one of several training events within MAGTF Interoperability, a course conducted by Expeditionary Operations Training Group. This course is designed to evaluate integrated elements of the 22nd MEU across a variety of full mission profiles in a simulated peer threat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan Mitchell) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Bryan Bell, a criminal investigator with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to photograph a sample during Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Interoperability Exercise, on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 6, 2025. The raid is one of several training events within MAGTF Interoperability, a course conducted by Expeditionary Operations Training Group. This course is designed to evaluate integrated elements of the 22nd MEU across a variety of full mission profiles in a simulated peer threat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nathan Mitchell)

22nd MEU Enhances Intelligence Operations with Identity and Attribution Activities Cell

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is enhancing its intelligence capabilities, demonstrating greater lethality through integration of the Identity and Attribution Activities (IA2) cell. This unique capability, composed of U.S. Marine Corps criminal investigators and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians, leverages the Marine Corps' exclusive combination of forensic exploitation and technical EOD expertise. This specialized cell is manned, trained and equipped to support tactical intelligence operations within the MEU and across various U.S. government agencies.

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U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, provide security during an illegal alien holding operation as a part of Operation Southern Guard on Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Feb. 4, 2025. Joint Task Force Southern Guard is supporting illegal alien holding operations led by the Department of Homeland Security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexandria Serrano) - U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, provide security during an illegal alien holding operation as a part of Operation Southern Guard on Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Feb. 4, 2025. Joint Task Force Southern Guard is supporting illegal alien holding operations led by the Department of Homeland Security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexandria Serrano)

6th Marines Support Joint Task Force Southern Guard

NAVAL STATION GUANTÁNAMO BAY, CUBA – Marines of Task Force Belleau Wood, comprised of 6th Regiment and their 1st Battalion (1/6), have completed their first week attached to Joint Task Force Southern Guard (JTF-SG) supporting illegal alien (IA) holding operations in coordination with the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as ordered by the President of the United States, here Feb. 8, 2025.

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Transcript: II MEF commanding general remarks at 2025 West Conference

The adversary is going to attempt to deny terrain and particularly in the sea echelon that might take many different forms, but you have options. Reach and proximity can be overcome with the delivery of platforms, well, through the delivery of Marine formations using some of our platforms with extended reach and then leveraging extended range. Munitions such as navy strike missiles, long-range Precision fires in HIMARS, there are options to the commander.

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U.S. Marines, alongside NATO allies and partners, strategically advance, securing cover and providing fire support during a breaching and clearing mission in preparation for Nordic Response 24 in Setermoen, Norway, on Feb. 7, 2024. U.S. Marines, in coordination with NATO allies and partners, are gearing up for the biennial exercise Nordic Response 24. This NATO training exercise aims to enhance Arctic security, elevate global readiness, and foster interoperability among U.S. Forces, Allied, and partner forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance. Cpl. Christian Salazar) - U.S. Marines, alongside NATO allies and partners, strategically advance, securing cover and providing fire support during a breaching and clearing mission in preparation for Nordic Response 24 in Setermoen, Norway, on Feb. 7, 2024. U.S. Marines, in coordination with NATO allies and partners, are gearing up for the biennial exercise Nordic Response 24. This NATO training exercise aims to enhance Arctic security, elevate global readiness, and foster interoperability among U.S. Forces, Allied, and partner forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance. Cpl. Christian Salazar)

Norwegian military, U.S. Marines, NATO allies prepare for major winter warfare exercise in Norway

The Norwegian Armed Forces, the U.S. Marine Corps, and other NATO Allies, are scheduled to conduct Exercise Joint Viking 25 in March 2025. Allied militaries have been conducting unit-level cold weather training in Norway since the beginning of January in preparation for the exercise.

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Rolling Four-hour Gate Closures Scheduled at Lejeune-New River Gates, Jan. 13-17 for Preventative Maintenance

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River gates will be individually

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U.S. Navy Lt. Jamin M. Bailey, the battalion chaplain of 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, gives orders to his squad during a simulated medical evacuation during the II Marine Expeditionary Force Religious Ministry Expeditionary Skills Training on Marine Corps Base Camp Devil Dog, North Carolina, Oct. 25, 2024. The II MEF Religious Ministry EST trained Chaplains and Religious Program Specialists to effectively execute tasks in an operational environment, through field training and classroom instruction presented by subject matter experts from 2d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexandria Serrano) - U.S. Navy Lt. Jamin M. Bailey, the battalion chaplain of 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, gives orders to his squad during a simulated medical evacuation during the II Marine Expeditionary Force Religious Ministry Expeditionary Skills Training on Marine Corps Base Camp Devil Dog, North Carolina, Oct. 25, 2024. The II MEF Religious Ministry EST trained Chaplains and Religious Program Specialists to effectively execute tasks in an operational environment, through field training and classroom instruction presented by subject matter experts from 2d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexandria Serrano)

Providing Faith, Resiliently Religious Program Specialists, Chaplains Train to Increase Readiness.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Navy-Religious Program Specialists and Chaplains form a religious ministry team, which provides a vital component of Marine Corps unit readiness and individual service member care. RPS and Chaplains provide spiritual support and counseling to service members ensuring they have the tools needed to remain resilient and combat-ready.

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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jonah Hollis, an Annapolis, Indiana native and team leader with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, 2d Marine Division, posts security during the 2d LAR Scout School on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 20, 2023. The 2d LAR Scout School is a 28-day course focusing on basic individual skills and core competencies, live-fire training, advanced skills, and team-to-squad level events. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Eric Dmochowski) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jonah Hollis, an Annapolis, Indiana native and team leader with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, 2d Marine Division, posts security during the 2d LAR Scout School on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 20, 2023. The 2d LAR Scout School is a 28-day course focusing on basic individual skills and core competencies, live-fire training, advanced skills, and team-to-squad level events. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Eric Dmochowski)

2d LAR Scout School

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – How do you perform reconnaissance with a nearly 9 foot tall, 28,100 pound armored, amphibious vehicle with a 25mm chain gun? The turbocharged diesel engine in the light armored vehicle-25 is not ideal for sneaking around a battlefield. 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, answers this question with a few Marines called scouts.

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VMFA-251 is the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to employ the F-35C Lightning II, which is designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251 march in formation during the reactivation ceremony for VMFA-251 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 5, 2024. VMFA-251 is the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to employ the F-35C Lightning II, which is designed to operate from conventional aircraft carriers or land bases and provides operational flexibility and persistence to II Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

VMFA-251 reactivates as Marine Corps’ first East Coast-based F-35C Lightning II squadron

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), reactivated during a ceremony on Thursday aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, following a four-year, seven-month hiatus.

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VMUT-2 serves as the Marine Corps' MQ-9A Reaper Fleet Replacement Squadron, whose primary mission is to train MQ-9 pilots and sensor operators in their respective military occupational specialties. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin) - A U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft system with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2 taxis at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Nov. 21, 2024. VMUT-2 serves as the Marine Corps' MQ-9A Reaper Fleet Replacement Squadron, whose primary mission is to train MQ-9 pilots and sensor operators in their respective military occupational specialties. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin)

VMUT-2 conducts first MQ-9A Reaper flight aboard MCAS Cherry Point

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2, a subordinate unit of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), conducted its first MQ-9A Reaper flight aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point today.

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U.S. Marine Corps SSgt. Charles Copeland, a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), poses for a photo while students of his Marine Corps Martial Arts Program course compete in a grappling session, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 7, 2024. Copeland hosted a MCMAP course for Marines of the 26th MEU to advance in their MCMAP belts and prepare them for hand-to-hand combat. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Osmar VasquezHernandez) - U.S. Marine Corps SSgt. Charles Copeland, a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), poses for a photo while students of his Marine Corps Martial Arts Program course compete in a grappling session, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 7, 2024. Copeland hosted a MCMAP course for Marines of the 26th MEU to advance in their MCMAP belts and prepare them for hand-to-hand combat. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Osmar VasquezHernandez)

Faces of the 26th MEU - SSgt. Charles Copeland

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Martial arts and combative sports are a skillset many people use for various ways. Some want to learn how to defend themselves in case they are ever attacked. Others have been involved in these sports for years and compete professionally. For U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Charles Copeland, the fire and effects coordination center chief at the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), martial arts and combative sports taught him how to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

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