II MEF News

Royal Norwegian Navy Chaplain Hans K. Sundsbo holds a Lutheran service for servicemembers aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 24 in the Baltic Sea on June 9, 2024. NATO chaplains have been cross-decking between U.S., French, Spanish, and Dutch naval ships to provide religious services for servicemembers and participants of BALTOPS 24, ultimately fulfilling their integral role of enhancing the overall spiritual readiness and well-being of service members while strengthening the bonds between allied nations. BALTOPS 24, the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Josue Marquez) - Royal Norwegian Navy Chaplain Hans K. Sundsbo holds a Lutheran service for servicemembers aboard the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 24 in the Baltic Sea on June 9, 2024. NATO chaplains have been cross-decking between U.S., French, Spanish, and Dutch naval ships to provide religious services for servicemembers and participants of BALTOPS 24, ultimately fulfilling their integral role of enhancing the overall spiritual readiness and well-being of service members while strengthening the bonds between allied nations. BALTOPS 24, the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Josue Marquez)

A U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable, and Latvian National Guard soldier with 4th Brigade, 44th Infantry Battalion, set security during military operations in urban terrain as part of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 24 in Skrunda, Latvia, June 8, 2024. BALTOPS 24 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval forces Europe-Africa and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy) - A U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable, and Latvian National Guard soldier with 4th Brigade, 44th Infantry Battalion, set security during military operations in urban terrain as part of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 24 in Skrunda, Latvia, June 8, 2024. BALTOPS 24 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval forces Europe-Africa and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jon Peterson, left, commanding officer, 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, accepts a microphone from Lt. Col. Bethany Peterson, outgoing commanding officer of 2nd DSB, during a change of command ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 27, 2024. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Bethany Peterson relinquished command of 2nd DSB to her husband Lt. Col. Jon Peterson, after serving two years as the battalion’s commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica J. Mazzamuto) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jon Peterson, left, commanding officer, 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, accepts a microphone from Lt. Col. Bethany Peterson, outgoing commanding officer of 2nd DSB, during a change of command ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 27, 2024. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Bethany Peterson relinquished command of 2nd DSB to her husband Lt. Col. Jon Peterson, after serving two years as the battalion’s commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jessica J. Mazzamuto)

The reactivation of HMLA-269 provides 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force with additional offensive air support, utility support, armed escort, and airborne supporting arms capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Theodore Bergan) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jens Gilbertson, left, from Washington, the commanding officer, and Sgt. Maj. Perry Bessant, from South Carolina, the command senior enlisted leader, both with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, uncase the organizational colors during a reactivation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, July 1, 2024. The reactivation of HMLA-269 provides 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force with additional offensive air support, utility support, armed escort, and airborne supporting arms capability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Theodore Bergan)

240608-N-JC445-1024 BALTIC SEA (June 8, 2024) Ships participating in exercise Baltic Operations 2024 (BALTOPS 24) steam in formation through the Baltic Sea, June 8, 2024. BALTOPS24 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mario Coto) - 240608-N-JC445-1024 BALTIC SEA (June 8, 2024) Ships participating in exercise Baltic Operations 2024 (BALTOPS 24) steam in formation through the Baltic Sea, June 8, 2024. BALTOPS24 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mario Coto)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David A. Ottignon, the commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, meets with 98-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran Charles “Chester” Clapper during a celebration in Clapper’s honor at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 12, 2024. Clapper, whose life goal was to enjoy a beer with a U.S. Marine Corps General, was drafted into military service in 1943 and served as a flame thrower during the Battle of Iwo Jima, being one of seven surviving members of his company following the battle. One of Clapper’s life goals was to enjoy a beer with a U.S. Marine Corps General. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Noah Seal) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David A. Ottignon, the commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, meets with 98-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran Charles “Chester” Clapper during a celebration in Clapper’s honor at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 12, 2024. Clapper, whose life goal was to enjoy a beer with a U.S. Marine Corps General, was drafted into military service in 1943 and served as a flame thrower during the Battle of Iwo Jima, being one of seven surviving members of his company following the battle. One of Clapper’s life goals was to enjoy a beer with a U.S. Marine Corps General. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Noah Seal)

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC), takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) to establish a forward base of operations in Sweden during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 24 while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, June 9, 2024. BALTOPS 24 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John Allen) - A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC), takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) to establish a forward base of operations in Sweden during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 24 while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, June 9, 2024. BALTOPS 24 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John Allen)

U.S. Marines with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, 2d Marine Division, participate in a live fire and maneuver drill during the Scout School course on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 5, 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. Cara Castañeda) - U.S. Marines with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, 2d Marine Division, participate in a live fire and maneuver drill during the Scout School course on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Nov. 5, 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. Cara Castañeda)

The official logo for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. - The official logo for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith speaks to Marines and sailors with Task Force 61/2 during a town hall meeting at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, May 29, 2024. The town hall meeting was held to discuss the future of naval expeditionary warfare and other Marine Corps-wide modernization such as Force Design, talent management, retention, training and education. TF 61/2 is a forward-deployed command element in support of U.S. Sixth Fleet operations in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, and is deployed in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to support U.S. allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Marc Imprevert) - Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith speaks to Marines and sailors with Task Force 61/2 during a town hall meeting at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, May 29, 2024. The town hall meeting was held to discuss the future of naval expeditionary warfare and other Marine Corps-wide modernization such as Force Design, talent management, retention, training and education. TF 61/2 is a forward-deployed command element in support of U.S. Sixth Fleet operations in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, and is deployed in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to support U.S. allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Marc Imprevert)