II MEF News

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Dennis W. Sampson (left), the commanding officer for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), relieves Sgt. Maj. James Horr (center) of his duties as Sergeant Major the 26th MEU(SOC) during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Apr. 19, 2024. The relief and appointment ceremony serves as the official changeover between Sergeants Major, honoring the outgoing Sergeant’s Major contributions during his tenure and allowing the oncoming SgtMaj to introduce himself to the Marines now under his charge. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nayelly Nieves-Nieves) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Dennis W. Sampson (left), the commanding officer for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), relieves Sgt. Maj. James Horr (center) of his duties as Sergeant Major the 26th MEU(SOC) during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Apr. 19, 2024. The relief and appointment ceremony serves as the official changeover between Sergeants Major, honoring the outgoing Sergeant’s Major contributions during his tenure and allowing the oncoming SgtMaj to introduce himself to the Marines now under his charge. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nayelly Nieves-Nieves)

U.S. Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2 conduct familiarization training with an MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 11, 2024. Marines with VMUT-2 worked alongside civilian contractors to conduct familiarization training with VMUT-2’s first delivered and assembled MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft. VMUT-2 will serve as the Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper Fleet Replacement Squadron, whose primary mission is to train 7318 unmanned aerial systems officers and 8022 enlisted sensor operators. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - U.S. Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2 conduct familiarization training with an MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 11, 2024. Marines with VMUT-2 worked alongside civilian contractors to conduct familiarization training with VMUT-2’s first delivered and assembled MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft. VMUT-2 will serve as the Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper Fleet Replacement Squadron, whose primary mission is to train 7318 unmanned aerial systems officers and 8022 enlisted sensor operators. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David Ottignon, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) speaks to Marines with 8th Communication Battalion about the importance of their work during exercise Nordic Response 24, Bardufoss, Norway, March 4, 2024. II MEF Marines are participating in exercise Nordic Response 24 which is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation. This exercise will test military activities ranging from the reception of allied and partner reinforcements and command and control interoperability to combined joint operations, maritime prepositioning force logistics, integration under challenging Arctic conditions, in high-intensity warfighting including rugged terrain and extreme cold weather with NATO militaries and reacting against an adversary force during a dynamic training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacquilyn Davis) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out identification badges.) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David Ottignon, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) speaks to Marines with 8th Communication Battalion about the importance of their work during exercise Nordic Response 24, Bardufoss, Norway, March 4, 2024. II MEF Marines are participating in exercise Nordic Response 24 which is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation. This exercise will test military activities ranging from the reception of allied and partner reinforcements and command and control interoperability to combined joint operations, maritime prepositioning force logistics, integration under challenging Arctic conditions, in high-intensity warfighting including rugged terrain and extreme cold weather with NATO militaries and reacting against an adversary force during a dynamic training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacquilyn Davis) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out identification badges.)

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares to taxi at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 13, 2024. VMFA-542 is scheduled to deploy to Norway for Exercise Nordic Response 24. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Madison Blackstock) - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares to taxi at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 13, 2024. VMFA-542 is scheduled to deploy to Norway for Exercise Nordic Response 24. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Madison Blackstock)

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II jet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, lands in preparation for Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Norway, Feb. 16, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. Exercise Nordic Response 24 is VMFA-542's first overseas operational exercise as an F-35B Lightning II jet squadron. ( (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa) - A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II jet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, lands in preparation for Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Norway, Feb. 16, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. Exercise Nordic Response 24 is VMFA-542's first overseas operational exercise as an F-35B Lightning II jet squadron. ( (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)

U.S. Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force disembark a plane after landing in Bardufoss, Norway, Feb. 12, 2024, to take part in the NATO exercise Nordic Response 24. Around 2,500 U.S. Marines will join the exercise alongside NATO allies and Sweden. The goal is to strengthen coordination across air, ground, maritime and other domains into a unified fighting force ready to respond to any threat. NR 24 is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting in a challenging arctic environment. This exercise will test military activities ranging from the reception of allied and partner reinforcements and command and control interoperability to combined joint operations, maritime prepositioning force logistics, integration with NATO militaries, and reacting against an adversary force during a dynamic training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Jon Holmes) - U.S. Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force disembark a plane after landing in Bardufoss, Norway, Feb. 12, 2024, to take part in the NATO exercise Nordic Response 24. Around 2,500 U.S. Marines will join the exercise alongside NATO allies and Sweden. The goal is to strengthen coordination across air, ground, maritime and other domains into a unified fighting force ready to respond to any threat. NR 24 is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting in a challenging arctic environment. This exercise will test military activities ranging from the reception of allied and partner reinforcements and command and control interoperability to combined joint operations, maritime prepositioning force logistics, integration with NATO militaries, and reacting against an adversary force during a dynamic training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Jon Holmes)

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), board a CH-53E Super Stallion during an amphibious assault as part of Odyssey Encore, Volos, Greece, Jan. 8, 2024. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)’s Marine Air-Ground Task Force sustainment training enhances readiness and operational capabilities as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force and Joint Staff Immediate Response Force. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nayelly Nieves-Nieves) - U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), board a CH-53E Super Stallion during an amphibious assault as part of Odyssey Encore, Volos, Greece, Jan. 8, 2024. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)’s Marine Air-Ground Task Force sustainment training enhances readiness and operational capabilities as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force and Joint Staff Immediate Response Force. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nayelly Nieves-Nieves)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Gracelyn Oldham, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator with the Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) poses for a picture alongside multiple UAV systems while on the flight deck aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 10, 2023.Oldham is the only female UAV operator with Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th MEU(SOC) and will soon be the first in her Military Occupation Specialty to fly every group of drone systems. A native of Bluefield, West Virginia, she moved constantly having missionary parents, living in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Alabama, Tennessee, and Egypt are just a few of the locations she has resided.U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michele Clarke) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Gracelyn Oldham, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator with the Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) poses for a picture alongside multiple UAV systems while on the flight deck aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 10, 2023. Oldham is the only female UAV operator with Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th MEU(SOC) and will soon be the first in her Military Occupation Specialty to fly every group of drone systems. A native of Bluefield, West Virginia, she moved constantly having missionary parents, living in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Alabama, Tennessee, and Egypt are just a few of the locations she has resided. U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michele Clarke)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Earle, left, a Manassas, Virginia native and an infantry unit leader with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, and U.S. Navy retired Senior Chief Petty Officer Stanley Earle, a Charleston, South Carolina native, pose for a photo after a Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 29, 2023. The rank of chief petty officer was officially established April 1, 1893, and holding the title "Chief" means a Sailor has achieved senior non-commissioned officer status. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cara Castañeda) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Earle, left, a Manassas, Virginia native and an infantry unit leader with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, and U.S. Navy retired Senior Chief Petty Officer Stanley Earle, a Charleston, South Carolina native, pose for a photo after a Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 29, 2023. The rank of chief petty officer was officially established April 1, 1893, and holding the title "Chief" means a Sailor has achieved senior non-commissioned officer status. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cara Castañeda)