II MEF News

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)

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

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., marking the end of a seven-month deployment to the Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet with the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) .While forward deployed aboard the ships of the USS Bataan ARG, the 26th MEU served as a crisis-response force for combatant commanders in the Europe, Africa and Central commands. The 26th MEU supported operations and engagements, conducted theater security cooperation activities with bilateral partners, and executed sustainment training to ensure the force was postured and prepared to respond to crises and contingencies.“As a ‘certain force in an uncertain world’ the 26th MEU was flexible, resilient and adaptable while forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and 6th Fleet areas of operation,” said Col. Trevor Hall, commanding officer of the 26th MEU. “This deployment presented unique challenges, but the Navy-Marine Corps team prevailed and incessantly provided our fleet commanders with a responsive, sea-based Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) – even during the global novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.”Having deployed in December 2019, the 26th MEU was one of the few Marine Corps units forward deployed during the COVID-19 epidemic. As seaports and airports around the globe closed, the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with embarked 26th MEU adapted and developed creative ways to maintain its readiness. While operating in the Arabian Gulf, the MAGTF executed non-live fire and live-fire training in remote locations in the United Arab Emirates and on uninhabited Saudi Arabian islands. This training preserved the MEU’s readiness – while also reducing COVID-19 exposure, which allowed the ARGMEU to remain a COVID-free force for the duration of its seven-month deployment. - The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., marking the end of a seven-month deployment to the Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet with the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) . , unconventional and hybrid warfare.

U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 20.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, arrive at Móron Air Base, Spain on June 9, 2020. SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.2 is deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Africa and promote regional stability by conducting military-to-military training exercises throughout Europe and Africa. SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.2 continues to work closely with the relevant medical agencies and military organizations to minimize risk of COVID-19 exposure. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tawanya Norwood) - U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 20.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, arrive at Móron Air Base, Spain on June 9, 2020. SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.2 is deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Africa and promote regional stability by conducting military-to-military training exercises throughout Europe and Africa. SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.2 continues to work closely with the relevant medical agencies and military organizations to minimize risk of COVID-19 exposure. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tawanya Norwood)

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Europe, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, fire their weapons during a battle sight zero range in Setermoen, Norway, June 4, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the Marines implemented social distancing procedures into their training and are taking precautions to ensure they do not expose themselves to anyone who may be infected. MRF-E conducts various exercises including arctic cold-weather and mountain-warfare training, as well as military-to-military engagements throughout Europe that enhance cooperation among partners and allies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Abrey Liggins) - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Europe, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, fire their weapons during a battle sight zero range in Setermoen, Norway, June 4, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the Marines implemented social distancing procedures into their training and are taking precautions to ensure they do not expose themselves to anyone who may be infected. MRF-E conducts various exercises including arctic cold-weather and mountain-warfare training, as well as military-to-military engagements throughout Europe that enhance cooperation among partners and allies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Abrey Liggins)

Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force, Task Force Northeast, and augmented service members command and control Title 10 forces in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency at Fort Devens, Mass., April 26, 2020. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing flexible Department of Defense support to FEMA for the whole-of-nation COVID-19 response. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff. Sgt. Hector de Jesus) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out identification badges.) - Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force, Task Force Northeast, and augmented service members command and control Title 10 forces in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency at Fort Devens, Mass., April 26, 2020. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing flexible Department of Defense support to FEMA for the whole-of-nation COVID-19 response. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff. Sgt. Hector de Jesus) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out identification badges.)

Marines assigned to Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit an MV-22B Osprey to conduct platoon-level training on Kurayn Island, Saudi Arabia, April 22, 2020. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th MEU, supported by air power from the Aviation Combat Element of the ARG/MEU, including AV-8B Harriers and attack helicopters, are conducting routine sustainment training in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in order to enhance the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to employ low-signature, operationally relevant and strategically mobile crisis response forces to project power over key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tanner Seims) - Marines assigned to Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit an MV-22B Osprey to conduct platoon-level training on Kurayn Island, Saudi Arabia, April 22, 2020. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th MEU, supported by air power from the Aviation Combat Element of the ARG/MEU, including AV-8B Harriers and attack helicopters, are conducting routine sustainment training in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in order to enhance the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to employ low-signature, operationally relevant and strategically mobile crisis response forces to project power over key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tanner Seims)

Assault amphibious vehicles assigned to Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stage on the beach of Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 20, 2020. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th MEU are conducting routine sustainment training in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in order to enhance the Navy-Marine Corps team's ability to employ low-signature, operationally relevant and strategically mobile crisis response forces to project power over key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Gary Jayne III) - Assault amphibious vehicles assigned to Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stage on the beach of Karan Island, Saudi Arabia, April 20, 2020. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th MEU are conducting routine sustainment training in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in order to enhance the Navy-Marine Corps team's ability to employ low-signature, operationally relevant and strategically mobile crisis response forces to project power over key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Gary Jayne III)