II MEF News

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 7, 2018) Members of the Israeli Defense Force observe flight operations aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), March 7, during exercise Juniper Cobra 2018 (JC18). JC18 is a computer-assisted exercise that is conducted through computer simulations focused on improving combined missile defense capabilities and overall interoperability between U.S. European Command and the Israel Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joe J. Cardona Gonzalez/Released) - 180307-N-ZK016-0040 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 7, 2018) Members of the Israeli Defense Force observe flight operations aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), March 7, during exercise Juniper Cobra 2018 (JC18). JC18 is a computer-assisted exercise that is conducted through computer simulations focused on improving combined missile defense capabilities and overall interoperability between U.S. European Command and the Israel Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joe J. Cardona Gonzalez/Released)

In a Nov. 20, 2020 photo, Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 21.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, hike through snow during a cold-weather live-fire training event in preparation for Exercise Reindeer II in Setermoen, Norway. More than 1,000 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., arrived in Norway in Jan. 2021 to build winter warfare skills. WILLIAM CHOCKEY/U.S. MARINE CORPS - In a Nov. 20, 2020 photo, Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 21.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, hike through snow during a cold-weather live-fire training event in preparation for Exercise Reindeer II in Setermoen, Norway. More than 1,000 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., arrived in Norway in Jan. 2021 to build winter warfare skills. WILLIAM CHOCKEY/U.S. MARINE CORPS

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. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Don J. Hernandez, II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion sergeant major, prepares to hand the colors to Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Neary, commanding general 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, during a change of command ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 5, 2020. Neary will be the commanding general of U.S. Marine Forces Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Lyden) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Don J. Hernandez, II Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion sergeant major, prepares to hand the colors to Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Neary, commanding general 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, during a change of command ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 5, 2020. Neary will be the commanding general of U.S. Marine Forces Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Lyden)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard Feldman, a machine gunner with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2Nd Marine Division, sights in with an M240B machine gun at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, Calif., Feb. 2, 2020. V36 conducted company and platoon attack training scenarios during Mountain Exercise 2-20 at MCMWTC to further their familiarization and warfighting capabilities in cold, mountainous terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacqueline Parsons - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard Feldman, a machine gunner with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2Nd Marine Division, sights in with an M240B machine gun at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, Calif., Feb. 2, 2020. V36 conducted company and platoon attack training scenarios during Mountain Exercise 2-20 at MCMWTC to further their familiarization and warfighting capabilities in cold, mountainous terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacqueline Parsons)

U.S. Marine Sgt. Mitch Nordskog, a Reconnaissance Marine with Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, and the American instructor for the Norwegian Military’s Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol course, instructs Marines during the LRRP in Norway, Feb. 22, 2020. The Marines are conducting the LRRP to strengthen the interoperability, mobility, expeditionary readiness and warfighting excellence of FORECON and the Norwegian Military. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Douds) - U.S. Marine Sgt. Mitch Nordskog, a Reconnaissance Marine with Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, and the American instructor for the Norwegian Military’s Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol course, instructs Marines during the LRRP in Norway, Feb. 22, 2020. The Marines are conducting the LRRP to strengthen the interoperability, mobility, expeditionary readiness and warfighting excellence of FORECON and the Norwegian Military. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Douds)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 451, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Forces Reserve, pose for a photo before doing a convoy from Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway caves to Værnes Garrison near Trondheim, Norway, Feb. 14, 2020. MCPP-N gear was later transported from Orkanger Port to Bogen Port in preparation for Exercise Cold Response. Cold Response is a Norwegian-led exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting in a challenging arctic environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Devin J. Andrews) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 451, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Forces Reserve, pose for a photo before doing a convoy from Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway caves to Værnes Garrison near Trondheim, Norway, Feb. 14, 2020. MCPP-N gear was later transported from Orkanger Port to Bogen Port in preparation for Exercise Cold Response. Cold Response is a Norwegian-led exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting in a challenging arctic environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Devin J. Andrews)

Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary, II Marine Expeditionary Force deputy commanding general, and Rear Adm. Matthew A. Zirkle, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa chief of staff, discuss Navy and Marine Corps expeditionary capabilities during Maritime Preposition Force Exercise 20 at U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, Feb. 12, 2020. MPFEX 20 demonstrates the ability of a Navy Marine Corps team to deploy, employ and redeploy a staff capable of commanding and controlling forces in support of operations in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Hector de Jesus) - Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary, II Marine Expeditionary Force deputy commanding general, and Rear Adm. Matthew A. Zirkle, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa chief of staff, discuss Navy and Marine Corps expeditionary capabilities during Maritime Preposition Force Exercise 20 at U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, Feb. 12, 2020. MPFEX 20 demonstrates the ability of a Navy Marine Corps team to deploy, employ and redeploy a staff capable of commanding and controlling forces in support of operations in Europe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Hector de Jesus)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Christian Drumheller, right, a mortarman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, loads an M375-series smoke cartridge into an M252 mortar tube during Exercise Fireball Eagle at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 4, 2020. The training consisted of multiple scenarios using aircraft and ground support fire to simulate real warfighting situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bolin Jr.) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Christian Drumheller, right, a mortarman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, loads an M375-series smoke cartridge into an M252 mortar tube during Exercise Fireball Eagle at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 4, 2020. The training consisted of multiple scenarios using aircraft and ground support fire to simulate real warfighting situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bolin Jr.)