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)

24th MEU Conducts Live-Fire from the Sea

ABOARD USS IWO JIMA – This past weekend, Marines and Sailors of 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted a company-sized live-fire amphibious raid during the unit’s Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX)—the first time in recent history that a live-fire evolution of this type and scale has taken place during an East Coast-based MEU’s pre-deployment training.

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New Marine Rotational Force Deploys to Norway for Winter Training alongside Norwegian Allies

The Marines and Sailors of the “Teufelhunden Battalion” are the next rotational deployment of Marine Rotational Force-Europe. After a quarantine period at their training location in Norway, to mitigate the risk of COVID exposure and transmission, the Marines will conduct bilateral arctic warfare training, improve interoperability, and strengthen defense capabilities alongside Norwegian allies.

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Locate, Close With, and Destroy the Enemy

Blazing sun, humidity, and the sounds of Marines training fill the mornings from July 8 until July 31, 2020 as Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division conduct a deployment for training in preparation for combat to ensure the battalion’s combat effectiveness as the Forward Deployed Battalion in support of Major Combat Operations around the globe.

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A crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, leads Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment to board a CH-53E Super Stallion during Exercise Deep Water 2020 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., July 29, 2020. The purpose of the exercise is to increase 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s interoperability and readiness on a scale that simulates peer-level threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Yuritzy Gomez) - A crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, leads Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment to board a CH-53E Super Stallion during Exercise Deep Water 2020 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., July 29, 2020. The purpose of the exercise is to increase 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s interoperability and readiness on a scale that simulates peer-level threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Yuritzy Gomez)

II MEF conducts regimental air assault during Exercise Deep Water

Marines commanded by II Marine Expeditionary Force began a two-battalion air assault as a part of Exercise Deep Water today on Camp Lejeune (CLNC). An exercise of this size has not been conducted in almost 20 years and is roughly double the size of Exercise Steel Pike, conducted in 2019.

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U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Hubert Robertson, left, S-3 assistant training chief and Sgt. Christopher Whitby, right, watch chief with Provost Marshal Office, both with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, pose for a photo at building 8 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 13, 2020. Robertson and Whitby collaborated together and presented a new digital classroom for Marines attending Lance Corporals Leadership and Ethics Seminar. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Karina Lopezmata - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Hubert Robertson, left, S-3 assistant training chief and Sgt. Christopher Whitby, right, watch chief with Provost Marshal Office, both with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, pose for a photo at building 8 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 13, 2020. Robertson and Whitby collaborated together and presented a new digital classroom for Marines attending Lance Corporals Leadership and Ethics Seminar. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Karina Lopezmata)

Camp Lejeune Marines adjust training, brings virtual Lance Corporal Seminar during COVID-19

Across the Marine Corps, units have adjusted to meet training requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is no exception.

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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)

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit trains on Saudi Arabian islands

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, conducted routine amphibious assault training on the islands of Karan and Kurayn, Saudi Arabia, April 20-22.

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Samuel Argentieri, a light armored vehicle mechanic, with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fires his rifle at a notional enemy target during a live-fire range on the National Training Center 20-05 in Ft. Irwin, Calif., March 22, 2020. The National Training Center is a unique opportunity that allows Marines and Sailors to train with and against a peer competitor in a conventional combat operational setting. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elijah J. Abernathy) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Samuel Argentieri, a light armored vehicle mechanic, with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fires his rifle at a notional enemy target during a live-fire range on the National Training Center 20-05 in Ft. Irwin, Calif., March 22, 2020. The National Training Center is a unique opportunity that allows Marines and Sailors to train with and against a peer competitor in a conventional combat operational setting. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elijah J. Abernathy)

Desert Playground: NTC 20-05

U.S. Marines and Sailors with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division trained in primarily conventional combat operations during National Training Center 20-05 at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., March 17, 2020.

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Lance Cpl. Danielle Giles, a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense specialist with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, conducts 360 reconnaissance during Dismount Recon Sets Kit and Outfits training at the Guardian Center in Perry, Ga., Aug. 17, 2018. DRSKO training enhanced CBRN’s capabilities by providing realistic scenarios to test their minds and techniques. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Melanye Martinez) - Lance Cpl. Danielle Giles, a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense specialist with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, conducts 360 reconnaissance during Dismount Recon Sets Kit and Outfits training at the Guardian Center in Perry, Ga., Aug. 17, 2018. DRSKO training enhanced CBRN’s capabilities by providing realistic scenarios to test their minds and techniques. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Melanye Martinez)

Enhanced CBRN explosive training decontamination

U.S. Marine Corps Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear defense specialists with Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division decontaminate pig carcasses during enhanced CBRN explosive training 20-1 at the Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia. March 12, 2020.

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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)

The Sounds of the Hell Hounds at MTX 2-20

It was a cloudy afternoon, but the sun still reflected off the snow-capped mountains giving 1st Lt. Elaine Lewis, battalion adjutant with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, light to check her roster for accountability. Personnel, packs, weapons, and motor transportation assets all had to be verified and transmitted back to the command and control center. At this point, V36 had been at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California for almost a month. They grew used to the thick, bright snow, bone-chilling wind, and constant need to change socks. One constant they could not become complacent with was the radio static. Radios must be watched nonstop; communication must stay consistent and fluid up and down the mountain.

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U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division standby for breakfast at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, Calif., Feb. 2, 2020. V36 conducted 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. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division standby for breakfast at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, Calif., Feb. 2, 2020. V36 conducted 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)

More Than A Day Trip

The Marines and Sailors of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division return to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina after not one, but two exercise experiences in Twentynine Palms, Calif. From patrolling in the snowy mountains of Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center to maneuvering through the tumbleweeds of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, V36 put its expeditionary mindset into action to advance its warfighting excellence.

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