II MEF News

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. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John Fleming, a rifleman with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, observes a call for fire during the Isaak Competition at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, June 10, 2020. 2nd LAR hosts the annual competition to honor Cpl. Garreth Isaak, a LAR Marine who earned the Silver Star posthumously for actions during Operation Just Cause. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Reine Whitaker) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John Fleming, a rifleman with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, observes a call for fire during the Isaak Competition at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, June 10, 2020. 2nd LAR hosts the annual competition to honor Cpl. Garreth Isaak, a LAR Marine who earned the Silver Star posthumously for actions during Operation Just Cause. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Reine Whitaker)

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)

Lance Cpl. Fabian Vigil (left) and Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Fox prepare an AV-8B II Harrier attack jet for take-off during a training mission with the 175th Fighter Squadron, 114th Fighter Wing at Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, S.D, Oct. 5, 2019. Marine Attack Squadron 231 and 175th FS, 114th FW are participating in force-on-force training consisting of simulated air-to-air combat and air-to-ground strikes to enhance interoperability and readiness. Fabian and Fox are aircraft ordnance technicians with VMA-231. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin Umboh) - Lance Cpl. Fabian Vigil (left) and Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Fox prepare an AV-8B II Harrier attack jet for take-off during a training mission with the 175th Fighter Squadron, 114th Fighter Wing at Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, S.D, Oct. 5, 2019. Marine Attack Squadron 231 and 175th FS, 114th FW are participating in force-on-force training consisting of simulated air-to-air combat and air-to-ground strikes to enhance interoperability and readiness. Fabian and Fox are aircraft ordnance technicians with VMA-231. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gavin Umboh)

Light Armored Vehicles with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance, cross a medium girder bridge as part of Exercise Trident Juncture 18 near Voll, Norway, Oct. 30, 2018. The bridge construction enables ground units to complete a gap crossing during the exercise, which is one of the general engineering tasks 2nd Marine Logistics Group provides to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Trident Juncture 18 enhances the U.S. and NATO Allies’ and partners’ abilities to work together collectively to conduct military operations under challenging conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott R. Jenkins) - Light Armored Vehicles with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance, cross a medium girder bridge as part of Exercise Trident Juncture 18 near Voll, Norway, Oct. 30, 2018. The bridge construction enables ground units to complete a gap crossing during the exercise, which is one of the general engineering tasks 2nd Marine Logistics Group provides to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Trident Juncture 18 enhances the U.S. and NATO Allies’ and partners’ abilities to work together collectively to conduct military operations under challenging conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott R. Jenkins)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Truman Jackson, a data systems administrator with II Marine Support Battalion, II Marine Information Group, communicates with Command Operations Center during a convoy operation for Exercise Trident Juncture 18 in Norway, Nov. 2, 2018. Trident Juncture 18 demonstrates II Marine Expeditionary Force’s ability to deploy, employ, and redeploy the Marine Air Ground Task Force while improving interoperability with NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick Osino) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Truman Jackson, a data systems administrator with II Marine Support Battalion, II Marine Information Group, communicates with Command Operations Center during a convoy operation for Exercise Trident Juncture 18 in Norway, Nov. 2, 2018. Trident Juncture 18 demonstrates II Marine Expeditionary Force’s ability to deploy, employ, and redeploy the Marine Air Ground Task Force while improving interoperability with NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick Osino)

A mortar team with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, take cover on the firing line as a mortar round shoots out of the barrel during a training exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 6, 2016. Marines underwent mortar familiarization and proficiency training in preparation for their upcoming deployment in support of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron K. Fiala/Released) - A mortar team with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, take cover on the firing line as a mortar round shoots out of the barrel during a training exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 6, 2016. Marines underwent mortar familiarization and proficiency training in preparation for their upcoming deployment in support of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron K. Fiala/Released)

Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 2 prepare MK-19 automatic grenade launcher ammunition for familiarization training at shooting range G-3 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Apr. 29, 2016. The training honed their accuracy, communication abilities and suppressive fire capabilities. - Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 2 prepare MK-19 automatic grenade launcher ammunition for familiarization training at shooting range G-3 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Apr. 29, 2016. The training honed their accuracy, communication abilities and suppressive fire capabilities.

Lance Cpl. Thomas Hunt, a designated marksman with 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion, looks through the scope of his M110 sniper rifle while concealed in the tree line during the II Marine Expeditionary Force Command Post Exercise 3 at Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 20, 2016. During the CPX, 2nd LEB posted security around the campsite and defended it from mock enemies, ensuring the headquarters element could complete the mission safely. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michelle Reif/Released) - Lance Cpl. Thomas Hunt, a designated marksman with 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion, looks through the scope of his M110 sniper rifle while concealed in the tree line during the II Marine Expeditionary Force Command Post Exercise 3 at Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 20, 2016. During the CPX, 2nd LEB posted security around the campsite and defended it from mock enemies, ensuring the headquarters element could complete the mission safely. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michelle Reif/Released)

Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller (right), commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks to Lt. Col. Robert Bodisch, commanding officer of 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, about the progression of the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation, “Iron Blitz,” at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 22, 2016. Iron Blitz is a weeklong, large scale operation and combat-readiness evaluation used to test the battalion’s ability to integrate all aspects of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and function as a deployment-ready unit. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shannon Kroening) - Maj. Gen. Walter L. Miller (right), commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks to Lt. Col. Robert Bodisch, commanding officer of 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, about the progression of the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation, “Iron Blitz,” at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 22, 2016. Iron Blitz is a weeklong, large scale operation and combat-readiness evaluation used to test the battalion’s ability to integrate all aspects of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and function as a deployment-ready unit. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shannon Kroening)