II MEF News

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)

Marines establish communications during Trident Juncture 18 on Alvund Beach, Oct. 29, 2018 after being delivered ashore from USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). The Marines and vehicles were transported via the U.S. Navy’s landing craft air cushion which rapidly brought Marine Corps combat power from the ship to the shore. Trident Juncture exercises tactics and procedures in different environments which enables forces to remain ready and improve interoperability. The amphibious landing prepares the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to work effectively, swiftly and collectively to respond to threats in any location. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale) - Marines establish communications during Trident Juncture 18 on Alvund Beach, Oct. 29, 2018 after being delivered ashore from USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). The Marines and vehicles were transported via the U.S. Navy’s landing craft air cushion which rapidly brought Marine Corps combat power from the ship to the shore. Trident Juncture exercises tactics and procedures in different environments which enables forces to remain ready and improve interoperability. The amphibious landing prepares the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to work effectively, swiftly and collectively to respond to threats in any location. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale)

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force, standby to off-load equipment for NATO exercise Trident Juncture from ARC Resolve in Hammernesodden, Norway, Sept. 23, 2018. Marines and service members from the Norwegian Armed Services unloaded nearly 200 military vehicles and more than 70 containers with military equipment as planned in two days despite cold weather with periods of rain and sleet. Seven different organizations, which had never worked together before came together on a shortened timeline and conducted a successful operation, said Maj. Valerie Schwindt, operations officer, Arrival and Assembly Operation Group, II MEF. Trident Juncture is the largest live NATO exercise since 2002 and is scheduled to take place in October with more than 40,000 troops from 28 allied nations participating. - U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force, standby to off-load equipment for NATO exercise Trident Juncture from ARC Resolve in Hammernesodden, Norway, Sept. 23, 2018. Marines and service members from the Norwegian Armed Services unloaded nearly 200 military vehicles and more than 70 containers with military equipment as planned in two days despite cold weather with periods of rain and sleet. Seven different organizations, which had never worked together before came together on a shortened timeline and conducted a successful operation, said Maj. Valerie Schwindt, operations officer, Arrival and Assembly Operation Group, II MEF. Trident Juncture is the largest live NATO exercise since 2002 and is scheduled to take place in October with more than 40,000 troops from 28 allied nations participating.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Demarcus Robinson with Service Company, Headquarters Regiment, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, tosses broken tree branches into a pile at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 17, 2018. Recovery and repair efforts began on base Saturday, September 15, with the majority of efforts focused on clearing roadways and restoring power to critical areas at Camp Lejeune following Hurricane Florence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bethanie C. Sahms) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Demarcus Robinson with Service Company, Headquarters Regiment, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, tosses broken tree branches into a pile at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 17, 2018. Recovery and repair efforts began on base Saturday, September 15, with the majority of efforts focused on clearing roadways and restoring power to critical areas at Camp Lejeune following Hurricane Florence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bethanie C. Sahms)

Lance Cpl. Derek Perez-Pantoja fires an M4 Carbine rifle during a training exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov 16, 2016. The Marines practiced squad-sized movements in order to maintain unit readiness for their upcoming Integrated Training Exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center in Twentynine Palms, California. Perez-Pantoja is a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Jon Sosner) - Lance Cpl. Derek Perez-Pantoja fires an M4 Carbine rifle during a training exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov 16, 2016. The Marines practiced squad-sized movements in order to maintain unit readiness for their upcoming Integrated Training Exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center in Twentynine Palms, California. Perez-Pantoja is a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Jon Sosner)

Marines with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment buddy rush the objective at Landing Zone Cardinal at Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 10, 2016. The battalion conducted a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in preparation for the upcoming 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit slated in early 2017. - Marines with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment buddy rush the objective at Landing Zone Cardinal at Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 10, 2016. The battalion conducted a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in preparation for the upcoming 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit slated in early 2017.

Sailors with 2nd Medical Battalion provide first aid to a simulated trauma victim during a the final scenario of Health Service Augmentation Program training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 22, 2016. HSAP training, a week-long field exercise, is geared towards training medical personnel to function in a shock trauma platoon in a deployed environment. - Sailors with 2nd Medical Battalion provide first aid to a simulated trauma victim during a the final scenario of Health Service Augmentation Program training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 22, 2016. HSAP training, a week-long field exercise, is geared towards training medical personnel to function in a shock trauma platoon in a deployed environment.

A Norwegian recovery vehicle hooks up to a U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicle prior to the start of a live-fire range in Rena, Norway, as part of their pre-exercise training Feb. 17,2016. The Marines and Norwegian Army are working together as part of Exercise Cold Response, a joint NATO and allied country exercise comprised of 12 countries and approximately 16,000 troops. The U.S. European Command appreciates the opportunity for taking part in such a large multinational exercise at the invitation of our Norwegian Allies; and we are especially thankful for the chance to put our skills to the test in unique cold weather conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Chad McMeen/Released) - A Norwegian recovery vehicle hooks up to a U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicle prior to the start of a live-fire range in Rena, Norway, as part of their pre-exercise training Feb. 17,2016. The Marines and Norwegian Army are working together as part of Exercise Cold Response, a joint NATO and allied country exercise comprised of 12 countries and approximately 16,000 troops. The U.S. European Command appreciates the opportunity for taking part in such a large multinational exercise at the invitation of our Norwegian Allies; and we are especially thankful for the chance to put our skills to the test in unique cold weather conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Chad McMeen/Released)