II MEF News

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)

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)

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302 wait aboard a CH-53E Super Stallion for signals from a Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Transportation Support Battalion, landing support specialist, indicating it is safe to take off with the cargo, during external lifts at landing zone Phoenix, Camp Davis, North Carolina, April 6, 2016. The purpose of external lifts is to transport larger amounts of supplies and heavy gear where other ground vehicles can’t access. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Fiala/Released.) - Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302 wait aboard a CH-53E Super Stallion for signals from a Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Transportation Support Battalion, landing support specialist, indicating it is safe to take off with the cargo, during external lifts at landing zone Phoenix, Camp Davis, North Carolina, April 6, 2016. The purpose of external lifts is to transport larger amounts of supplies and heavy gear where other ground vehicles can’t access. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Fiala/Released.)

Lance Cpl. Arnaldo Avendano, a military policeman with 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion, takes a cover position during an assault course at Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 16, 2016. This drill is part of an annual training event to prepare them for combat situations when they are called upon to deploy. Marines took turns providing cover fire for their partner, allowing them to advance to the simulated enemy position. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron K. Fiala/Released) - Lance Cpl. Arnaldo Avendano, a military policeman with 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion, takes a cover position during an assault course at Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 16, 2016. This drill is part of an annual training event to prepare them for combat situations when they are called upon to deploy. Marines took turns providing cover fire for their partner, allowing them to advance to the simulated enemy position. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron K. Fiala/Released)

Sgt. Dereck Ford, a technician with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, teaches Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 how to power up and recalibrate a metal detector during an improvised explosive device training exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 23, 2016. CLB-2 Marines learned how to recognize signs of an IED and use the detector to identify the type of IED that may be present as they conducted hands-on training in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron K. Fiala/Released) - Sgt. Dereck Ford, a technician with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, teaches Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 how to power up and recalibrate a metal detector during an improvised explosive device training exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 23, 2016. CLB-2 Marines learned how to recognize signs of an IED and use the detector to identify the type of IED that may be present as they conducted hands-on training in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron K. Fiala/Released)

Lance Cpl. Jarod L. Smith, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365, fires a mounted M2 Browning .50-caliber machine gun from the back of the MV-22B Osprey during a live fire training session off the coast of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., Feb. 10, 2016. Marines with VMM-365 flew to a landing zone, which allowed pilots to practice CALs in their Osprey’s and then flew several miles off the coast to practice their proficiency with the .50-caliber machine gun. (U.S. Marine Corp photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron K. Fiala/Released) - Lance Cpl. Jarod L. Smith, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365, fires a mounted M2 Browning .50-caliber machine gun from the back of the MV-22B Osprey during a live fire training session off the coast of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., Feb. 10, 2016. Marines with VMM-365 flew to a landing zone, which allowed pilots to practice CALs in their Osprey’s and then flew several miles off the coast to practice their proficiency with the .50-caliber machine gun. (U.S. Marine Corp photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron K. Fiala/Released)

The 2nd Marine Division Band enters Riverwalk Crossing Park during the 2nd Marine Division’s 75th anniversary parade in downtown Jacksonville, N.C., Feb. 6, 2016. The celebration serves as a time to remember the Marines and sailors who served and continue to serve in 2nd Marine Division, while thanking the local community for their support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez/Released) - The 2nd Marine Division Band enters Riverwalk Crossing Park during the 2nd Marine Division’s 75th anniversary parade in downtown Jacksonville, N.C., Feb. 6, 2016. The celebration serves as a time to remember the Marines and sailors who served and continue to serve in 2nd Marine Division, while thanking the local community for their support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez/Released)

Jared Torgeson and Mitch Whitesel exchange punches during Leatherneck IV, MMA Fight Night Live aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 2, 2015. Marines gathered at Goettge Memorial Field House to watch nine professional fights and meet special guest five-time UFC Champion and UFC Hall of Famer, Randy Couture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Kane Fiala/Released) - Jared Torgeson and Mitch Whitesel exchange punches during Leatherneck IV, MMA Fight Night Live aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 2, 2015. Marines gathered at Goettge Memorial Field House to watch nine professional fights and meet special guest five-time UFC Champion and UFC Hall of Famer, Randy Couture. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Kane Fiala/Released)

Sgt. Scott Roush, the security chief and senior intelligence analyst for Marine Aircraft Group 26, receives an award congratulating him on his accomplishments as honor graduate of the Squadron Intelligence Training and Certification Course during a graduation ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station New River, Aug. 28, 2015. The students spent 19 training days and more than 90 class hours learning aviation-specific intelligence skills such as structured analytic techniques, comprehensive threat education, capabilities and limitation of all Marine Corps aircraft and how to support a large scale exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michelle Reif/Released.) - Sgt. Scott Roush, the security chief and senior intelligence analyst for Marine Aircraft Group 26, receives an award congratulating him on his accomplishments as honor graduate of the Squadron Intelligence Training and Certification Course during a graduation ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station New River, Aug. 28, 2015. The students spent 19 training days and more than 90 class hours learning aviation-specific intelligence skills such as structured analytic techniques, comprehensive threat education, capabilities and limitation of all Marine Corps aircraft and how to support a large scale exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michelle Reif/Released.)

A Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, operates an M240B medium machine gun turret during a field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 25, 2015. Marines with the unit assaulted a simulated town, set up a defensive position and repelled simulated enemy attacks in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Fiala/Released.) - A Marine with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, operates an M240B medium machine gun turret during a field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 25, 2015. Marines with the unit assaulted a simulated town, set up a defensive position and repelled simulated enemy attacks in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Fiala/Released.)