II MEF News

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force, Norwegian service members and federal employees of Norway pose after off-loading military vehicles and equipment in preparation for NATO exercise Trident Juncture from ARC Resolve in Hammernesodden, Norway, Sept. 24, 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, Norwegian service members and federal employees of Norway pose after off-loading military vehicles and equipment in preparation for NATO exercise Trident Juncture from ARC Resolve in Hammernesodden, Norway, Sept. 24, 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.

A U.S. Marine advisor with Task Force Southwest speaks with his counterparts during a train, advise and assist mission at the Helmand Provincial Police Headquarters in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, July 9, 2017. This mission provided an opportunity for advisors to meet with their counterparts, review the security posture at the PHQ and ensure that Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have an effective defense of Lashkar Gah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff) - A U.S. Marine advisor with Task Force Southwest speaks with his counterparts during a train, advise and assist mission at the Helmand Provincial Police Headquarters in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, July 9, 2017. This mission provided an opportunity for advisors to meet with their counterparts, review the security posture at the PHQ and ensure that Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have an effective defense of Lashkar Gah. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff)

An Afghan National Army soldier with the 215th Corps and a U.S. Marine advisor with Task Force Southwest discuss offensive strategy during an advisory meeting at Camp Hanson, Afghanistan, June 13, 2017. Marines and Sailors from Task Force Southwest are supporting and assisting the 1st and 3rd Brigades of the 215th Corps during Operation Maiwand Three, which is designed to clear Nad-e Ali and Marjah of insurgents. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - An Afghan National Army soldier with the 215th Corps and a U.S. Marine advisor with Task Force Southwest discuss offensive strategy during an advisory meeting at Camp Hanson, Afghanistan, June 13, 2017. Marines and Sailors from Task Force Southwest are supporting and assisting the 1st and 3rd Brigades of the 215th Corps during Operation Maiwand Three, which is designed to clear Nad-e Ali and Marjah of insurgents. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Abdul Hadi Khalil, left, the deputy commanding general of the 215th Corps, salutes ANA soldiers with the 2nd Kandak, 4th Brigade during an opening ceremony for an operational readiness cycle at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, May 20, 2017. U.S. Marine advisors with Task Force Southwest will assess and make recommendations for sustainment and improvements throughout the eight-week course, which is led by the Helmand Province Regional Military Training Center. More than 600 ANA soldiers will develop their technical and tactical infantry skills to help thwart enemy presence in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Abdul Hadi Khalil, left, the deputy commanding general of the 215th Corps, salutes ANA soldiers with the 2nd Kandak, 4th Brigade during an opening ceremony for an operational readiness cycle at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, May 20, 2017. U.S. Marine advisors with Task Force Southwest will assess and make recommendations for sustainment and improvements throughout the eight-week course, which is led by the Helmand Province Regional Military Training Center. More than 600 ANA soldiers will develop their technical and tactical infantry skills to help thwart enemy presence in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

U.S. Marines came together to join a multinational force during BALTOPS 16, reassuring NATO allies and partner nations the U.S.’s commitment to security and stability in the Baltic Sea.( U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lucas Hopkins/Released) - U.S. Marines came together to join a multinational force during BALTOPS 16, reassuring NATO allies and partner nations the U.S.’s commitment to security and stability in the Baltic Sea.( U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lucas Hopkins/Released)

U.S. Marines joined forces with NATO allies and partner nations during Baltic Operations 16, building international relationships and strengthening security in the Baltic Sea region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley Lawson/Released) - U.S. Marines joined forces with NATO allies and partner nations during Baltic Operations 16, building international relationships and strengthening security in the Baltic Sea region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashley Lawson/Released)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company oversee a joint tactical air control operation with NATO partners at Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 25, 2016. The training enhanced interoperability between the U.S., French, British, and Dutch forces, while the U.S. Marines provided fire and aviation support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erick Galera/Released) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company oversee a joint tactical air control operation with NATO partners at Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 25, 2016. The training enhanced interoperability between the U.S., French, British, and Dutch forces, while the U.S. Marines provided fire and aviation support. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erick Galera/Released)

A U.S. Army soldier presents the capabilities of an M1A2 tank on display in Namsos, Norway, March 1, 2016, during Distinguished Visitor Day as part of Exercise Cold Response 16. Distinguished Visitor Day provided high-ranking personnel from all 13 participating countries an overview of the scope, intent and capabilities achieved through integration of personnel and equipment among NATO allies and partners nations. During Cold Response, more than 15,000 troops will work together, learn from each other and sustain and strengthen partnerships, operational capabilities, and coordination. - A U.S. Army soldier presents the capabilities of an M1A2 tank on display in Namsos, Norway, March 1, 2016, during Distinguished Visitor Day as part of Exercise Cold Response 16. Distinguished Visitor Day provided high-ranking personnel from all 13 participating countries an overview of the scope, intent and capabilities achieved through integration of personnel and equipment among NATO allies and partners nations. During Cold Response, more than 15,000 troops will work together, learn from each other and sustain and strengthen partnerships, operational capabilities, and coordination.

U.S. Marine Corps M1 Abrams tanks and Norwegian Leopard 2A4 Tanks rest in a field after training in Rena, Norway, 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) - U.S. Marine Corps M1 Abrams tanks and Norwegian Leopard 2A4 Tanks rest in a field after training in Rena, Norway, 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)

U.S. Marines and sailors with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade stabilize the neck of a notional Norwegian soldier casualty during combat casualty care at Rena, Norway, Feb. 17, 2016. About ten Marines from the unit form the shock trauma squad, which is designed to provide a second echelon of medical care to wounded service members when hospitals are either not available or unable to get to the patient in time. The two nations will team up for Exercise Cold Response 16, combining 10 other NATO allies and partner nations in order to enhance joint crisis response capabilities in cold weather environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lucas Hopkins/Released) - U.S. Marines and sailors with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade stabilize the neck of a notional Norwegian soldier casualty during combat casualty care at Rena, Norway, Feb. 17, 2016. About ten Marines from the unit form the shock trauma squad, which is designed to provide a second echelon of medical care to wounded service members when hospitals are either not available or unable to get to the patient in time. The two nations will team up for Exercise Cold Response 16, combining 10 other NATO allies and partner nations in order to enhance joint crisis response capabilities in cold weather environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lucas Hopkins/Released)