II MEF News

Marines with Task Force Southwest tend to a simulated casualty during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel training scenario at Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 2, 2017. The week-long rehearsal consisted of advisory meetings with Afghan role players, medical drills and combat scenarios, preparing the unit for an upcoming deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Task Force Southwest is comprised of approximately 300 Marines, whose mission will be to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and 505th Zone National Police. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Marines with Task Force Southwest tend to a simulated casualty during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel training scenario at Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 2, 2017. The week-long rehearsal consisted of advisory meetings with Afghan role players, medical drills and combat scenarios, preparing the unit for an upcoming deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Task Force Southwest is comprised of approximately 300 Marines, whose mission will be to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and 505th Zone National Police. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

A Marine dives from the back of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules to land at a pre-determined landing zone at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bouge, N.C., Feb. 23, 2017. The Marine conducted high-altitude free fall jumps as part of their yearly training for combat parachute operations. The Marine is with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Miranda Faughn) - A Marine dives from the back of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules to land at a pre-determined landing zone at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bouge, N.C., Feb. 23, 2017. The Marine conducted high-altitude free fall jumps as part of their yearly training for combat parachute operations. The Marine is with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Miranda Faughn)

The Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Unit Headquarters Group compete in the Maj. Gen. William Pendleton Thompson Hill Awards for Food Service Excellence competition at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 15, 2017. The awards were created to recognize Marine Corps mess operations for their outstanding performance. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shannon Kroening) - The Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Unit Headquarters Group compete in the Maj. Gen. William Pendleton Thompson Hill Awards for Food Service Excellence competition at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 15, 2017. The awards were created to recognize Marine Corps mess operations for their outstanding performance. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shannon Kroening)

Marines return back to their forward operating base after mounted and dismounted patrols at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 9, 2017. Marines took part in a monthly field exercise where they practiced company-level operations as well as tactical site exploitation and detainee operations. The Marines are with Law Enforcement Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Miranda Faughn) - Marines return back to their forward operating base after mounted and dismounted patrols at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 9, 2017. Marines took part in a monthly field exercise where they practiced company-level operations as well as tactical site exploitation and detainee operations. The Marines are with Law Enforcement Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Miranda Faughn)

Shaun Sorensen, right, a small unmanned aerial systems instructor with Training and Logistics Support Activity, instructs a Marine with Task Force Southwest on proper controls for the Instant Eye SUAS at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 8, 2017. The Instant Eye is the first drone in the Marine Corps’ repertoire that can launch and land without a runway or manpower assistance. Approximately 300 Marines are assigned to Task Force Southwest, whose mission will be to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and 505th Zone National Police. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Shaun Sorensen, right, a small unmanned aerial systems instructor with Training and Logistics Support Activity, instructs a Marine with Task Force Southwest on proper controls for the Instant Eye SUAS at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 8, 2017. The Instant Eye is the first drone in the Marine Corps’ repertoire that can launch and land without a runway or manpower assistance. Approximately 300 Marines are assigned to Task Force Southwest, whose mission will be to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and 505th Zone National Police. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

Marines with Task Force Southwest speak with an Afghan role player and an interpreter during a rapport-building exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 2, 2016. A team of about 30 Marines with the unit trained to enhance their communicative skillsets and build relationships with role players in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Task Force Southwest is comprised of approximately 300 Marines, whose mission will be to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and 505th Zone National Police. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins) - Marines with Task Force Southwest speak with an Afghan role player and an interpreter during a rapport-building exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 2, 2016. A team of about 30 Marines with the unit trained to enhance their communicative skillsets and build relationships with role players in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Task Force Southwest is comprised of approximately 300 Marines, whose mission will be to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and 505th Zone National Police. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Hopkins)

Marines with Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, count and prepare the ammunition to be used for training during a live fire exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 3, 2017. The Marines conducted the training in order to familiarize themselves with their newly issued rifles in preparation for annual rifle qualifications. The Marines were able to get their Battle Sight Zero (BZO) to provide accurate and effective training as they continue on to other ranges in the coming months. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shannon Kroening) - Marines with Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, count and prepare the ammunition to be used for training during a live fire exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 3, 2017. The Marines conducted the training in order to familiarize themselves with their newly issued rifles in preparation for annual rifle qualifications. The Marines were able to get their Battle Sight Zero (BZO) to provide accurate and effective training as they continue on to other ranges in the coming months. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shannon Kroening)

Marines relay communications to the command operation center during an embassy reinforcement exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 25, 2017. The exercise is part of a preparation for deployment for a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The Marines are with Alpha Co., 2nd Radio Battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan A. Soto-Delgado) - Marines relay communications to the command operation center during an embassy reinforcement exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 25, 2017. The exercise is part of a preparation for deployment for a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The Marines are with Alpha Co., 2nd Radio Battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juan A. Soto-Delgado)

A Marine with 2nd Marine Division fills out his card at the sign in station for the 2nd MarDiv 50 mile hike at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 1, 2017. The cards enable the marines to log their hours during the challenge and provides credibility to their achievements upon completion. The hike originated in 1908 with an executive order administered by President Theodore Roosevelt and has since then only been attempted and completed twice since its inception. - A Marine with 2nd Marine Division fills out his card at the sign in station for the 2nd MarDiv 50 mile hike at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 1, 2017. The cards enable the marines to log their hours during the challenge and provides credibility to their achievements upon completion. The hike originated in 1908 with an executive order administered by President Theodore Roosevelt and has since then only been attempted and completed twice since its inception.