CARIBBEAN SEA -- Stepping off the aircraft into the thick Caribbean heat, U.S. Marines joined Dutch Marines from the 32nd Raiding Squadron Aruba, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and French soldiers from the 33e Régiment D'Infanterie de Marine for Tres Kolos 26, two weeks of demanding events set across Martinique’s rugged volcanic terrain. Built to strengthen interoperability and deepen regional partnerships, the exercise showcased the shared commitment of all three nations. Over the course of the competition, participants executed military skills exchanges, tactical events, and a series of physically demanding challenges. “Our capabilities grow through tough training hand-in-hand with our allies,” said 1st Lt. Josh Niblo, India Company platoon commander. “Every nation brings its own strengths and perspective, which is exactly why this event worked.” Week One: Strength, Endurance and Adaptation The first week pushed participants through marksmanship challenges, tactical land movements, and endurance events. Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers tackled swim tests, water obstacles, small boat navigation, jungle races, and boat portages. “You can feel the energy here; everyone wants to push harder than they did yesterday,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Longo, India Company platoon sergeant. “It doesn’t matter what flag is on your shoulder. Out here, the common language is effort. We sharpen each other like iron sharpens iron.” India Company Marines also had to adapt to Martinique’s unique environment of black sand beaches, humid rainforest pockets, and sharp volcanic ridgelines, a stark contrast to the swamp like coastal terrain of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. “The environment hits you fast—the heat, the climbing, the humidity,” Longo said. “We’ve been training in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean for nearly ten months now, and we’ve learned to trust our team and keep pushing.” Midway through the exercise, competitors took on the Tres Kolos Triathlon, which included a coastal bike/run, a 250-meter open-water swim-to-rescue event, a kayak navigation course, and a water obstacle course. The culminating event, Overlord, tested each team’s endurance, navigation skills, and cohesion. Competitors inserted onto Anse L’Ane Beach via French small boat, then carried their boats more than a kilometer through a coastal town before launching for a 6-kilometer open-water crossing. After navigating waves and drift to the far shore, teams completed a final 1.8-kilometer portage to Camp Desaix. The event demanded rapid decision making, communication, and small unit coordination across multiple boats and complex movements, reinforcing the importance of teamwork under pressure. Week Two: Tri-National Team Building The second week shifted toward teambuilding and combined training. Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors completed individual and team obstacle courses, exchanged military skills, shared meals, and tackled physically demanding events together. One of the most anticipated challenges was the ascent of Mount Pelée, a steep volcanic peak rising sharply above the coastline. American, French, and Dutch forces climbed together, building camaraderie through the shared hardship of a 4,583-foot ascent. “Watching these teams grit it out up that mountain was incredible,” Niblo said. “Terrain like this forces you to think, adapt, and stay composed; that resilience is exactly what we need in real operations.” Tres Kolos 26 served as a proving ground for readiness. By training together, allied forces strengthened their ability to respond to crises and operate effectively in complex environments. “The relationships built here matter just as much as the skills,” Niblo said. “When we face real threats, trust between partners is a force multiplier. We’re not just competing—we’re sharpening ourselves for whatever comes next.” Readiness Strengthened, Partnerships Deepened Tres Kolos 26 is one of many events the 22nd MEU (SOC) conducted during its deployment to the Caribbean in support of U.S. Southern Command mission objectives and presidential priorities to strengthen regional security, disrupt illicit trafficking, and defend the homeland. Over the past nine months, the 22nd MEU (SOC) expanded its operational reach across a region critical to homeland defense, opening new areas of logistical throughput and maintaining a persistent presence. From ship-to-shore operations and first-person view drone integration to multilateral training with partners such as Trinidad and Tobago and Ecuador, the 22nd MEU (SOC) consistently enhanced interoperability and readiness. As the 22nd MEU (SOC) continues its mission, the experience gained during Tres Kolos 26 ensures it remains a capable, ready, and lethal force, postured to respond to any regional threat as one of the nation’s premier crisis response forces.