The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) participates in a photo exercise with the Royal Moroccan Navy's Floreal-class Frigate Mohammad V in the Atlantic Ocean, Sep. 15, 2020. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on its inaugural deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of responsibility in support of maritime missions and special operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Conner Foy) - The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) participates in a training exercise with the Royal Moroccan Navy's Floreal-class Frigate Mohammed V in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 15, 2020. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on its inaugural deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of responsibility in support of maritime missions and special operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Conner Foy)

A U.S. Marine with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 20.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, conducts a brass check during a Combat Marksmanship Program (CMP) live-fire range in Setermoen, Norway, April 14, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Nathaniel Q. Hamilton) - A U.S. Marine with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 20.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, conducts a brass check during a Combat Marksmanship Program (CMP) live-fire range in Setermoen, Norway, April 14, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Nathaniel Q. Hamilton)

Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade prepare to be transported on Marine MV-22 Ospreys in Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Aug. 10, 2020, during Exercise Saber Junction. The Marines flew at least three Ospreys around 1,200 miles from Moron in Spain to Grafenwoehr for the exercise.IMMANUEL JOHNSON/STARS AND STRIPES - Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade prepare to be transported on Marine MV-22 Ospreys in Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Aug. 10, 2020, during Exercise Saber Junction. The Marines flew at least three Ospreys around 1,200 miles from Moron in Spain to Grafenwoehr for the exercise. IMMANUEL JOHNSON/STARS AND STRIPES

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., marking the end of a seven-month deployment to the Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet with the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) .While forward deployed aboard the ships of the USS Bataan ARG, the 26th MEU served as a crisis-response force for combatant commanders in the Europe, Africa and Central commands. The 26th MEU supported operations and engagements, conducted theater security cooperation activities with bilateral partners, and executed sustainment training to ensure the force was postured and prepared to respond to crises and contingencies.“As a ‘certain force in an uncertain world’ the 26th MEU was flexible, resilient and adaptable while forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and 6th Fleet areas of operation,” said Col. Trevor Hall, commanding officer of the 26th MEU. “This deployment presented unique challenges, but the Navy-Marine Corps team prevailed and incessantly provided our fleet commanders with a responsive, sea-based Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) – even during the global novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.”Having deployed in December 2019, the 26th MEU was one of the few Marine Corps units forward deployed during the COVID-19 epidemic. As seaports and airports around the globe closed, the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with embarked 26th MEU adapted and developed creative ways to maintain its readiness. While operating in the Arabian Gulf, the MAGTF executed non-live fire and live-fire training in remote locations in the United Arab Emirates and on uninhabited Saudi Arabian islands. This training preserved the MEU’s readiness – while also reducing COVID-19 exposure, which allowed the ARGMEU to remain a COVID-free force for the duration of its seven-month deployment. - The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., marking the end of a seven-month deployment to the Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet with the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) . , unconventional and hybrid warfare.

U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 20.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, arrive at Móron Air Base, Spain on June 9, 2020. SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.2 is deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Africa and promote regional stability by conducting military-to-military training exercises throughout Europe and Africa. SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.2 continues to work closely with the relevant medical agencies and military organizations to minimize risk of COVID-19 exposure. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tawanya Norwood) - U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 20.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, arrive at Móron Air Base, Spain on June 9, 2020. SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.2 is deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Africa and promote regional stability by conducting military-to-military training exercises throughout Europe and Africa. SPMAGTF-CR-AF 20.2 continues to work closely with the relevant medical agencies and military organizations to minimize risk of COVID-19 exposure. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tawanya Norwood)

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Europe, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, fire their weapons during a battle sight zero range in Setermoen, Norway, June 4, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the Marines implemented social distancing procedures into their training and are taking precautions to ensure they do not expose themselves to anyone who may be infected. MRF-E conducts various exercises including arctic cold-weather and mountain-warfare training, as well as military-to-military engagements throughout Europe that enhance cooperation among partners and allies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Abrey Liggins) - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Europe, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, fire their weapons during a battle sight zero range in Setermoen, Norway, June 4, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the Marines implemented social distancing procedures into their training and are taking precautions to ensure they do not expose themselves to anyone who may be infected. MRF-E conducts various exercises including arctic cold-weather and mountain-warfare training, as well as military-to-military engagements throughout Europe that enhance cooperation among partners and allies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Abrey Liggins)

Marines and Sailors assigned to Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embark from the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), at sea, on MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, for a simulated night raid, Feb. 09, 2013. The 26th MEU is conducting its Composite Training Unit Exercise, the final phase of a six-month pre-deployment training program. The 26th MEU operates continuously across the globe, providing the president and unified combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, sea-based quick reaction force. The MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle N. Runnels) - Marines and Sailors assigned to Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embark from the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), at sea, on MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, for a simulated night raid, Feb. 09, 2013. The 26th MEU is conducting its Composite Training Unit Exercise, the final phase of a six-month pre-deployment training program. The 26th MEU operates continuously across the globe, providing the president and unified combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, sea-based quick reaction force. The MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle N. Runnels)

Marines with the Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), sail combat rubber reconnaissance craft, April 23, 2020. Bataan is the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and, with embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Zachary Anderson) - Marines with the Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), sail combat rubber reconnaissance craft,in the Arabian Gulf, April 23, 2020. Bataan is the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and, with embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Zachary Anderson)