II MEF News

II MEF Forges Counter-Swarm Tactics to Shape Future Operations

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force, alongside U.S. naval forces, and partners from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), tested new defenses against swarming drones during the Technology Operational Experimentation Event (TOEE) “Wave Breaker”, from Jan. 26, 2026, to Feb. 6, 2026.

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U.S. Marine Corps tactical vehicles are staged in preparation for exercise Cold Response 26 in Tromsdalen, Norway, Jan. 22, 2026. The Marine Corps Pre-positioning Program-Norway, managed by Blount Island Command, enables the rapid outfitting of a deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force by storing ready-to-use equipment in climate-controlled caves. Exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Franco Lewis) - U.S. Marine Corps tactical vehicles are staged in preparation for exercise Cold Response 26 in Tromsdalen, Norway, Jan. 22, 2026. The Marine Corps Pre-positioning Program-Norway, managed by Blount Island Command, enables the rapid outfitting of a deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force by storing ready-to-use equipment in climate-controlled caves. Exercise Cold Response 26 is a Norwegian-led winter military exercise designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO Allies in challenging arctic conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Franco Lewis)

CORE 26 | Beneath Norway's Mountains, a Nearly Four Decade Alliance Stands Ready

Above the Arctic Circle, winter dominates the landscape. Snow blankets the mountains and subzero winds cut across frozen valleys. For most people, this terrain can feel remote and inhospitable. However, for U.S. Marines alongside NATO Allies and partners, it is a proving ground. In the Arctic, the environment can be as lethal as any adversary. This reality makes joint readiness, training, and the ability to rapidly mobilize equipment and personnel to crisis not optional, but essential to operational success in the event of armed conflict.

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Leonardo Alves, a machinist with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Combat Readiness Regiment, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, holds washers made with a water jet cutter for amphibious combat vehicles at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 12, 2026. The part, a mandatory replacement item for the vehicle's suspension system, was reverse engineered and reproduced by 2nd Maintenance Battalion to bring off-line ACV's back in the fight. Alves is a native of Brazil. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Leonardo Alves, a machinist with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Combat Readiness Regiment, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, holds washers made with a water jet cutter for amphibious combat vehicles at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 12, 2026. The part, a mandatory replacement item for the vehicle's suspension system, was reverse engineered and reproduced by 2nd Maintenance Battalion to bring off-line ACV's back in the fight. Alves is a native of Brazil. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo)

2nd Maintenance Battalion Brings ACVs Back to Life with One Simple, Yet Critical Component

When a shortage of critical single-use consumable suspension washers resulted in multiple Amphibious Combat Vehicles being dead-lined, a state where equipment is taken out of service for mechanical or safety reasons, U.S. Marines with the Fabrication Platoon, 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, stepped in, turning a potentially year-long delay into a one-hour fix, showcasing the immense value of advanced manufacturing at the fleet level.

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IWOARG and 22nd MEU(SOC) Announces Death of Marine

The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) announce today the death of a Marine who was lost at sea, while conducting operations in the Caribbean.

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Steven Salcedo Jr., an infantry rifleman and a small unmanned aircraft system operator with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, participates in a simulated squad attack on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 22, 2026. The live fire drone attack exercise was held to demonstrate the integration of the NEROS Archer, a newly introduced first-person view drone employed by the Department of War, with infantry Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabelle Hutmacher) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Steven Salcedo Jr., an infantry rifleman and a small unmanned aircraft system operator with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, participates in a simulated squad attack on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 22, 2026. The live fire drone attack exercise was held to demonstrate the integration of the NEROS Archer, a newly introduced first-person view drone employed by the Department of War, with infantry Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabelle Hutmacher)

2nd Marine Division Unit Integrates First Precise Strike System Drones in Squad Attacks

Recently, the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division took the steps to advance the Marine Corps into a new territory, conducting a squad attack using a NEROS Archer strike drone to surveil and attack ahead of the squad during unit training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on Jan. 23, 2026.

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A U.S. Sailor assigned to the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready group signals a landing craft, air cushion onto a beach landing zone in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Nov. 29, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo) - A U.S. Sailor assigned to the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready group signals a landing craft, air cushion onto a beach landing zone in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Nov. 29, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

22nd MEU(SOC) Enhances Readiness with Amphibious and MAGTF Operations in Puerto Rico

Since late August 2025, U.S. Marines and Sailors from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) embarked on the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, have been conducting amphibious training, infantry sustainment exercises, and flight operations in southern and eastern Puerto Rico.

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Cave Draw Preps Marines for Cold Response in Norway - U.S. Marines prepare prepositioned motor transport equipment at a Marine Corps Prepositioning Program–Norway cave site Jan. 22, 2026, in Norway, ahead of convoy operations supporting exercise Cold Response 26. The preparation supports safe, coordinated movement and timely employment of equipment issued to II Marine Expeditionary Force Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicholas Martinez)

Cave Draw Preps Marines for Cold Response in Norway

A Blount Island Command technical assistance and advisory team issued thousands of items to 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force during a two-week cave draw in late January, marking a key step in unit preparations for exercise Cold Response 26.

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2nd Marine Division Unit Integrates First Precise Strike System Drones in Squad Attacks

Recently, the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division took the steps to advance the Marine Corps into a new territory, conducting a squad attack using a NEROS Archer strike drone to surveil and attack ahead of the squad during unit training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on Jan. 23, 2026.

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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Henry David Volpe, an automotive maintenance technician with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Combat Readiness Regiment, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo with the HANX drone he designed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 23, 2026. The HANX is the Marine Corps' first National Defense Authorizing Act-compliant, 3D-printed drone, providing a secure and adaptable aerial platform for the modern warfighter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alfonso Livrieri) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Henry David Volpe, an automotive maintenance technician with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Combat Readiness Regiment, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo with the HANX drone he designed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 23, 2026. The HANX is the Marine Corps' first National Defense Authorizing Act-compliant, 3D-printed drone, providing a secure and adaptable aerial platform for the modern warfighter. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alfonso Livrieri)

2nd Marine Logistics Group develops first Marine Corps NDAA Compliant 3D printed Drone

Amidst the Department of War’s “Drone Dominance” intent to acquire 300,000 one-way attack drones by calendar year 2028, 2nd Marine Logistics Group has developed the Marine Corps’ first National Defense Authorizing Act-compliant 3D printed drone. The drone, titled HANX, is a holistically adaptable approved platform that can be tailored to the needs of the warfighter. HANX marks a large leap from previous Marine Corps’ 3D printed drone capabilities, such as “nibbler” in 2017, which was not subject to the same compliance requirements that exist today to meet NDAA requirements. HANX being fully NDAA compliant means it is resilient to backdoor programs from our adversaries, making it a device that can be used by any Marine for their mission. U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Henry David Volpe is behind the creation of the 3D printed drone platform, helping to bring the Marine Corps into the next era of 3D print capabilities.

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U.S. Navy Lt. Antonia De Jesus, a nurse with 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, practices drawing blood during a Tier IV Tactical Casualty Combat Care course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 29, 2025. 2nd MLG became the first-ever Marine Corps command to host a Tier IV TCCC course and is now hosting its second iteration. The course trains select military service members to become proficient combat paramedics capable of providing advanced casualty care at the point of injury on the battlefield and in austere environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella Ramos) - U.S. Navy Lt. Antonia De Jesus, a nurse with 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, practices drawing blood during a Tier IV Tactical Casualty Combat Care course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 29, 2025. 2nd MLG became the first-ever Marine Corps command to host a Tier IV TCCC course and is now hosting its second iteration. The course trains select military service members to become proficient combat paramedics capable of providing advanced casualty care at the point of injury on the battlefield and in austere environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella Ramos)

Forging Confidence Under Fire: How 2nd Medical Battalion Tier IV Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course is Redefining Battlefield Medicine

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-- At the Battle Skills Training School on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, a new generation of U.S. Navy medical officers and corpsmen are learning how to save lives where it matters most, on the battlefield. 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, hosted the second iteration of a Tier IV Tactical Combat Casualty Care course from Sept. 29 to Oct. 10, 2025.

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