U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa

Stuttgart, Germany

Who we are

The US Marine Corps continues to play a pivotal role in the nation’s defense. In addition to the Marine Corps’ historical connection to the Pacific, and recent support to post-9/11 contingency operations throughout Central Asia, the Marine Corps has a long standing storied relationship with Europe and Africa. The famous stand at Belleau Wood outside Paris in 1918, the Cold War-era Northern Flank mission in Norway, and the even deeper historical connection to Northern Africa, uniquely connect Marines to both continents. The current challenging security environment, with a revanchist Russia and always-dynamic Africa, requires a flexible amphibious option. The US Marine Corps, working with sister US services and NATO partners, is in a unique position to provide this leadership and depth.

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Nordic Response 24

U.S. Marine Corps Major General Robert B. Sofge Jr., commander U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, speaks about the significance of Nordic...

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Battle of Belleau Wood

U.S. Marines and French service members commemorate the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and...

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AMFS/NILS-A 2024

U.S. Naval Forces Africa, U.S. Marine Forces Africa, and the Ghanaian Navy tri-chair the African Maritime Forces Summit / Naval Infantry Leaders...

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AMFS/NILS-A 24 Opening Day

U.S. Naval Forces Africa, U.S. Marine Forces Africa, and the Ghanaian Navy tri-chair the African Maritime Forces Summit / Naval Infantry Leaders...

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Arctic Readiness Unleashed

U.S. Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2d Marine Logistics Group, along with personnel from the Norwegian Armed...

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Fuel Transfer System

U.S. Marines and sailors test out the Distributed Littoral Operational Fuel Transfer System (DLOFTS) during Nordic Response 24 in Hammarnesodden,...

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Guardians of the High North: A Symphony of Strength in Nordic Response

Deep within the Arctic Circle, Nordic Response ignites a symphony of strength. Here, 14 nations join as one, not just honing skills, but forging an...

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Arctic Explosive Ordnance Disposal: Safeguarding the Frigid Frontier

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Kyle Perschka, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2d...

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Extreme Cold Weather Training during Nordic Response 24

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment conduct extreme cold weather training in preparation for Nordic Response 24 in Setermoen, Norway,...

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Nordic Response 24 Polar Plunge

U.S. Marines participating in exercise Nordic Response 24 conduct the Polar Plunge as a part of extreme-cold weather training in Setermoen, Norway,...

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From Operations Strong Express to Nordic Response 24: The Dynamic Evolution of U.S. Marines in Norway

Embark on a historical journey through the U.S. Marines' presence in Norway, tracing the evolution of Operations Strong Express to its culmination in...

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Introduction to Nordic Response 24

U.S. Marine Corps Major General Robert B. Sofge Jr., commander U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, speaks about the significance of Nordic...

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Short Stop 24

Five U.S. Marines died in a helicopter accident while conducting retrograde operations during Operation Strong Express on Sept. 23, 1972, in Grytoya,...

26th MEU(SOC) Bravo Command Element and Italian San Marco Brigade Marines Strengthen Interoperability in the High North

Elements of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (Special Operations Capable) Bravo Command Element are training alongside Norwegian Soldiers, from Brigade North, and Italian Marines, from San Marco Brigade, during a Norwegian bilateral training exercise...

Bataan ARG and 26th MEU(SOC) Cross-Decks At Sea to Prepare for Distributed Operations

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) showcased their relevance and operational flexibility as the Joint Staff Immediate Response Force by executing a successful cross deck of personnel and equipment on July 25, 2023. Before departing the East Coast for their scheduled deployment, personnel and equipment were strategically embarked and spread across the Bataan ARG to support operations within the U.S. 6th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet areas of operations...

U.S. Marines Embark HMS Albion for Exercise BALTOPS 23

U.S. Marines from Golf Company embarked aboard the British Royal Navy’s amphibious assault ship HMS Albion (L14) as part of exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in Tallinn, Estonia, on June 1 to work alongside Royal Marines throughout the two-week exercise. During their first week aboard HMS Albion, the U.S. Marines began a series of familiarization classes and drills under the guidance of X-Ray Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines.

U.S. Marines deploy for months-long training during Marine Rotational Force-Europe

U.S. Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF), Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, have deployed to Europe as part of Marine Rotational Force-Europe. From January to September 2023, more than 1,300 Marines from II MEF and subordinate units are set to deploy throughout the European theater, training in more than 15 countries and supporting a variety of joint, multinational exercises.