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U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa

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Master Gunnery Sgt. Bradley Everett, the operations chief for Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 14, is "arrested" during a jail and bail fundraiser here to support the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, March 12, 2014. Marines and sailors donated money to have a coworker arrested and temporarily “jailed.” The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides interest-free loans and other financial services to active duty and retired Navy and Marine Corps personnel and families.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Bradley Everett, the operations chief for Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 14, is "arrested" during a jail and bail fundraiser here to support the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, March 12, 2014. Marines and sailors donated money to have a coworker arrested and temporarily “jailed.” The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides interest-free loans and other financial services to active duty and retired Navy and Marine Corps personnel and families.

Photo by 1st Lt. James Stenger

Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, fire an 81mm high explosive round during Summer Shield, April 16, 2014, Camp Adazi, Latvia. The Marines in the live fire were a fire-support team element and worked with the Latvian Land Forces in order to synchronize an integrated attack that would use fire-support elements from three different countries. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, fire an 81mm high explosive round during Summer Shield, April 16, 2014, Camp Adazi, Latvia. The Marines in the live fire were a fire-support team element and worked with the Latvian Land Forces in order to synchronize an integrated attack that would use fire-support elements from three different countries. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra

A Latvian Bandwagn 206, fires an 81mm high explosive round out of a mortar tube mounted on the rear of the vehicles during Summer Shield, April 16, 2014, Camp Adazi, Latvia. Latvia’s 1st Fire Support Battalion were part of fire-support team element that included artillery and mortars from Estonia Defense Forces and Marines assigned to the Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

A Latvian Bandwagn 206, fires an 81mm high explosive round out of a mortar tube mounted on the rear of the vehicles during Summer Shield, April 16, 2014, Camp Adazi, Latvia. Latvia’s 1st Fire Support Battalion were part of fire-support team element that included artillery and mortars from Estonia Defense Forces and Marines assigned to the Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra

An Estonian forward operator, 1st Artillery Battalion, Estonian Defense Forces, coordinates a fire mission with Estonian artillery during Summer Shield, April 16, 2014, Camp Adazi, Latvia. The 1st Estonian Artillery Battalion was part of a fire-support team element and worked with the Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 and Latvian Land Forces in order to synchronize an integrated attack that would use fire-support elements from three different countries. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

An Estonian forward operator, 1st Artillery Battalion, Estonian Defense Forces, coordinates a fire mission with Estonian artillery during Summer Shield, April 16, 2014, Camp Adazi, Latvia. The 1st Estonian Artillery Battalion was part of a fire-support team element and worked with the Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 and Latvian Land Forces in order to synchronize an integrated attack that would use fire-support elements from three different countries. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra

Lance Corporal Michael Carroll, mortarman, assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, pulls and 81mm high explosive round out of an ammo can during Summer Shield, April 16, 2014, Camp Adazi, Latvia. The Marines in the live fire were a fire-support team element and worked with the Latvian Land Forces in order to synchronize an integrated attack that would use fire-support elements from three different countries. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

Lance Corporal Michael Carroll, mortarman, assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, pulls and 81mm high explosive round out of an ammo can during Summer Shield, April 16, 2014, Camp Adazi, Latvia. The Marines in the live fire were a fire-support team element and worked with the Latvian Land Forces in order to synchronize an integrated attack that would use fire-support elements from three different countries. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra

(Right to Left) Sergeant Benjamin Craig, anti-armor missile-man assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, discusses a fire-support mission with 2ndLt. Kristaps Saka, infantry officer, Latvian Land Forces and Cpl. Keith Roy, anti-armor missile-man, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2. Latvia’s Anti-Armor Platoon and BSRF 14.2’s Combined Anti-Armor Team integrated forces in the fire support mission during Summer Shield. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

(Right to Left) Sergeant Benjamin Craig, anti-armor missile-man assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, discusses a fire-support mission with 2ndLt. Kristaps Saka, infantry officer, Latvian Land Forces and Cpl. Keith Roy, anti-armor missile-man, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2. Latvia’s Anti-Armor Platoon and BSRF 14.2’s Combined Anti-Armor Team integrated forces in the fire support mission during Summer Shield. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra

A Latvian High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle carries Marines assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, as they execute a live fire support mission with Latvian Land Forces during Summer Shield, April 16, 2014, Camp Adazi, Latvia. Latvia’s Anti-Armor Platoon and BSRF 14.2’s Combined Anti-Armor Team integrated forces in the fire support mission. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

A Latvian High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle carries Marines assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, as they execute a live fire support mission with Latvian Land Forces during Summer Shield, April 16, 2014, Camp Adazi, Latvia. Latvia’s Anti-Armor Platoon and BSRF 14.2’s Combined Anti-Armor Team integrated forces in the fire support mission. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint, staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera, BSRF-14/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Roddey Dowd of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, answers questions during a period of instruction on combat decision making in Constanta, Romania, April 17, 2014. Black Sea Rotational Force- 14 is a contingent of Marines and sailors in the Black Sea, Balkans and Caucasus regions that work with partner nations to maintain proven partnerships while building military capacity, promoting regional stability, and providing the capability for rapid crisis response throughout Eastern Europe as directed by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, U.S. European Command.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Roddey Dowd of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, answers questions during a period of instruction on combat decision making in Constanta, Romania, April 17, 2014. Black Sea Rotational Force- 14 is a contingent of Marines and sailors in the Black Sea, Balkans and Caucasus regions that work with partner nations to maintain proven partnerships while building military capacity, promoting regional stability, and providing the capability for rapid crisis response throughout Eastern Europe as directed by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, U.S. European Command.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

U.S. Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, provide a period of instruction on combat decision making in Constanta, Romania, April 17, 2014. Black Sea Rotational Force- 14 is a contingent of Marines and sailors in the Black Sea, Balkans and Caucasus regions that work with partner nations to maintain proven partnerships while building military capacity, promoting regional stability, and providing the capability for rapid crisis response throughout Eastern Europe as directed by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, U.S. European Command.

U.S. Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, provide a period of instruction on combat decision making in Constanta, Romania, April 17, 2014. Black Sea Rotational Force- 14 is a contingent of Marines and sailors in the Black Sea, Balkans and Caucasus regions that work with partner nations to maintain proven partnerships while building military capacity, promoting regional stability, and providing the capability for rapid crisis response throughout Eastern Europe as directed by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, U.S. European Command.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

U.S. Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, conduct a period of instruction on combat decision making in Constanta, Romania, April 17, 2014. Black Sea Rotational Force 14 is a contingent of Marines and sailors in the Black Sea, Balkans and Caucasus regions that work with partner nations to maintain proven partnerships while building military capacity, promoting regional stability, and providing the capability for rapid crisis response throughout Eastern Europe as directed by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, U.S. European Command.

U.S. Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, conduct a period of instruction on combat decision making in Constanta, Romania, April 17, 2014. Black Sea Rotational Force 14 is a contingent of Marines and sailors in the Black Sea, Balkans and Caucasus regions that work with partner nations to maintain proven partnerships while building military capacity, promoting regional stability, and providing the capability for rapid crisis response throughout Eastern Europe as directed by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, U.S. European Command.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, fire a tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided missile during a joint live-fire exercise with Latvians and Estonians at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, fire a tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided missile during a joint live-fire exercise with Latvians and Estonians at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, pose for a picture with Latvian soldiers while training together during exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 14, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and continues to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, pose for a picture with Latvian soldiers while training together during exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 14, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and continues to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

A Latvian soldier fires blank rounds into an impact area while working with Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, during exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 14, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and continues to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

A Latvian soldier fires blank rounds into an impact area while working with Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, during exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 14, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and combined-arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and continues to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, the exercise director of Summer Shield, U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, the battalion commander of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and Estonian Lt. Col. Kaarel Maesalu, the battalion commander of the Estonian Defense Forces Artillery Battalion, march to their positions in front of the parade for the closing ceremony of exercise Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, the exercise director of Summer Shield, U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, the battalion commander of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and Estonian Lt. Col. Kaarel Maesalu, the battalion commander of the Estonian Defense Forces Artillery Battalion, march to their positions in front of the parade for the closing ceremony of exercise Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, the battalion commander of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, addresses U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members during the closing ceremony for exercise Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, the battalion commander of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, addresses U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members during the closing ceremony for exercise Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, the exercise director for exercise Summer Shield, presents a gift to U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. John Raisch, awarding him as the best Marine of the exercise during Summer Shield’s closing ceremony aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, the exercise director for exercise Summer Shield, presents a gift to U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. John Raisch, awarding him as the best Marine of the exercise during Summer Shield’s closing ceremony aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, battalion commander of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, shakes hands with Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, the exercise director of Summer Shield, during the closing ceremony for Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, battalion commander of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, shakes hands with Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, the exercise director of Summer Shield, during the closing ceremony for Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, battalion commander of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, presents a gift to Estonian Lt. Col. Kaarel Maesalu, the battalion commander of the Estonian Defense Forces Artillery Battalion, during the closing ceremony for exercise Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, battalion commander of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, presents a gift to Estonian Lt. Col. Kaarel Maesalu, the battalion commander of the Estonian Defense Forces Artillery Battalion, during the closing ceremony for exercise Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 16, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and live-fire maneuver event designed to enhance the NATO force’s capacity and capability to integrate combined arms and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level. It also increases partner capacity, promotes regional stability, and enhances Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, and U.S. interoperability as NATO allies. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

Gunnery Sgt. Damian Rodriguez, the communications chief with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14, presents a gift to Ineta Stavavena, the director of the Lejasciems Secondary School in Lejasciems, after talking to students from the school and answering their questions April 9, 2014. The Marines were invited to the school during Summer Shield to speak with children at the school about their experiences in the military, and to answer any other questions they had as well. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and combined arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability, and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Gunnery Sgt. Damian Rodriguez, the communications chief with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14, presents a gift to Ineta Stavavena, the director of the Lejasciems Secondary School in Lejasciems, after talking to students from the school and answering their questions April 9, 2014. The Marines were invited to the school during Summer Shield to speak with children at the school about their experiences in the military, and to answer any other questions they had as well. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and combined arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability, and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

United States Marines, Latvian soldiers and an Estonian service member take questions from a class at Lejasciems Secondary School in Lejasciems, Latvia, April 9, 2014. The service members were invited to the school during Summer Shield to speak with children at the school about their experiences in the military, and to answer any other questions they had. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and combined arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability, and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

United States Marines, Latvian soldiers and an Estonian service member take questions from a class at Lejasciems Secondary School in Lejasciems, Latvia, April 9, 2014. The service members were invited to the school during Summer Shield to speak with children at the school about their experiences in the military, and to answer any other questions they had. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning and combined arms live fire maneuver event designed to enhance the Latvian Land Force’s capacity and capability to integrate fires and maneuver at the battalion and brigade level as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability, and continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting, BSRF PAO/ Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

Marine Corps Forces Europe & Africa