Marines

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U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa

Stuttgart, Germany

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(Left to right) Cpl. Joseph Thometz, Lance Cpl. Dustin Shane, Gunnery Sgt. Damian Rodriguez, and Cpl. Christopher Crowley, all Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14, answer questions from students at Lejasciems Secondary School in Lejasciems, Latvia, 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. 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)

(Left to right) Cpl. Joseph Thometz, Lance Cpl. Dustin Shane, Gunnery Sgt. Damian Rodriguez, and Cpl. Christopher Crowley, all Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14, answer questions from students at Lejasciems Secondary School in Lejasciems, Latvia, 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. 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

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, and commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Africa, addresses Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14, as well as Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response during a command visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 16, 2014. BSRF-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. The Marines and sailors of SPMAGTF-Crisis Response provide crisis response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, and commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Africa, addresses Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14, as well as Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response during a command visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 16, 2014. BSRF-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. The Marines and sailors of SPMAGTF-Crisis Response provide crisis response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, and commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Africa, addresses Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14, as well as Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response during a command visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 16, 2014. BSRF-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. The Marines and sailors of SPMAGTF-Crisis Response provide crisis response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, and commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Africa, addresses Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14, as well as Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response during a command visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 16, 2014. BSRF-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. The Marines and sailors of SPMAGTF-Crisis Response provide crisis response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, and commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Africa, eats lunch with Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14, as well as Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response during a command visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 16, 2014. BSRF-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. The Marines and sailors of SPMAGTF-Crisis Response provide crisis response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, and commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Africa, eats lunch with Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14, as well as Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response during a command visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 16, 2014. BSRF-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. The Marines and sailors of SPMAGTF-Crisis Response provide crisis response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

U.S. Marines part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response land at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 13, 2014. The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a rapid response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

U.S. Marines part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response land at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 13, 2014. The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a rapid response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

U.S. Marines part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response land at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 13, 2014. The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a rapid response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

U.S. Marines part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response land at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 13, 2014. The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a rapid response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

U.S. Marines part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response land at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 13, 2014. The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a rapid response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

U.S. Marines part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response land at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 13, 2014. The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a rapid response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

U.S. Marines part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response land at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 13, 2014. The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a rapid response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

U.S. Marines part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response land at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 13, 2014. The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a rapid response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

U.S. Marines part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response land at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 13, 2014. The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a rapid response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

U.S. Marines part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force for Crisis Response land at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, April 13, 2014. The Marines and sailors of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response provide a rapid response capability in support of U.S. and partner-nation security interests and participate in training engagements with regional partners within their area of responsibility.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Barajas

Lance Cpl. Junior Jack, machinegunner, Weapon’s Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, sights in on a Latvian G36 rifle at a weapon’s display during Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, 7 April, 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 as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and to continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division, BSRF, Combat Camera/Released)

Lance Cpl. Junior Jack, machinegunner, Weapon’s Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, sights in on a Latvian G36 rifle at a weapon’s display during Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, 7 April, 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 as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and to continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division, BSRF, Combat Camera/Released)

Photo by SSgt Iskra

Marines from Weapon’s Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines examine a Latvian 84mm Carl-Gustaf anti-tank recoilless rifle at weapon’s display during Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, 7 April, 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 as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and to continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division, BSRF, Combat Camera/Released)

Marines from Weapon’s Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines examine a Latvian 84mm Carl-Gustaf anti-tank recoilless rifle at weapon’s display during Summer Shield aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, 7 April, 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 as well as increase partner capacity, promote regional stability and to continue to develop Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and U.S. interoperability. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Tanner M. Iskra, 2nd Marine Division, BSRF, Combat Camera/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt Iskra

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 fire a Javelin missile during a live-fire exercise involving U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members during Exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), John Hoeven (R-ND) and John Barrasso (R-WY) visited the service members during the exercise to get a first-hand look at the international training taking place between the nations. 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)

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 fire a Javelin missile during a live-fire exercise involving U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members during Exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), John Hoeven (R-ND) and John Barrasso (R-WY) visited the service members during the exercise to get a first-hand look at the international training taking place between the nations. 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 Lance Cpl. Brennan Pedraza, a machine gunner with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2, engages a target downrange with a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a Latvian Humvee during a live-fire exercise involving U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members during Exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), John Hoeven (R-ND) and John Barrasso (R-WY) visited the service members during the exercise to get a first-hand look at the international training taking place between the nations. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning 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 Lance Cpl. Brennan Pedraza, a machine gunner with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2, engages a target downrange with a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a Latvian Humvee during a live-fire exercise involving U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members during Exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), John Hoeven (R-ND) and John Barrasso (R-WY) visited the service members during the exercise to get a first-hand look at the international training taking place between the nations. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning 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

(Left to right) U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), John Hoeven (R-ND) and John McCain (R-AZ) address U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members during their visit to exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 are participating in Summer Shield in Latvia. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning 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)

(Left to right) U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), John Hoeven (R-ND) and John McCain (R-AZ) address U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members during their visit to exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 are participating in Summer Shield in Latvia. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning 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. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and John Barrasso (R-WY), and Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, the battalion commander of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and Black Sea rotational Force 14.2, wait as Marines prepare to fire a Javelin missile during a live-fire exercise involving U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning 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. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and John Barrasso (R-WY), and Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, the battalion commander of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and Black Sea rotational Force 14.2, wait as Marines prepare to fire a Javelin missile during a live-fire exercise involving U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. This is the 11th iteration of the Summer Shield exercise, a joint staff planning 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

(Right to left) Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, the battalion commander of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2, speaks with Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), John McCain (R-AZ), and John Hoeven (R-ND) during a live-fire exercise involving U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members during exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 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)

(Right to left) Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, the battalion commander of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2, speaks with Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), John McCain (R-AZ), and John Hoeven (R-ND) during a live-fire exercise involving U.S., Latvian and Estonian service members during exercise Summer Shield at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 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 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2, points downrange at a target while speaking with Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and John Barrasso (R-WY), and Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, exercise director of Summer Shield, at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 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 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2, points downrange at a target while speaking with Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and John Barrasso (R-WY), and Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, exercise director of Summer Shield, at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 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

(Left to right) U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), John Hoeven (R-ND), John McCain (R-AZ), Latvian Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Raimonds Graube, and Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, the exercise director of exercise Summer Shield, discuss the interoperability between U.S. and Latvian service members during Summer Shield during their visit to a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. United States Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 are participating in Summer Shield in Latvia. 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)

(Left to right) U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), John Hoeven (R-ND), John McCain (R-AZ), Latvian Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Raimonds Graube, and Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, the exercise director of exercise Summer Shield, discuss the interoperability between U.S. and Latvian service members during Summer Shield during their visit to a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. United States Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 are participating in Summer Shield in Latvia. 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

United States Senator John McCain (R-AZ) speaks with Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, the exercise director for Exercise Summer Shield about a live-fire exercise which involved U.S., Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian service members at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 are participating in Summer Shield in Latvia. 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)

United States Senator John McCain (R-AZ) speaks with Latvian Lt. Col. Gunars Kaulins, the exercise director for Exercise Summer Shield about a live-fire exercise which involved U.S., Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian service members at a range near Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 15, 2014. U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division assigned to Black Sea Rotational Force 14.2 are participating in Summer Shield in Latvia. 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

Marine Corps Forces Europe & Africa