Stories

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...

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A U.S. Marine assigned to the San Antonio class amphibious transport docking ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) guides a light armored vehicle belonging to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) onto an LCAC on the Atlantic Ocean, July 25, 2023. The USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26th MEU(SOC) under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. - A U.S. Marine assigned to the San Antonio class amphibious transport docking ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) guides a light armored vehicle belonging to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) onto an LCAC on the Atlantic Ocean, July 25, 2023. The USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26th MEU(SOC) under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

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...

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Marines learn basic coxswain skills during excercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in the Baltic Sea. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jacob Fretto, a platoon commander with Golf Company, 2d Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, learns basic coxswain skills during exercise Baltic Operations 2023 (BALTOPS 23) in the Baltic Sea, June 8, 2023. BALTOPS 23 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic region. The exercise led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen the combined response capability critical to preserving the freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy)

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.

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U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, conduct a 5-kilometer hike during Marine Rotational Force- Europe 23.1 in Setermoen, Norway, Jan. 29, 2023. MRF-E 23.1 focuses on regional engagements throughout Europe by conducting various exercises, mountain-warfare training, and military-to-military engagements, which enhances the overall interoperability of the U.S. Marine Corps with allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christian M. Garcia) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, conduct a 5-kilometer hike during Marine Rotational Force- Europe 23.1 in Setermoen, Norway, Jan. 29, 2023. MRF-E 23.1 focuses on regional engagements throughout Europe by conducting various exercises, mountain-warfare training, and military-to-military engagements, which enhances the overall interoperability of the U.S. Marine Corps with allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christian M. Garcia)

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.

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Lt. Col. Romeo P. Cubas, branch head of Africa reginal plans, facilitates the Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium- Africa (NILS-A) virtual conference with Maj. Gen. Tracy W. King and other maritime planners. - Lt. Col. Romeo P. Cubas, branch head of Africa reginal plans, facilitates the Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium- Africa (NILS-A) virtual conference with Maj. Gen. Tracy W. King and other maritime planners at U.S. Army Garrison Panzer Kaserne, near Stuttgart, Germany, July 15, 2021.

U.S. Marines, European, African Senior Military Leaders Attend Inaugural Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa

U.S. Marine, European and African Naval infantry senior leaders met today through a video conference call to discuss collaborative opportunities. During the meeting, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa commander, Maj. Gen. Tracy W. King, and Senegalese Naval Chief of Staff, Rear Adm. Oumar Wade, hosted multiple virtual planning discussions to organize future exercises and endeavors between these nations.

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Georgian Independence Day - U.S. Marines and Army Soldiers stand at attention during a Georgian Independence Day ceremony at Freedom Square in Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 26, 2021. On this day, Georgia celebrates the adoption of the Act of Independence, which established the Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918. This is also the country’s 30th year as a free and independent nation since its separation from the former Soviet Union. Marines from the 13th rotation of the Georgia Deployment Program-Resolute Support Mission, Georgia Training Team, and Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Division were the only foreign servicemembers invited to participate together with the troops of the Georgian Defence Forces during the celebration. These Marines represent the final GDP rotation to Georgia before the mission is sunset in the fall of this year due to the decision for U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan. For the past 17 years, U.S. Marines and Georgian troops have trained and deployed together, even fighting side-by-side, in support of various missions in the Middle East. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kirstin Spanu)

U.S. Marines, Army Join Georgian partners in Independence Day Ceremony

Georgian Defence Forces invited U.S. Marines and Soldiers to participate alongside them in the country’s Independence Day celebration at Freedom Square on May 26, 2021.

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U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force Europe 21.1 (MRF-E), Marine Forces Europe and Africa, fire down range during a company live-fire attack as part of Exercise Arctic Littoral Strike in Blåtind, Norway, March 30, 2021 - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force Europe 21.1 (MRF-E), Marine Forces Europe and Africa, fire down range during a company live-fire attack as part of Exercise Arctic Littoral Strike in Blåtind, Norway, March 30, 2021. Exercise Arctic Littoral Strike improved MRF-E’s ability to confront the challenges of anti-access, area denial capabilities posed by a notional peer adversary in a contested littoral environment. MRF-E demonstrated the ability to support joint fleet operations by providing over watch to a Norwegian submarine and destroying a notional adversary integrated air defense system. MRF-E focuses on regional engagements throughout Europe by conducting various exercises, arctic cold-weather and mountain warfare training, and military-to-military engagements, which enhance overall interoperability of the U.S. Marine Corps with allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick King)

Arctic Littoral Strike: Marines, Norwegian Military Conduct Exercise in Northern Norway

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 21.1 (MRF-E) enhanced their warfighting ability above the Arctic Circle during exercise Arctic Littoral Strike in Northern Norway from March 11-31, 2021.

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U.S. Marines Complete Norway Deployment for Arctic Warfare Training - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 21.1, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, hike through snow during a cold weather live-fire training event in preparation for Exercise Reindeer II in Setermoen, Norway, Nov. 20, 2020. Reindeer II is a bilateral training exercise hosted by the Norwegian military to increase support capabilities between NATO allies in extreme conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William Chockey)

U.S. Marines Complete Norway Deployment for Arctic Warfare Training

U.S. Marines and Sailors from Marine Rotational Force-Europe completed their intensive arctic training Sunday, marking the end of a six-week deployment to Setermoen, Norway, and have returned to their home station, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

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New Leadership Takes Charge at Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa

PANZER KASERNE, Boeblingen, Germany (July8, 2020) – Marines, Sailors and civilians from U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa took part in a socially distanced change of command ceremony, as well as a post-and-relief ceremony, today to mark the appointment of their new commander and sergeant major.

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review documents during turnover of the forward resuscitative surgical system in Sigonella, Italy - U.S. Navy Sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Africa 20.1 and 20.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, review documents during turnover of the forward resuscitative surgical system in Sigonella, Italy, May 28, 2020. SPMAGTF-CR-AF 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nello Miele)

New Marine Crisis Response Force Takes the Reins

U.S. Marines and Sailors participated in a socially distanced transfer of authority yesterday, marking the passing of the torch from the outgoing Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa to the new contingent.

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